Volume One, Chapter 124: The Dragon Vein of Great Xia.

Jiang Chen and Shen Huaizhu’s subtle assistance naturally caught Li Changsheng’s attention.

At that moment, Li Changsheng felt a surge of secret delight, and when he glanced over at Liuli, his heart felt even lighter.

The next day during the daytime, Jiang Chen and Li Changsheng directly brought Wu Gang back to the 509 Institute and then fetched the two elders as well.

Wu Gang was quite capable. Li Changsheng believed that the 509 Institute was currently in urgent need of personnel; having one more person meant an additional support. However, Wu Gang couldn’t exactly be counted as a normal person—he was more like half human, half stone.

Wu Gang said that he had been resurrected by borrowing the power of the stone, which was quite a miracle.

Jiang Chen thought this mountain region must have its mysteries. The Lingqin area was indeed abundant in spiritual energy, something he had heard about. But the Kunlun Mountains were even richer in spiritual energy, so he had never been to Lingqin. If the opportunity arose, he wouldn’t mind visiting the Lingqin region.

Soon, Li Changsheng finished arranging the work.

“Where shall we go for a meal? After working so many days, we really need to make up for it properly,” he said.

Liuli raised her hand. “I propose we soak in a hot spring first to relax, then decide what to eat.”

Shen Huaizhu nodded in agreement. “I have no objections.”

Jiang Chen said, “Then let our boss Li arrange it.”

Li Changsheng immediately made a call, probably contacting someone.

Shortly after, a business van arrived to pick up the four of them.

On the way, Li Changsheng said, “Now that this matter is settled, should we head to the Celestial Masters’ Assembly? But I recall it won’t start for a while. Isn’t it too early to go?”

Liuli propped her chin on her hand. “Yes, that’s what I was thinking too. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have jumped off the vehicle. Just the thought of going back to early classes every day makes me want to die.”

Shen Huaizhu smiled. “I didn’t expect you to run away just to avoid the tasks the master assigns. I remember you used to enjoy listening to them. What happened? Got annoyed?”

Liuli said, “It’s not my fault. Who wouldn’t get tired of the same thing over and over again? And having to get up early in winter is just exhausting.”

See, no one likes early morning classes. Jiang Chen was now glad he hadn’t attended school for many days; otherwise, he’d have to join the college students for those early classes.

But then he thought, the hardships he endured were likely no less than others’. It was just that his desire for revenge dimmed his perception of those difficulties. So whenever it was mentioned, he felt lighter. But that lightness came only after making peace with himself.

Back then, Jiang Chen must have been just like them—full of grievances. But for the sake of revenge, all that trembling and fear became insignificant.

Following Liuli’s idea, the group decided to soak in the hot springs. Since Liuli felt it was inappropriate for men and women to soak together, she went off alone with Shen Huaizhu.

---

In the hot spring, steam rose from the warm water, while Li Changsheng wore a look of disappointment.

“Sigh...” he sighed.

Jiang Chen shot him a glance. “If you like her, then go after her. You just follow Liuli around all day; I’m worried about you, you hopeless guy.”

“I... I don’t dare. I’m not like you, with so many admirers. What if I get rejected? I’d become a clown. I’d never be able to let it go,” Li Changsheng explained.

This sense of helplessness, Jiang Chen wondered who he had learned it from. Jiang Chen said, “So you’re just going to procrastinate? If you keep delaying days, months, or even years, you won’t have to let it go anymore—she might have moved on.”

Li Changsheng shook his head and put on a look that said, “You don’t understand love.”

“True love must be built slowly, relying on each other and overcoming hardships before finally coming together—that’s real love.”

Jiang Chen scoffed. “Changsheng, I just checked the time. At eight tonight, you’re going to the circus?”

Li Changsheng thought it was another mission and stood up quickly. “Is there some situation?”

Jiang Chen said, “The circus has your show.”

This was the feeling of being angry at someone’s lack of ambition—Jiang Chen felt it deeply.

Rejecting early or late was inevitable. Why not just say it sooner? Besides, what if you succeed?

If you succeed, everyone’s happy. If not, you cry it out. Isn’t that better?

Cry for one day, then move on with new experiences.

Li Changsheng soaked quietly in the pool, lost in thought.

“Stay and soak yourself; I’m going to get something to eat,” Jiang Chen said disdainfully as he stepped out.

He feared catching that helpless mood himself.

The bathhouse they visited was the largest in Dongshan Province, truly well-equipped: bathing on the second floor, gym on the third, buffet on the fourth, lounge on the fifth, and guest rooms on the sixth.

Jiang Chen planned to eat on the fourth floor to lift his spirits after just being annoyed.

Coincidentally, Shen Huaizhu was also eating there. Jiang Chen grabbed two steaks and sat down beside her.

He purposely left space for Liuli and Li Changsheng. If Li Changsheng came over now, he’d be deeply moved.

---

Seeing Jiang Chen sit down, Shen Huaizhu shifted closer to lean against the window.

“In the next day or two, will you and Liuli return to Longhushan to wait?” she asked softly.

“That’s right. We’ve been out for quite some time. Our master must be anxious. Going back earlier will ease his worries,” Shen Huaizhu replied.

Jiang Chen nodded silently. He guessed Shen Huaizhu had already told Liuli.

Soon, Liuli arrived, accompanied by Li Changsheng. However, Li Changsheng’s face was grim, and he held a phone in hand.

Something must have happened.

Jiang Chen looked at him curiously. An ordinary call wouldn’t be more important than Liuli’s presence. The only possibility was that the call was from the 509 Institute.

But hadn’t the situation at 509 been resolved already?

Why would they call now?

After hanging up, everyone looked at Li Changsheng.

Liuli asked, “Did your organization assign you a mission?”

But considering the secrecy required for 509 Institute’s work, she quickly added, “If you’re worried, you don’t have to say.”

Li Changsheng waved his hand. “It’s not really a secret. It’s just this mission is dangerous. The 509 Institute is currently short on manpower. Headquarters just gave me an assignment to go to the Lingqin region.”

Liuli was curious. “Is it related to the Qingshan Bronze Mirror?”

Such speculation made sense; people often linked recent events. It was natural for Liuli to associate it with the 509 Institute.

Jiang Chen said, “Judging by your expression, this must be serious. Otherwise, you wouldn’t look like this.”

Li Changsheng’s tone was tense. “...The island nation has sent people trying to sever the dragon vein of Great Xia!”

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