Chapter 230 - 229: I Have a Condition

Chapter 230: Chapter 229: I Have a Condition

The trio—two adults and a child—had been drawing attention from the moment they walked in. Coupled with their earlier conversation with President Wu, many who overheard were now watching them, whether intentionally or not, and speculating about their origins.

Of course, the ones gossiping so freely were those who didn’t recognize Huo Yunjing. Those who did wouldn’t dare utter his name, let alone risk a stray glance in his direction.

As they headed toward Dongfang Lingjun, many people, unable to contain their curiosity, quietly edged a little closer.

It just goes to show, no matter one’s power or status, human curiosity is a constant.

"Senior Dongfang," Huo Yunjing said with a faint smile, handing the birthday gift to the assistant behind Dongfang Lingjun.

Dongfang Lingjun was pleasantly surprised to see him. "What a rarity. I can’t believe you found the time to come celebrate this old man’s birthday."

His voice was pitched just right for those nearby to hear clearly, which only deepened their astonishment. Who on earth was this man? It sounded as if his mere presence at the banquet was an honor he was bestowing.

Huo Yunjing offered a faint smile. "I’m not busy at the moment, and it just so happens I have a favor to ask."

Dongfang Lingjun’s interest was piqued. He looked over at Gu Qingyin and Huo Xingchen, his gaze pausing for a noticeable moment when it landed on the boy. "And this is...?"

Huo Xingchen beamed. "Hello, Grandpa! My name is Huo Xingchen." After introducing himself, he recited a string of birthday wishes that made the old man’s face crinkle with laughter.

Huo Xingchen took the birthday gift from his mother’s hands. "This is the gift Mom and I prepared for you. I hope you like it."

Of the many people who had presented gifts, this was the first Dongfang Lingjun accepted with his own hands. Without even looking at it, he smiled and said, "Grandpa likes it very much. Thank you, Little Xingchen." With the gift in one hand, he reached out with the other to take Huo Xingchen’s. "How about Grandpa takes you to sit over there, and we can have a little chat, hm?"

Huo Xingchen obediently reached out and took his hand. As they walked off, he didn’t forget to look back and gesture for his mom to follow.

Gu Qingyin hadn’t said a single word, yet she felt they were already off to a great start. She gave Huo Xingchen a thumbs-up. ’That’s my boy!’

Huo Xingchen grinned, then turned back to continue chatting sweetly with the old man.

Gu Qingyin and Huo Yunjing quietly followed.

The secretly watching crowd exchanged glances of consternation. So they really *did* know Dongfang Lingjun. Of all the people here, who else had received such treatment?

President Wu, hidden amongst the guests, felt his heart hammering in his chest. He was immensely relieved that no major conflict had erupted just now; otherwise, he might have ended up dead without ever knowing why. As relief washed over him, his view of Lin Xiao soured, and he found the sight of her more and more irritating.

Lin Xiao was also reeling. ’How did Gu Qingyin get in with Dongfang Lingjun? It must be because of that man with her!’ She bit her lip, her heart seizing with dread. ’Is she going to get revenge on me? No, I can’t just sit here and wait for it to happen.’

Just as she had that thought, her arm was suddenly flung away. Lin Xiao looked over in surprise.

President Wu’s face was cold. "Let’s end it here. I can’t afford a woman like you. Once we walk out this door today, let’s not see each other again." After speaking, he turned and left without a backward glance.

Lin Xiao was stunned into silence, furious but daring not to show it. She could feel the mocking stares of everyone around her and desperately wished she could flee. But she couldn’t.

She had worked too hard to get into a banquet of this caliber. If she could just play her cards right, a meteoric rise was still within reach.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath, straightened her posture, and carried a glass of wine to a corner to start scouting for her next target.

Meanwhile, Dongfang Lingjun led the group to a private reception room. His perceptive assistant closed the door from the outside and, as expected, took up a post to stand guard until they re-emerged.

"Senior Dongfang, hello. I’m Gu Qingyin, Xingchen’s mother." Gu Qingyin offered a faint smile. "I came today to ask you to set up an Array."

Dongfang Lingjun was inwardly shocked. ’When did Huo Yunjing get married and have a son? And how has there not been a single whisper about it?’

He had seen Huo Yunjing as a boy. While Huo Xingchen wasn’t an exact replica of his father at that age, the resemblance was a good eighty or ninety percent. No one would ever doubt they were father and son.

Gu Qingyin’s identity, however, did surprise him. He’d assumed she was just someone seeking a favor, not Huo Xingchen’s mother.

Huo Xingchen had mentioned it, he now recalled, but the boy was so adorable that he had been completely focused on teasing him, the detail flying right over his head.

After a moment of silence, Dongfang Lingjun asked, "What kind of Array? Is even Master Huo not confident?"

Huo Yunjing offered some subtle praise. "My skills aren’t as specialized as yours. When it comes to Arrays, you are the true grandmaster."

Words like these, which were obvious flattery, would have been repulsive coming from a habitual sycophant. But coming from someone normally as proud and aloof as Huo Yunjing, they were enough to make the recipient beam with delight.

And Dongfang Lingjun was no exception.

He had been about to offer a few polite demurrers, but Huo Yunjing’s praise made it impossible to suppress his smile. Still, he responded with practiced humility, "I merely have more experience than you. By the time you reach my age, your accomplishments will surely surpass my own."

He paused, then took the initiative to ask, "What sort of Array is it?"

Gu Qingyin couldn’t help but sit up a little straighter. "A Space-Time Array."

Dongfang Lingjun’s expression faltered. "What level?"

Gu Qingyin blanked for a second. She only knew it needed to connect two worlds, which meant the level had to be extremely high. But as for the specifics...

Thankfully, Huo Yunjing picked up the conversation. "Special Level."

Dongfang Lingjun drew in a sharp breath and clicked his tongue. "You’ve certainly presented me with one heck of a challenge."

Huo Xingchen squeezed his large, aged hand. "Grandpa, you’re so amazing, you can definitely do it!"

Dongfang Lingjun tapped his little head. "Oh, you."

Huo Xingchen gave him an adorable, sweet smile.

After pondering for a moment, Dongfang Lingjun didn’t agree right away. Instead, he began to speak of the dangers of a Space-Time Array before finally asking, "Why do you want to build this Array?"

Gu Qingyin and Huo Yunjing exchanged a look. When the latter gave a slight nod, she said, "To go home."

’Since they were asking for help, there was no way to hide her and Huo Xingchen’s origins. It was better to be upfront from the beginning.’

Even for Dongfang Lingjun, who had lived over eighty years and was worldly and wise, this was his first encounter with people from another world. A thousand questions bubbled up inside him, but alas, the timing was wrong, and he had to regretfully set them aside.

Dongfang Lingjun had intended to get back to business, but the moment his eyes met Gu Qingyin’s, his thoughts went off track again. "So, you and Xingchen are the wife and child of the Huo Yunjing from another world?"

Gu Qingyin nodded. "That’s right. My soul transmigrated here. The Gu Qingyin of this world had just died, so I inhabited her body. When I go back, this body will die too."

Hearing this, Dongfang Lingjun’s heart skipped a beat, and his expression suddenly turned serious. "I can help you, but I have one condition."

Gu Qingyin’s eyes brightened slightly. "Please, tell me."

Dongfang Lingjun said, "After you leave, this body is mine."