Chapter 750: Old Xiao's Gift

"How did you know where I was?" Chen Ling asked his question directly.

On the other end of the phone, Lu Xun's voice paused for a moment.

"Actually, I don't know your location... But when I was with the exploration team, I saw that you were especially caring toward Yang Xiao. Plus, the research institute told me that Yang Xiao didn't go back at all but went missing, so I thought maybe you two were together... So, I made a call to try my luck."

“……”

Lu Xun's observation was much sharper than Chen Ling had imagined. However, being found wasn't a big deal for him. If Lu Xun and his team really wanted to do him harm, he could disappear into the vast crowd at any time.

"What do you want with me?"

"Director Chen... um, since I don't know your true identity, I'll just call you Director Chen for now," Lu Xun said cautiously. "Please believe me, I have no malice... If possible, I hope we can meet."

Chen Ling's eyebrows arched slightly. "I'm a stranger with an unknown background; aren't you afraid I'm some kind of villain?"

"Director Chen is joking. If you had any designs on us, I'm afraid none of us would have made it out of Shennongjia... And if you hadn't stepped in to kill those monsters at the time, we would have died long ago."

Hearing this, Chen Ling fell into deep thought.

To be honest, he was interested in the Nine Monarchs themselves. Since he could enter the Era Archive, he naturally had to contact the Nine Monarchs as much as possible to see if he could learn any news about the other era... And Lu Xun himself was the one who gathered the Nine Monarchs, a figure with a special status. Meeting him was naturally a good thing.

He didn't hesitate for too long and readily agreed:

"Alright, are you coming to find me? Or should I come to find you?"

"If possible, please come to find me," Lu Xun paused for a moment. "My current situation is a bit special, and I can't leave easily... I'm really sorry."

Then, the other end of the phone gave a string of addresses, which Chen Ling secretly noted in his heart.

"There is one more uninvited request: when you come, it's best to avoid surveillance and the attention of others. I believe this isn't difficult for you."

For Chen Ling, this was of course not difficult. Even if Lu Xun hadn't mentioned it, he would have done so anyway... After all, the modern world was full of "eyes," and with Chen Ling's identity, he definitely had to be careful.

But the more he listened, the more confused Chen Ling became. He couldn't help but ask:

"What exactly is your situation there?"

"It's a long story... We'll talk in detail when you arrive."

"...Alright."

After hanging up the phone, Yang Xiao couldn't help but ask.

Chen Ling briefly explained the content of the conversation, and Yang Xiao's brows immediately furrowed...

"Something happened to Old Lu? How could this be..."

"This call was also made from a public phone," Chen Ling sensed some communication information and said in a deep voice. "It seems that rather than an invitation, this is more like a plea for help."

"I'll go with you," Yang Xiao said without hesitation. "Old Lu is a good friend of mine for many years. If he's in danger, I can't just sit by and watch..."

Chen Ling didn't refuse. After all, he wasn't familiar with Lu Xun. Having Yang Xiao there meant someone could speak for him. After all, he was protecting Su Zhiwei and fighting wits and courage with the Emperor God Path forces; if he said it himself, Lu Xun might not believe him.

"I'll go too," Su Zhiwei walked over from the side.

Hearing this, Yao Qing, who was taking care of his grandmother nearby, pricked up his ears and looked at them eagerly, seemingly wanting to speak up to keep Su Zhiwei, but after struggling for a long time, he silently closed his mouth.

"Dr. Su, you should stay."

"Why?"

"You are the primary target of Ying Fu. Once you are exposed, it will lead to endless pursuit... Now that the 'Hunter' has been dealt with, you have completely escaped their sight and are safe. There is no need to take risks by returning to the public eye."

Su Zhiwei opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something more, but eventually fell into deep thought.

I don't know how long it took, but she nodded:

"Alright... You're right. If I act with you now, it will only bring you greater risks."

Su Zhiwei was logic-first, after all. Although she wasn't afraid of danger, she certainly didn't want to cause trouble for Chen Ling and the others. As Chen Ling said, the best choice now was for her to hide in a safe place and not show her face easily.

"I'll leave you my number. If you need my help later, just call me," Su Zhiwei took out her phone.

"No problem."

Actually, Chen Ling had two other considerations for letting Su Zhiwei stay. First, if Su Zhiwei stayed, Xiao Chunping could protect her. She was a Sixth-Stage expert, which was already quite rare in this era. Su Zhiwei staying was definitely safer than following him. As for the second...

Chen Ling took a deep look at Yao Qing, who was full of excitement in the distance, and sighed in his heart.

Chen Ling knew the future of Yao Qing and Su Zhiwei. This couple would experience too much suffering and twists and turns. At least in this relatively stable era, let them spend more time together... It could be considered leaving them some beautiful memories.

Chen Ling and Yang Xiao packed up and said goodbye to Yao Qing and the others.

"Little friend Chen Ling."

Xiao Chunping walked over slowly, supported by Yao Qing.

Chen Ling looked back in confusion and saw Xiao Chunping take out a handwritten roster from somewhere and hand it to Chen Ling.

"This is..."

"Little friend Chen Ling, keep this," Xiao Chunping's wrinkled face curled into a kind smile.

"I'm old and can't help you much... However, I still have some connections in this circle.

This roster is a list of friends I made when I participated in several intangible cultural heritage exchange meetings. They are as special as I am... It marks the cities where they roughly live and their contact numbers. If you encounter any trouble you can't solve, just call them directly.

As long as you mention my name, they will give you some face and help you out."

Chen Ling looked at the roster in his hand, his eyes full of surprise... He never expected to receive such a gift before leaving.

This wasn't just a roster... This was completely a modern random summoning guide!

"Thank you, Senior!!" Chen Ling solemnly put away the roster and bowed deeply.

After saying goodbye again, Chen Ling and Yang Xiao walked through the ruins of the museum and went straight to the side of the road.

Chen Ling waved to stop a car, then skillfully opened the door, transferred money, asked the person to get out, and then stepped on the gas pedal to the end, roaring away in the stunned face of the car owner!

Yang Xiao was already used to Chen Ling's behavior. He sat in the passenger seat naturally, fastened his seat belt, and looked toward the museum through the window:

"The museum is destroyed... Can they still stay here?"

"I heard them say just now that they have another house in the suburbs and will go there to recuperate for a while."

"That's fine."

Chen Ling suddenly asked while driving:

"So, this Lu Xun... what kind of person is he exactly?"