Chapter 1658: Old Man Cao

Tang Wulin had only met her for the first time recently, but Liu Jingyun had known her for a long time, and he was wondering whether all of the scientists of the Tang Sect would revolt against Tang Wulin if they were to witness this scene...

After a brief hesitation, Tang Wulin decided to withdraw his arm to avoid the awkward situation that would eventuate once she woke up.

However, just as he was preparing to carefully pull back his own arm, Ling Zichen's voice suddenly rang out. "Don't move; let me sleep for a while longer."

Tang Wulin faltered slightly upon hearing this before looking down to find that her eyes were still shut, and she was curled up into a ball like an obedient kitten.

Tang Wulin opened his mouth to say something, but didn't say anything in the end, and soon, Ling Zichen's breathing evened out again.

Tang Wulin discovered that even though Ling Zichen wasn't a powerful Soul Master, she was very adept at controlling her own body. Otherwise, he wouldn't have failed to discover that she had already woken up. However, once she began drooling onto his shoulder, he knew that she had finally fallen asleep again.

The car drove into Heaven Dou City, and Ling Zichen suddenly sat up, leaving Tang Wulin's arm feeling rather cold and exposed in the absence of her warmth.

Ling Zichen's eyes were still shut, and she leaned back into her seat as she said, "Don't overthink it; I was only borrowing your shoulder, and I let you take advantage of me, so neither of us owes the other anything."

Tang Wulin really wanted to issue a retort, but he chose the chivalrous route and remained silent in the end. Furthermore, Ling Zichen's cries for her father were still reverberating in his mind.

Even a domineering woman like her was fragile on the inside.

"Sect Master Tang, Big Sister Ling, we're here." Liu Jingyun parked the car in the underground carpark before opening Tang Wulin and Ling Zichen's doors for them.

The two of them got out of the car, and Ling Zichen immediately walked away as if she were intentionally keeping her distance from Tang Wulin.

Liu Jingyun took a glance at Tang Wulin, and there was a strange look in his eyes.

Tang Wulin glared at him, and Liu Jingyun immediately looked away, but there was clearly an amused smile on his face. It was exactly because he had known Ling Zichen for a long time that he could identify the special treatment she was giving Tang Wulin.

After entering the underground world of the Tang Sect's Heaven Dou City branch, Ling Zichen continued to lead from the front while Tang Wulin trailed along behind her.

Along the way, they naturally encountered some disciples of the Tang Sect, all of whom would immediately stop at the sight of Ling Zichen, then take a reflexive step backward before extending a respectful greeting toward her. The same level of respect was extended toward Tang Wulin as well, but they were clearly a lot more relieved to be seeing him.

What kind of image did everyone have of this woman?

"Where are you, Old Man Cao?" Ling Zichen made a call as she walked, and Tang Wulin couldn't help but stumble upon hearing this, only just barely catching himself before he could fall over.

It was clear who this "Old Man Cao" was.

Tang Wulin had a lot of respect for the two Limit Douluos of the Tang Sect, so he was quite stunned to hear this informal title.

Furthermore, Ling Zichen was speaking to "Old Man Cao" as if they were family, rather than in a haughty and impolite manner.

Ling Zichen turned and glared at Tang Wulin, who had only just steadied himself, then said, "Alright, we're coming now."

Tang Wulin knew that engaging in a war of words would be unwise, so he merely remained silent. Liu Jingyun's expression remained unchanged, so it was clear that Ling Zichen had been referring to Cao Dezhi as such for a long time.

After arriving at Cao Dezhi's office, the first thing that Tang Wulin wanted to blurt out was "please take this madwoman back"!

"Old Man Cao!" A rare smile appeared on Ling Zichen's face, and she rushed forward before diving into Cao Dezhi's arms.

Cao Dezhi also wore a doting smile as he gently stroked her long hair. "Don't you think you're a little too old to be skipping around like a little girl?"

Tang Wulin felt as if there were 10,000 mechas stampeding over his heart. Was this woman really still the same person?!

Cao Dezhi then turned to Tang Wulin with a smile. "Sect Master."

"Greetings, Your Majesty." Tang Wulin reflexively extended a military salute toward Cao Dezhi. This was a lingering habit from the Blood God Legion; in his heart, Cao Dezhi was still Blood One.

Liu Jingyun exited the room, and Cao Dezhi patted Ling Zichen, who was unwilling to let go of him, and said, "Alright, let's discuss some official matters first."

Only then did Ling Zichen release him, and after all three of them took a seat, Tang Wulin relayed the information he had received from Long Yeyue once again.

"What's your plan?" Cao Dezhi asked.

Tang Wulin paused momentarily before taking a glance at Ling Zichen, who immediately began glowering at him. "What? Are you trying to keep secrets from me?"

Tang Wulin said, "Your Majesty, I wish to speak to you about my plan alone. It's not that I don't trust Head Researcher Ling; I'm simply worried that she may unintentionally expose the plan."

Ling Zichen immediately flared up with rage. "What are you trying to say, Tang Wulin? Are you saying I only have big boobs but no brain?"

Tang Wulin's eyelids twitched slightly upon hearing this. "Don't put words into my mouth; all I'm saying is that the fewer people that know the exact details of the plan, the better."

Ling Zichen stabbed a finger in his direction and was just about to let loose a scathing tirade when Cao Dezhi scolded with a strict expression, "Don't be so unprofessional in the presence of the Sect Master, Zichen. Go and rest in the other room for now."

Ling Zichen took a glance at him, then gave an indignant harrumph before departing.

Following her departure, Cao Dezhi said, "I need to give you a detailed run-down of the situation in the Battle God Hall."

Tang Wulin nodded in response.

Cao Dezhi continued, "As a Soul Master organization under the direct jurisdiction of the federation, the Battle God Hall has gathered all of the powerful beings under the federation's direct command. Its headquarters is situated in the mountain range to the west of Bright City, and that mountain range is a military control zone guarded by both the Battle God Hall and the Central Legion, which is under the federal government's jurisdiction. The Central Legion is one of the federation's most elite legions, and it's mainly responsible for guarding Bright City alongside the Sea God Legion.

"Hence, if you want to enter the Battle God Hall headquarters, you'll have to pass through the Central Legion as the Battle God Hall headquarters is situated in the core area of the Central Legion."

Tang Wulin was quite surprised to hear this. "The Battle God Hall Master is the Boundless Ocean Douluo, who's also the commander of the Sea God Legion, so why is the Battle God Hall situated in the Central Legion?"

Cao Dezhi replied, "This was intentionally designed by the federation. Chen Xinjie is a leading figure in the military, but not the only one. There needs to be a power balance or massive unrest could result. The official reasoning for this arrangement is so that the Central Legion can protect the Battle God Hall, but in reality, it's more to supervise the Battle God Hall. As such, the Battle God Hall and the Central Legion aren't on good terms with one another."