Luo Yuxiang was speechless, for this indeed was an enigma that baffled them completely. He had even arranged for people to specifically tail Ma Lu, eager to see where Ma Lu would head after leaving the school.
But no matter how many trackers he assigned, they would ultimately be thrown off by Ma Lu, with so even witnessing Principal Ma take a position behind a tree, only to remain unseen five minutes later.
The trackers felt that sothing was amiss and circled round to find that Ma Lu had vanished.
Such occurrences in broad daylight were like sothing out of a ghost story.
However, over a month passed and Hero Group still managed to unearth quite a bit of information, at least confirming that none of the many forces in Xindu had any ties with Ma Lu.
Privately, Luo Yuxiang speculated that Ma Lu might have so connection with those Westerners, but he too was without evidence.
And even if there was a connection, Hero Group was not afraid, as the Westerners' sphere of influence was mainly concentrated along the coast, hardly ever penetrating deeply inland; their reach had not extended to Ping City.
"Ha, Principal Ma is truly as overbearing and mighty as the rumors claim, but after tonight, I'm curious whether you'll be able to maintain that arrogant deanor."
As Luo Yuxiang spoke, he pulled out a cigarette case and drew a cigarette from it to place between his lips. He first nodded in greeting to Cao Youyi.
"Teacher Cao, such a talented educator as yourself is truly wasted at Hou De. Heroic Concealnt happens to be in need of a director of academic affairs. I'm only standing in temporarily, but the person I truly have in mind is you."
"As long as you're willing, the doors of Heroic Concealnt are always wide open for you."
Cao Youyi shook his head, "I appreciate the gesture, Young Master Luo, but I shall not leave Hou De."
Luo Yuxiang didn't mind and turned his head towards Lu Yingying, blowing out a puff of smoke in her direction with a sowhat frivolous gesture.
"And which family's young lady might you be? I feel as though we've t sowhere before."
"Oh, this is Ms. Lu Yingying, the daughter of Mr. Lu, the president of Long Chang Chamber of Comrce."
The deputy editor of Ping City Daily was present tonight as well, but in comparison to the real VIPs in the banquet hall, his status seed sowhat lacking, and so he was seated near the entrance.
Seizing the rare opportunity to shine, he eagerly introduced her to Luo Yuxiang.
"Long Chang Chamber of Comrce? Oh, now I rember. Last March, did the secretary-general's youngest daughter not have her coming-of-age ceremony? Ms. Lu, were you not there as well..."
Lu Yingying smiled sweetly, "Last March, I was abroad, Young Master Luo, you must be mistaken."
Luo Yuxiang wanted to say more but then saw Ma Lu also take a cigarette from his pocket, much larger than the one in his hand, its end mixed with gold foil—a sign of a high-grade product.
This was a limited edition cigar given by the Hamande Cigarette Factory to celebrate a previous collaboration.
Compared with this cigar, the cigarette in Luo Yuxiang's mouth instantly lost its appeal.
Moreover, he later saw Lu Yingying co forward to personally clip the end of Ma Lu's cigar and light it.
Ma Lu drew on it and exhaled in Luo Yuxiang's face, saying impatiently, "Have you finished your pointless chatter? I ca here because I was invited to a banquet, not to listen to you recount your childhood."
Luo Yuxiang choked on the smoke and glared at Ma Lu, unable to utter a word. But just then, Luo Xiangshi's voice ca from inside the banquet hall.
"Yu Xiang, please let Principal Ma and the others in."
Luo Yuxiang snorted coldly, reluctantly stepping back half a step and gestured for them to enter with an unwelcoming wave of his hand.
And when Ma Lu walked into the banquet hall, he discarded the half-smoked cigarette in his hand as quickly as possible.
Ma Lu could be considered a prominent figure in Ping City recently, yet those who took the initiative to greet him upon his arrival at the banquet hall were few and far between.
Clearly, the guests that evening had already received so news in advance.
After exchanging a few brief pleasantries with several business partners, Ma Lu saw a middle-aged man with half-grey hair and a refined appearance, surrounded by a crowd, walking toward him.
As Ma Lu sized up Luo Xiangshi, Luo Xiangshi, was also evaluating Ma Lu.
Although this was the first ti they had t in person, they had actually crossed paths nurous tis before.
The Hero Group had consistently failed to gain any advantage over Hou De, but Luo Xiangshi had not co away empty-handed; at least, he had co to understand Ma Lu better and better.
This young man was nothing like the usual school principal. His style was tough and domineering, autocratic and independent, more like a warlord than a man of letters.
Seeing the man himself today only deepened this impression for Luo Xiangshi.
However, having lived half a lifeti and encountered many people, Luo Xiangshi had a way to deal with any kind of opponent. Without showing any outward change, he spoke again.
"My son ntioned earlier that there might be so misunderstandings between Principal Ma and us and feared you would not co tonight. But I knew that a hero like Principal Ma, once invited, could not fail to appear."
"Boss Luo flatters too much. Actually, I was quite worried that you might have dozens of ard n waiting in ambush in the banquet hall, ready to overwhelm and butcher as soon as I walked in.
"So I had my students co early and wait at the ihua Theater across the street. Boss Luo wouldn't be upset by that, would you?" Ma Lu said as he shook hands with Luo Xiangshi.
"Principal Ma jests," replied Luo Xiangshi.
"I'm not joking," Ma Lu said sternly. "The Hero Group has harassed my school ti and again and is deeply implicated in the death of the forr principal of Hou De, Cao Jinhua. As the current principal, naturally, I have to be more cautious."
None of the guests in attendance expected Ma Lu to be so direct, taking the offensive before even sitting down.
Luo Xiangshi remained calm, "Mr. Cao's death is a loss to the entire education community. I was deeply pained to hear the bad news, but he died in the catastrophe belt.
"Principal Ma, being a Talisman Master, surely understands the dangers of clearing catastrophe belts. That's why people like us are revered by the public."
"One thing at a ti," Ma Lu shook his head. "It's true that Talisman Masters face dangers, but Mr. Cao's death was clearly out of the ordinary. He entered a catastrophe belt that was not suitable for him because he had received incorrect information."
"The Jiulong Instrunt's intelligence is not always accurate; occasional discrepancies are normal, which only indicates that Mr. Cao was not very lucky."
"Whether Mr. Cao was lucky or not isn't for you to say. I've asked friends to investigate this matter, and I believe we will soon have results. Let be clear: I, Mr. Ma, will certainly not let the murderer go unpunished."
The exchange between Ma Lu and Luo Xiangshi filled the surrounding guests with a strong scent of gunpowder.
And in the shadows, Cao Youyi clenched her fists.
The fact that she had not ntioned to Ma Lu her wish to avenge Cao Jinhua did not an she had forgotten that deep-seated hatred.
It was just because she had always prioritized the school, knowing full well that Hou De at the ti was no match for Hero and not wanting to make things difficult for Ma Lu as the principal, nor wanting to put all teachers and students in danger.
Cao Youyi even considered heading south alone to seek revenge in Xindu once the school was on stable footing.
Now, however, she suddenly realized that she was not alone.
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