Chapter 4184 — A Forceful Appointment
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
In truth, the very first moment he laid eyes on that group photograph, he had already believed Xu Lingchong. The mysterious man in black on it still did not show his face, but his build and bearing were something no one else could imitate.
Moreover, Xu Lingchong's sudden disappearance and then sudden return, and his transformation into a mid Golden Core expert within a few short months—everything about it reeked of strangeness and defied all ordinary explanation. But if he had joined the center, then it made sense.
"Your subordinate obeys." Might makes right, and Si Haitao had no choice but to bow his head to Xu Lingchong. At the same time he shot a glance at Kang Jingming beside him. It seemed this fellow was about to rise in the world—he had latched onto a powerful patron.
"Excellent! I never imagined Young Master Xu was actually a top figure in our center. Congratulations, Young Master Xu—my best wishes to you!" Kang Jingming hurried to flatter him at the sight.
Zhong Yongliang chimed in as well, though inwardly he could not help muttering to himself. The young master of the Chongsheng Pavilion had in the blink of an eye become a high-ranking member of the center—Xu Lingchong had pulled off quite the transformation, a hen turning into a duck before one's very eyes. And this "Master Pao" he spoke of—why did it sound a little strange?
At that moment Xu Lingchong turned his head, his gaze passing over Si Haitao and coming to rest on Murong Zhen, who had come along with him today. That look gave Murong Zhen quite a start.
"Greetings, Young Master Xu. Last... last time I offended Miss Shangguan, and I beg your forgiveness here. I hope Young Master Xu, in his magnanimity, will not hold a small person's fault against her and will let me off this once," Murong Zhen said cautiously and in haste.
"Shangguan Lan'er?" Xu Lingchong waved a hand dismissively. "She's nothing but a woman. It doesn't matter. Since you've already thrown in your lot with the center, you're one of us. Let bygones be bygones."
Had this been before his disappearance, then to curry favor with Shangguan Lan'er, even if he did not actively make trouble for Murong Zhen, he would certainly never have been so magnanimous. But now that he had castrated himself, Shangguan Lan'er and the like naturally no longer mattered.
"Thank you, Young Master Xu!" Murong Zhen was overjoyed at his words. She had thought that this time, having run straight into Xu Lingchong's guns, she was bound for certain disaster. After all, apart from Shangguan Lan'er, he was one of the targets of her revenge. Never had she expected Xu Lingchong to be so magnanimous and simply wipe the slate clean.
In the past she had acted out of spite and hatred. Now, looking again at this Young Master Xu, he was not only powerful and of noble standing, but his whole person exuded an indefinable air of strength. Though he was a little effeminate, he still counted among the finest of men.
Murong Zhen could not help feeling a stir in her heart. This Young Master Xu was so magnanimous toward her—could it be that he too had taken a fancy to her beauty? If she could get involved with him, her prospects would be far brighter than trailing after an old lecher like Si Haitao.
"If Young Master Xu doesn't mind, shall I give your shoulders a rub? I've been specially trained, you know—I guarantee you'll be comfortable and satisfied!" Murong Zhen's eyes were silken with allure, her body voluptuous, and she swayed her waist as she walked toward Xu Lingchong.
"No need. Don't waste your effort—I'm not interested in you." Xu Lingchong saw through her intentions at a glance and refused coldly at once.
"Yes..." Murong Zhen's face turned bright red, and she could only weakly check her steps. Beside her, Kang Jingming and the others all wore sneering expressions, and Si Haitao in particular shot her a dark glare—this shameless, cheap woman!