Chapter 65: The Pavilion of Blazing Flame

Two hours later, the flight departing from Tianzun City landed punctually at Yicheng Airport.

Following the two sisters, Zhou Yan disembarked and soon entered the terminal.

“By the way, Ke, why did you tag along as well?” Zhou Yan teased as he took Luo Ke’s large backpack.

“Hmph!” Luo Ke shot him a glare. “Seriously? You and Sis both coming to Yicheng, leaving a delicate, helpless beauty like me back home? How could you be at ease?”

“Your room is practically an armory. Calling yourself delicate and helpless is shameless,” Luo Xuan retorted coldly from the side.

Luo Ke immediately bristled. “What are you saying? Those are just little handmade crafts, hardly weapons.”

“Funny. Try bringing just one of those through airport security and see what happens,” Luo Xuan sneered.

Luo Ke fell silent, scratching her head with an awkward smile.

Her eyes suddenly brightened. “But at least one thing made it through…”

She grabbed Zhou Yan’s left arm—he wore a black glove to conceal something.

Luo Ke tapped the back of his hand, producing a dull thudding sound.

“At least my ‘Luo Arm’ came with us. Pretty impressive, right?” Luo Ke looked proud.

Zhou Yan grinned, flexing the mechanical hand to play along.

Luo Xuan glanced at her, too uninterested to argue, shouldering her own backpack and picking up a rather distinctive case before leading the way.

Zhou Yan noticed the silver, metallic suitcase: at one corner, a carving depicted a Yinglong dragon encircled by crimson firebirds.

Could this be Luo Xuan’s “Divine Machine Weapon”?

Luo Ke made a face at her sister’s back, then turned to beckon Zhou Yan forward. He shook his head with a faint smile and followed the sisters, scanning the surroundings.

Inside the vast airport, groups of people in uniforms matching theirs—white with red trim—moved in clusters toward the exits.

These teams had responded to the call of the Lihuo Pavilion in Yicheng, gathering from various subordinate cities to attend the “Exchange Conference” as members of the Southern Ming Sword Hall.

A few seconds later, Zhou Yan’s gaze sharpened as it met another’s.

It was Zheng Keren, the son of Master Zheng.

His look toward Zhou Yan, paired with his expression, bluntly conveyed his thoughts: contempt, and… perhaps a hint of jealousy?

Noticing Zhou Yan’s attention, Zheng Keren curled his lip and casually withdrew his gaze.

A young man about his age sidled up and chuckled, “Zheng, that one-eyed fellow looks all high and mighty, but he’s a bit of an eyesore.”

As Zheng Keren’s lackey, the youth was adept at reading people; a quick glance revealed his boss’s interest in the Luo sisters. He spoke up, hitting Zheng Keren right where it itched.

Zheng Keren smirked and shook his head, feigning indifference. “Zhao Jie, isn’t Luo Hall’s best student some guy named Yan? I heard he wasn’t crippled.”

Zhao Jie replied with information he’d just picked up. “Hey, Zheng, turns out Yan Yong suddenly dropped out yesterday for some unknown reason. So this one-eyed guy was probably drafted last-minute by Luo Xuan.”

Zheng Keren nodded. “Luo Xuan’s got looks, but her judgment’s awful. If she’s bringing someone to fill the ranks, at least pick a normal guy.”

“Hehe.” Zhao Jie snickered. “Isn’t this your chance? I hear Master Luo is a fierce one. Since our sword hall is from Tianzun City too, we’ll definitely face them. If you give that one-eyed kid a good thrashing and show your strength, wouldn’t that…”

“Comparable skills, a match of talent and beauty…”

He left the rest unsaid, but it made Zheng Keren’s eyes flash. He stared hotly at the departing figures of Luo Xuan and Luo Ke, unable to resist licking his lips.

No one noticed—a black locust quietly clung beneath Zhao Jie’s backpack.

*

Zhou Yan pursed his lips. He hadn’t picked up any useful intel from the lust-addled Zheng Keren, leaving him a bit speechless.

He followed Luo Xuan and Luo Ke out of the airport and soon boarded a rideshare.

“Where are we headed?” Zhou Yan asked from the front seat, glancing back at the sisters.

“The Lihuo Pavilion has its own high-rise apartment,” Luo Xuan said, stroking the metallic case before her. “We’ll settle in there directly.”

Luo Ke pressed close, eyes shining. “Sis, once we get to the apartment, let me study this ‘Divine Machine’ a bit.”

“In your dreams.” Luo Xuan shot her a glare. “Back off!”

“Oh, come on! Dad left it to us; I should get a share too.” Luo Ke protested, reaching for the case.

Luo Xuan slapped her hand away. “This Divine Machine was allocated by Vermilion Bird Palace for the sword hall master. I inherited the position, so it’s mine. If you want one, train hard. Surpass me in swordsmanship and it’s yours.”

“Pfft.” Luo Ke withdrew her hand in annoyance. “Big deal. Give me some time, I’ll make my own set and crush yours.”

“Oh? I’ll be waiting,” Luo Xuan replied offhandedly, making Luo Ke sulk back into her seat.

Zhou Yan turned and smiled, unable to help but sigh.

The old saying was true—the closer siblings are, the more they quarrel.

...

Yicheng’s airport was on the outskirts.

After about an hour’s drive, with several bouts of traffic, their rideshare stopped before a massive gate at the city center.

“We’re here. Let’s go,” Luo Xuan said softly, leading the way out.

Zhou Yan grabbed the luggage and followed the sisters, looking up at the building before them.

Beyond the vast, unadorned gateway was a wide plaza; behind it rose a sprawling modern complex, its two towers each soaring over a hundred meters.

Truth be told, Zhou Yan had expected the Lihuo Pavilion to be some ancient-looking structure.

He couldn’t help but ask, “Is this the Lihuo Pavilion?”

“Strictly speaking, it’s the ‘Yicheng Lihuo Pavilion.’ The tower to the left is the office building; the one to the right is the apartment tower, and the lower structure is the amenities wing,” Luo Xuan explained, then strode ahead.

“We need to check in first.”

Luo Ke bounced along behind her. “Sis, last time I was here, one of the buildings wasn’t even finished yet. Looks so luxurious now.”

“That was three years ago,” Luo Xuan replied coldly. “Rather than marveling at this, you should focus on your studies.”

“Oh, please. I’ve already gotten into Vermilion Bird University. Are you still pressuring me to study?” Luo Ke protested.

“College isn’t free of studying. I hear the Divine Machine Department, their flagship major, is fiercely competitive,” Luo Xuan said mercilessly.

Zhou Yan followed the sisters into the Lihuo Pavilion grounds. The imposing buildings pressed in around him, stirring a strange feeling in his heart.

This, perhaps, would be the starting point for his clashes with the world’s many formidable figures.

***