Chapter 185: Bibi Dong and Zhongli went to hotel
As time passed, the commotion in the arena finally came to an end.
However, outside the arena, the spectacle hadn't fully concluded.
Zhongli raised his head to look at the sky, murmuring to himself, "Tonight, Heaven Dou City is particularly lively."
"Eh~"
Paimon blinked, puzzled, and said, "Zhongli, hasn't Heaven Dou City been bustling for months now?"
This kind of liveliness was not the same as usual.
Zhongli glanced at Paimon and thought to himself.
"Just an idle remark," he said, waving his hand casually, smoothly brushing her off.
Deceiving Paimon? Not the slightest bit of guilt.
"Sometimes I really don't understand you. You always speak halfway, then add a touch of mystery!"
"Can't we just speak plainly and straightforwardly?"
Paimon imitated Zhongli's thoughtful pose, stroking her chin before placing her hands on her hips and speaking with an exaggerated tone.
Zhongli: "..."
He'd heard that Paimon was great at mimicry, and now seeing it firsthand left him feeling a little drained.
After all, the person Paimon was mimicking was him!
The slight twitch at the corner of his eye betrayed his helplessness. This cheeky Paimon—there was no way to deal with her.
"Whew~"
Exhaling deeply, Zhongli suddenly frowned and instinctively looked in a specific direction.
"Impressive, Lord Martial God. I only just arrived, and you've already noticed me."
Bibi Dong emerged from the shadows with a smile, just as she said—she had only just arrived.
Originally, she had been in an exceptionally good mood today, feeling an inexplicable sense of freedom and planning to visit Zhongli in a few days.
But upon second thought, she'd already spoken about seeking him out. If she didn't come today, would Zhongli lose patience?
Dealing with this exalted being required the utmost propriety.
"So it's Your Holiness Pope. Greetings," Zhongli said calmly.
Back in the arena, Bibi Dong had mentioned she wanted to discuss something with him, but because of Yu Xiaogang, she hadn't had the chance to say more.
To his surprise, she sought him out so quickly after leaving the arena.
"There's no need for such courtesy, Your Excellency. You may address me directly by name," Bibi Dong replied, bowing slightly to Zhongli.
After all, when one came with a request, it wasn't wise to put on airs.
Zhongli did not object.
After all, when it came to age, the difference between him and Bibi Dong was greater than the development span of an ancient civilization!
At this moment, the "Mouth of the Gods" decided to chime in.
"Your Holiness, what brings you to see Zhongli?"
Paimon flew in front of Zhongli, her curious gaze fixed on Bibi Dong.
Bibi Dong was momentarily taken aback.
She was well aware of Paimon's existence and familiar with the little companion's usual "hobbies" and "duties."
However, given her position and strength—which, in her opinion, was comparable to Zhongli's—
Of course, this notion of equality was her own belief.
Just like Qian Daoliu, who believed that while there might be some disparity between him and Zhongli, it wouldn't be significant.
It was the kind of situation where neither side could easily gain the upper hand.
Even if Zhongli emerged victorious, the worst they'd suffer would be minor injuries.
At their level, truly killing a peer of equal strength was exceedingly difficult.
And yet, despite her status and power, here was this little companion acting as the spokesperson?
As expected of the Martial God Douluo—he truly treated everyone equally!
Indeed, in Zhongli's eyes, there was no difference between Bibi Dong and a beggar on the street or a farmer in the fields.
A truly strong individual possessed not only great power but also an equally strong heart!
"Little Paimon, this isn't the best place for a conversation. The Seven Treasures Hotel from last time was quite good. Shall we go there?"
As if remembering something, Bibi Dong added, "My treat!"
Paimon froze for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise.
The Pope was this generous? She outright offered to treat them!
"Sure, that sounds great!"
"Thank you, Your Holiness!"
Zhongli raised a hand to his forehead, feeling a headache coming on.
This little one…
Zhongli glanced at Bibi Dong, then thought of Qian Renxue. Inwardly, he mused, "No wonder they're mother and daughter; their methods are equally peculiar."
Before long, Zhongli, Bibi Dong, and Paimon arrived at the Seven Treasures Hotel.
The restaurant owner's eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth slightly agape, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
'What in the world is going on?!'
The owner had always considered himself someone with a strong heart. But the moment he saw Zhongli and Bibi Dong walk into the Seven Treasures Hotel together, he froze in shock.
'If you two need to talk, can't you go to the Body Sect or the Spirit Hall?'
'Why choose the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's outpost of all places? Are you trying to tempt us into eavesdropping?'
Actually, no—they wouldn't dare to eavesdrop.
Forcing a smile, the owner quickly excused himself after the three had placed their orders, practically fleeing the private room.
"Good heavens, what an incredible duo!"
The owner's mind was racing like a stampede of wild horses, and he still hadn't fully processed the situation.
"This needs to be reported—immediately! Let Ning Fengzhi worry about this mess. I'm just a restaurant owner now; this has nothing to do with me!"
Though he told himself this, he couldn't completely shake off his concern for the sect's future.
Such sentiments were common among disciples of sects and clans across Douluo Continent.
Having grown up with teachings emphasizing loyalty to one's clan or sect, such ideas were deeply ingrained.
This was also why those who betrayed their sects or clans were universally scorned and relentlessly hunted by their original factions.
"What?"
"The Martial God Douluo and Bibi Dong went to the Seven Treasures Hotel for a meal?"
Emperor Xue Ye felt his brain go numb. How could such a bizarre event happen?
Wait… Could it be that the two of them were trying to protect their reputations?
If they stayed too long at Zhongli's residence or the Spirit Hall, rumors might start to spread, even if no one voiced them openly.
But the Seven Treasures Hotel was different—it was genuinely just a restaurant without even guest rooms.
Moreover, Zhongli's visits to the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's outpost were perfectly normal since he often frequented the place.
But Bibi Dong choosing the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's outpost? That was suspicious no matter how you looked at it!
After some thought, Emperor Xue Ye muttered to himself, "It's likely Bibi Dong has a favor to ask of the Martial God. Meeting at a restaurant is polite yet neutral—it's nothing significant."
When Zhongli had first arrived in Heaven Dou City as an individual, Xue Ye felt a mix of admiration and apprehension.
Here was someone whose strength surpassed royal authority, a man who could easily annihilate the imperial family and retreat unscathed!
Such a figure was not to be offended.
Now that Zhongli had established the Body Sect near Heaven Dou City, Xue Ye's apprehension had only grown, though there was nothing he could do.
Fortunately, Zhongli showed no signs of ambition. As long as he had no such intentions, peace could be maintained.
After so long, Xue Ye believed he understood Zhongli's character. Even if Poison Douluo, the Body Sect's acting leader, harbored ambitions, Zhongli absolutely did not.
This was a man who valued his promises above all else.
Before the Body Sect was formed, Zhongli served as a guest elder to the Crown Prince's estate. Even now, he remained in that role.
The most terrifying thing about him was that there wasn't a single flaw in his actions that one could exploit.
"Lord Martial God, the reason I've come today…"
Bibi Dong began, taking the opportunity to speak before their dishes were served.