After all the necessary arrangements were made, everyone left the Taoist temple one after another.
On the way back.
Xu Qin chose to sit in the front passenger seat. She neither wanted to sit with Lu Ming nor with Jiang Mengxin. She had a hurdle in her heart.
This hurdle, she had to overcome!
Through the rearview mirror, Xu Qin stared intently at Jiang Mengxin, planning her next scheme.
The daughter she had lost, she had to get back!
As the car drove into the city, they encountered a road closure. Upon inquiring, they learned that two main roads were being used as a marathon course and would be temporarily closed until the marathon concluded the next day.
"Marathon?" Jiang Mengxin said curiously, "Since when does Jinling host such events?"
Xu Qin said coldly, "It happens every year, you just don't pay attention. However, this year's marathon seems to have a special meaning, commemorating the soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives in past wars."
"Oh?" Jiang Mengxin looked out the window and saw staff members wearing small red flags printed on their uniforms. She said, "It seems to have a special meaning indeed."
At the same time, Lu Ming's interest was also piqued.
He loved participating in events that commemorated soldiers and civilians, so he unhesitatingly signed up!
"I want to participate too," Lu Ming told the staff directly.
Xu Qin scoffed coldly, "He wants to run a full marathon? Pfft, don't collapse halfway from exhaustion! If he dies, it would be less of a hassle for me."
Jiang Mengxin rolled her eyes and sighed. She wondered how long the conflict between her mother and Lu Ming would last.
Alas, she could only take it one step at a time.
...
Jinling, White Lotus Sect, Yuenan Church.
Star Emissary Peng Ying was enjoying music, her eyes closed, listening to the melodious tunes that filled her with a sense of peace.
A few footsteps approached, and her deputy, He Honghui, entered the room.
He coughed deliberately to alert Peng Ying to his presence.
Peng Ying opened her eyes and looked at him, asking in a deep voice, "What is it?"
He Honghui replied, "It's about tomorrow's Jinling Full Marathon. Mr. Ozawa Gonyya, a marathon champion from Sakura Country, has arrived. Should I invite him in to meet with you, Star Emissary?"
Full Marathon?
Peng Ying rubbed her forehead, recalling that there was indeed such an event.
Tomorrow's full marathon was being held to commemorate the compatriots who sacrificed in Jinling's past. A full marathon, meaning running the entire 42-kilometer distance, was a sport that severely tested endurance.
It was difficult for ordinary people to complete.
The Jinling authorities chose to hold the full marathon tomorrow to let the people who sacrificed in the war feel the strength of the people and know that Jinling had never forgotten them.
It was a marathon event of great significance.
Many people had already registered.
For some reason, the higher echelons of the White Lotus Sect attached great importance to this marathon and had specially invited Ozawa Gonyya, a 12-time full marathon champion from Sakura Country!
It was evident how seriously the White Lotus Sect's leadership viewed this sporting event.
Peng Ying was tasked with receiving Ozawa Gonyya.
Originally, Moon Emissary Shi Hengxiao was supposed to handle it, but he was shot dead a few days ago. Thus, the task fell to Peng Ying.
Peng Ying frowned slightly, clearly displeased, "Why should I do Shi Hengxiao's work? He's dead, and I have to clean up his mess? Why isn't Sun Emissary doing it? This is infuriating."
He Honghui smiled, "I think this is a good thing. The two Great Protectors assigning Moon Emissary's duties to you might be a test. If you can complete the task excellently, perhaps the two Great Protectors will appoint you as the Moon Emissary!"
Oh?
Hearing this, Peng Ying's spirits lifted.
"You know how to talk," Peng Ying's expression immediately brightened.
He Honghui lowered his head slightly, thinking to himself: Of course, I know how to talk! You, a capricious female demon who would skin people alive at any moment, have already gotten rid of those who couldn't talk!
Only He Honghui could stay by Peng Ying's side. The reason was simple: He Honghui was adept at understanding Peng Ying's moods.
"Let's go, take me to meet that little devil," Peng Ying stood up and walked out.
They proceeded to the reception hall.
There, a young man with a small mustache sat on a chair. Beside him on the coffee table were fruits, pastries, and tea, with two female attendants serving him, showing utmost care.
This was the "little devil" who had specifically traveled from Sakura Country – Ozawa Gonyya.
Ozawa Gonyya glanced at Peng Ying and said ungraciously, "You must be the person in charge of Yuenan Church? What's going on? Don't you know to come out and greet guests in advance? I've been here for half an hour, and you're only showing up now? You have no manners at all. I don't know how the two Great Protectors have such an unreliable subordinate. You're so incompetent; I think you should be removed. Star Emissary, pfft."
It had to be said that Ozawa Gonyya's Mandarin was quite standard, indicating he had studied the language diligently.
However, his words were like knives, each one piercing Peng Ying's vitals!
Peng Ying's expression immediately turned cold. In Jinling, no one dared to speak to her like this. How dare he!
"Presumptuous!"
Peng Ying let out a furious roar, lunged forward, and raised her hand to slap Ozawa Gonyya's face.
Ozawa Gonyya chuckled and grabbed Peng Ying's wrist.
His strength was immense. The slender Peng Ying was no match for him and was immediately controlled by Ozawa Gonyya.
"Little brat, you dare to make a move?"
Ozawa Gonyya leered at Peng Ying, licked his lips, and said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk, you're quite attractive, a beautiful embryo. Hmm, I understand now. The two Great Protectors chose you to entertain me, probably intending for you to satisfy me with your body, right? Heh heh, then I won't be polite."
So arrogant!
On White Lotus Sect territory, daring to speak to a Star Emissary like this, Ozawa Gonyya was indeed a bold one.
However, anyone who understood Peng Ying's temper knew that this Ozawa Gonyya was in for trouble.
As expected.
Just as Ozawa Gonyya reached out his hand to roughly grasp Peng Ying's chest, a five-centimeter-long centipede suddenly emerged from Peng Ying's sleeve!
This centipede was colorful, as if a rainbow was printed on its body.
The centipede opened its mouth and bit down on Ozawa Gonyya's wrist.
Instantly, Ozawa Gonyya felt an electric shock, his entire body in pain, burning like fire.
"Ah!!!"
Ozawa Gonyya let out a pig-like scream and writhed on the ground.
This was his first time in Jinling, his first encounter with Peng Ying. How could he know the power of this woman? Peng Ying was a viperous woman who made even demons retreat.
Messing with her was simply inviting disaster.