<h4>Chapter 713: Chapter 718 Resignation</h4>


    Catching up with Zhou Jun and Song Ge, Ling Chen and his twopanions went straight back to their room. Upon entering, they saw Zhou Qi sitting in a chair, his face gloomy, fists clenched, and bulging veins visible on his forehead. Clearly, the events from before had left him very angry. At this moment, he was forcefully suppressing his rage, preventing himself from exploding.


    Seeing his grandfather so angry, Zhou Jun hesitated for a moment, then approached Zhou Qi and said with his head bowed: "Grandfather, I... I am sorry for letting you down."


    Zhou Qi looked up at his grandson, took a deep breath, and a hint of disappointment shed in his eyes. After a while, he sighed softly and shook his head: "Forget it, I know you were framed this time. Besides, what has happened has already urred, and it’s useless to me you now. Let’s think more about how to ovee this difficult situation."


    "Elder Zhou, who do you think is behind the framing of Zhou Jun?" Song Ge asked.


    "How should I know? I’ve been serving the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion for so many years, always diligent withoutint, never making enemies with anyone. I can’t think of anyone who would target me," Zhou Qi replied, ncing at Zhou Jun. "This incident must be rted to you. Think about who you have offended to have provoked someone’s revenge."


    "It must be Tong Nan!" Ling Chen said in a grave tone. "We had a conflict with Tong Nan this morning; it must be his way of retaliating. And that Zhu Ying used to have dealings with Tong Nan. Given their rtion, it is likely that Tong Nan directed her from behind the scenes, plotting for Zhu Ying to frame Zhou Jun."


    Pausing, Ling Chen continued: "Tong Nan is a very cautious man. If we confront him directly, he will definitely wash his hands of this affair. Plus, we have no evidence, so we can do nothing to him. However, we can start with Zhu Ying. No matter what, she is a woman after all, and if we apply certain methods, I doubt she would remain silent."


    Zhou Qi waved his hand dismissively: "You all are oversimplifying the matter. Even as we speak now, Zhu Ying must have gone to plead with the Pavilion Master. Even if the Pavilion Master believes us, too many people saw Zhou Jun in Zhu Ying’s room, and... the most important point is that Zhou Jun did have rtions with that woman. With that connection, no matter how Zhou Jun defends himself, it’s useless."


    "This..."


    Ling Chen and Song Ge nced at Zhou Jun and were suddenly at a loss for words, unsure of what to say.


    When they encountered Zhu Ying before, not only was she dressed in disarray, with various signs of tearing on her clothing. Additionally, the observant Ling Chen noticed that Zhu Ying had many bruises on her body. All these pieces of evidence were sufficient to prove that Zhu Ying’s body had been forcefully vited, not of her own volition. Thus, with just this point alone, as long as Zhu Ying insisted that she was forced by Zhou Jun, Zhou Jun would have no defense.


    Thinking to this point, Ling Chen couldn’t help but sigh. Zhou Qi was right; this matter was indeed difficult to handle.


    As he was thinking, a ’knock knock knock’ came from outside the door.


    Song Ge got up and opened the door, only to see a Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Disciple standing outside. He cupped his fists towards Zhou Qi and said: "Elder Zhou, the Pavilion Master requests your and Zhou Jun’s presence."


    "I understand. You may leave now," Zhou Qi dismissed him, then stood up and said: "Let’s go. What is inevitable will eventuallye, we can’t escape it."


    Ling Chen asked: "Elder Zhou, do you want us to apany you?"


    "No need. This is our own family affair; you need not interfere. Besides, at this point, having more people is useless," Zhou Qi replied as he straightened his clothes, then strode out.


    Watching Zhou Qi leave, Ling Chen patted Zhou Jun on the shoulder and said: "Go on, no matter the oue, we will support you from behind."


    Zhou Jun nodded, said nothing, and followed Zhou Qi’s steps, leaving the room together.


    "Sigh." After seeing off Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun, Song Ge sighed helplessly and said: "I really didn’t expect such a thing to happen. Tong Nan is too ruthless; as a disciple of the Yangxin Pavilion, to plot and frame one of his own."


    Ling Chen frowned and said: "Don’t think too much for now. Elder Zhou has served the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion for many years; he has been through hardships even if not meritorious. I believe Miss Su won’t forget past favors. Whatever we say now is useless; let’s just calmly await the oue."


    It was now two o’clock in the morning, and there was a grand event at the Yangxin Pavilion to attend tomorrow. They should have been resting properly, conserving their energy, but the events that had transpired left Ling Chen in no mood to think of anything else.


    After about half an hour, footsteps sounded from outside, and Ling Chen quickly opened the door. As expected, it was Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun who returned.


    "Elder Zhou, what was the oue?" Ling Chen and Song Ge asked eagerly.


    Zhou Jun, head lowered, silently walked into the room, then sat down alone on a chair, his face full of loss and regret.


    Zhou Qi sighed softly and said: "Considering the many years I’ve served the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the Pavilion Master has decided not to pursue Zhou Jun’s mistake. As for Zhu Ying... the Pavilion Master will find a way to appease her, providing somepensation."


    Hearing this, Ling Chen and Song Ge simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that nothing worse had happened.


    "All right, don’t just sit there, hurry back and pack your things," Zhou Qi said to Zhou Jun.


    "Pack?" Song Ge asked, puzzled: "Elder Zhou, why packing?"


    Zhou Qi replied indifferently: "I have already tendered my resignation to the Pavilion Master. We will leave Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion tomorrow morning and henceforth will have no further association with it."


    "What?"


    Ling Chen was shocked and asked: "Elder Zhou, didn’t you say the Pavilion Master is not going to pursue the matter? Why..."


    "The Pavilion Master may not be pursuing the matter, but having this scandal spread, where would we still have the face to stay at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? This is the best course of action. Before the matter blows up, it’s better to handle it as soon as possible, so as not to make it difficult for the Pavilion Master." Zhou Qi paused then looked at Ling Chen and Song Ge: "Don’t feel upset on our behalf; this is already the best oue. Having friends like you is fortunate for Zhou Jun. Besides, leaving the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, we can live freely outside without so many restrictions, which can actually be more rxing."


    Although Zhou Qi spoke casually, Ling Chen could feel the helplessness and reluctance in his words. He knew that Zhou Qi had spent decades in the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, almost dedicating his entire life to it. For Zhou Qi, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion was his home. Now faced with such a situation, his heart must be ufortable.


    "Zhou Jun, let’s go."


    Zhou Jun nodded, stood up, and looked at Ling Chen and Song Ge. His handsome face forced a smile and he said: "Don’t worry about me, I’m fine. Ling Chen, if I ever go to East Sea City, I’ll definitely look you up. You’ll have to treat me well then."