C92 The Real Duty of a Secretary

Time slipped away, moment by moment.

Inside the room, Lin Chen was busy not only refining pills for Zhang Xiaoyu but also preparing some for Ann Lan and Sun Qing'er. Once he had finished, he took Zhang Xiaoyu outside with him.

"No good, I can't make out anything beyond that door!"

Emerging from the room, Lin Chen was greeted by Zhang Yongnian, drenched in sweat and the picture of defeat.

"Mr. Lin truly lives up to the title of Master Kunlun. This calligraphy and painting surpass anything we could achieve."

Vice-chairman Liu let out a wry smile, shaking his head with a sigh.

"Master Kunlun?"

"Vice-chairman Liu, what are you implying?"

Huang, who had ceased his cultivation practice, caught his breath sharply upon hearing their exchange.

Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian paused, taken aback.

They might not have recognized Huang, but they were familiar with Chung Yu.

As a member of the Chung family from the capital, Chung Yu's connections with Su Qingyin ran deep, and both had significant ties to Lin Chen.

Realizing this, Vice-chairman Liu addressed Huang with due reverence, "Elder, this painting must be the work of Lin Chen, Mr. Lin, correct?"

"Are you not aware that Mr. Lin is Master Kunlun?"

Upon hearing Vice-chairman Liu, Huang shuddered, his eyes bulging with astonishment.

More than the painting itself, the revelation that Lin Chen was Master Kunlun struck him with awe.

Any cultivator worth their salt knew the name of Master Kunlun.

It had never crossed Huang's mind that the revered Master Kunlun could be Lin Chen!

Had he not trusted Vice-chairman Liu to be truthful, and had the painting not been right before his eyes, he would never have believed it, even under threat of death.

"No wonder they've been fawning over him like a dog with its master."

"So, this young man's identity is that formidable!"

Huang didn't respond to Vice-chairman Liu. Instead, he murmured to himself, his eyes alight with fervor.

In that moment, it dawned on him that being Lin Chen's lackey might not be the most dignified role, but it was undoubtedly a lucrative one.

"Hey, Lin, no, big brother, there you are."

"How are you feeling? Tired? Need your little brother to give you a shoulder rub or work on your legs?"

Catching sight of Lin Chen and Zhang Xiaoyu, Huang quickly got to his feet, his face breaking into an obsequious grin.

"Huang, I've got your number now."

"When there's nothing in it for you, you're just Lin. But when there's something to gain, suddenly I'm 'big brother' and you couldn't be more affectionate."

Lin Chen spoke to Old Man Huang with a hint of contempt.

"Cough, cough, big brother, listen to yourself."

"We're brothers, aren't we? It's all the same in the end."

"And if you'd clued me in about Master Kunlun sooner, I would've been fawning over you long before now."

"Why wait until now?"

Huang cleared his throat and spoke with feigned integrity.

Lin Chen had pegged Huang's lack of scruples from the moment they met.

"Vice-chairman Liu, Master Zhang, regarding this piece of calligraphy and painting, you might not be able to grasp its secrets just yet."

"However, if you take a closer look at the surrounding flora, you may discover something unexpected."

Lin Chen didn't bother with Huang and instead offered his advice to Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian.

Yet, as his eyes fell upon Liu Wu and Chung Yu, a flicker of surprise crossed his expression.

It seemed Liu Wu had stumbled upon a clue, while Chung Yu looked utterly captivated—likely having already glimpsed the treasures beyond the door.

"Thank you, Mr. Lin, for the heads-up."

Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian, observing Liu Wu and Chung Yu, felt a twinge of envy but held their tongues.

They refocused, turning their attention to the landscape flanking the door.

Lin Chen's art didn't discriminate based on power but on one's innate talent for cultivation.

As it stood, those with the talent could naturally perceive the wonders within the door.

Those without could still find value in the beauty of the external world.

This very principle was why Master Kunlun was revered by so many seekers of the path.

"Here, Xiaoyu, take this Body Quenching Pill first."

"It will enhance your constitution and boost your future potential for cultivation."

Seeing the others deep in their practice, Lin Chen didn't interrupt. Instead, he offered a pill to Zhang Xiaoyu.

"Enhance my constitution and my potential for cultivation?"

"Lin, what's this about?"

Though Zhang Xiaoyu might come off as naively sweet, she was far from foolish.

Lin Chen's words were so candid that she easily grasped their meaning.

"Qing'er is extraordinary. If you follow her without sufficient strength, you'll not only endanger yourself but also become a liability to her."

"Besides, it took me a while to find such a delightful secretary. I can't stand by and watch you walk into danger."

Lin Chen smiled, teasing Zhang Xiaoyu.

"Brother Lin, I..."

Zhang Xiaoyu was deeply moved.

She was well aware that even esteemed figures like Vice-chairman Liu and Zhang Yongnian showed Lin Chen great respect.

Clearly, the pill was no trivial matter.

And Lin Chen, without a moment's hesitation, simply wanted to help her grow stronger and ensure her safety.

Zhang Xiaoyu felt she could never fully repay his immense kindness.

"What's with the formality, Xiaoyu? Remember, you're my secretary. There's an old saying, 'The secretary takes charge when there's work, and when there's none, the secretary... well..."

"Anyway, Xiaoyu, what I mean is, once you've grown stronger, you'll be able to do so much more."

Lin Chen grew embarrassed towards the end, nearly revealing his inner thoughts.

Zhang Xiaoyu's cheeks flushed.

Being an adult, she certainly understood the implication of Lin Chen's words.

After a brief pause, Zhang Xiaoyu looked up, biting her red lip, and bravely asked, "Brother Lin, what do you think of Xiaoyu's looks and figure?"

Looks and figure?

Lin Chen was momentarily taken aback, unsure why Zhang Xiaoyu would suddenly bring up such a topic.

But Old Man Huang had always taught him to be honest.

So, without hesitation, Lin Chen activated his Magical Third Eye and earnestly appraised Zhang Xiaoyu's appearance and figure.

"Well... your pure looks are a solid nine out of ten, and as for your figure, your skin is pale and tender, flawless to the touch."

"And that waistline, as impressive from the side as a mountain range from the front, is simply perfect!"

Lin Chen responded to Zhang Xiaoyu with utmost sincerity.

After Lin Chen shared his thoughts, a blush spread across Zhang Xiaoyu's cheeks.

Clearly, Brother Lin's poetic musings about the landscape weren't a commentary on her waistline!

Still, she felt a flutter of happiness—her figure and looks had earned Brother Lin's approval.

With that, she was ready to tackle the second half of her secretarial duties whenever Lin Chen might need her.

"Alright, go ahead and take the Body Quenching Pill now."

"And later, take a nice long shower in the bathroom."

Lin Chen caught the autumnal shimmer in Zhang Xiaoyu's eyes, which sent a shiver through him, prompting him to speak quickly.

Yet, he couldn't help but wonder, was this girl smitten?

Lin Chen shook off the thought; he wasn't one to overthink.

He may be a rogue, but he was no monster.

Ann Lan was carrying his child, and even if Zhang Xiaoyu was willing, Lin Chen wouldn't entertain the idea.

Of course, if Ann Lan were to consent, that would be an entirely different scenario.

Moments later, after Zhang Xiaoyu had consumed the Body Quenching Pill, her body began to exude impurities.

As Zhang Xiaoyu showered, Lin Chen sat in contemplation, pondering the situations with Elder Mo and Sun Xiangguo.

Sun Xiangguo had already made his move, but Lin Chen knew it was only a matter of time before Elder Mo sought his own form of shadowy retribution.

"If you all prefer to skulk in the shadows," he mused aloud.

"Then I'll use this very painting to dispatch you in kind, and let others claim your wretched lives!"

A chilling glint crossed Lin Chen's gaze as he whispered these words to himself.