Chapter 3867 — Kang Jingming Leads the Way
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
If this Lin Er really was one of the Welcoming Pavilion's people, then no matter how deep the grudge between him and Nantian Guan and Yu Jiang might run, Hu Yunfeng, as Pavilion Master of the Welcoming Pavilion, could not simply stand by and look the other way—only if the Law Enforcement Hall stepped in could the man be taken away.
"Rest assured, Pavilion Master Hu. As for what may be done and what may not, this seat knows full well, clear as a mirror in my heart," Nantian Guan said with a nod.
"Very well, then. This Pavilion Master has a few matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first. If either of you has any questions, you may ask Steward Kang." Before departing, Hu Yunfeng deliberately summoned Kang Jingming over to attend to the two in his stead.
Thanks to the patronage of that young master Xu Lingchong, Kang Jingming was doing rather well for himself in the Welcoming Pavilion these days. Even in the newcomers' challenge tournament—the very event an alchemist was least suited for—he was able to handle matters with ease, owing to the fact that his rank stood head and shoulders above the other newcomers.
Among all the newcomers of the Chongtian Pavilion at present, only Zhong Yongliang could steadily hold his strength above Kang Jingming's; and Zhong Yongliang, under Xu Lingchong's orders, could not make things difficult for Kang Jingming. So these days Kang Jingming was riding high, the wind at his back and the waters parting before him.
Perhaps after some time had passed, the other newcomers of the Chongtian Pavilion would all obtain pills through their own channels and soon be able to make their own attempts at Foundation Establishment. By then, even with Young Master Xu's patronage, Kang Jingming might not be able to stand out so uniquely as he did now—but at least for the moment, his word was still the law.
After hearing out Nantian Guan and Yu Jiang's purpose in coming, Kang Jingming suddenly stroked his chin and said, as if lost in thought, "Brother Yu, are you truly certain that Wei Zhao is not the Lin Er you seek?"
"Of course I am certain. Why does Steward Kang ask?" Yu Jiang said, puzzled.
Kang Jingming put on an air of profundity. "As a matter of fact, this junior has heard a thing or two about the matter of Senior Nantian Yong. In truth, the technique that Lin Er used bears a great resemblance to one this junior knows of. I wonder, have either of you ever heard of the cinnabar-fire bomb—a move only an alchemist can perform? And as it happens, Wei Zhao is precisely an alchemist."
"A cinnabar-fire bomb?" Nantian Guan and Yu Jiang were both taken aback. Though they had never witnessed such a martial technique with their own eyes, the name said it all—it must be a move that made use of cinnabar fire, and it was no wonder only an alchemist could use it.
Only, alchemists were notoriously feeble in actual combat. Could a single cinnabar-fire bomb really be so monstrous as to instantly kill a formidable expert at the peak of late Foundation Establishment like Nantian Yong?
Seeing the two still hesitating, Kang Jingming hurried on. "Do not doubt me, you two. The cinnabar-fire bomb is of little use in real combat, but its destructive power is truly startling. If one has charged it long enough beforehand, there is nothing strange about it snuffing out anyone at all."
"Is this true?" Nantian Guan and Yu Jiang exchanged a glance. The traits Kang Jingming described fit rather well with Lin Er's conduct that day. After all, before coming out to deal with Nantian Yong, the fellow had deliberately lingered at the Hong Merchant Guild for a full hour. Very likely he had been holding back this so-called cinnabar-fire bomb all the while.
"If this junior utters a single false word, may heaven and earth destroy me!" Kang Jingming swore with every appearance of sincerity. His zealous eagerness had an intent that needed no explaining—it was all to splash filth upon Wei Zhao.