Chapter 4186 — Gongyang Jun's Decision
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Gotten together" did not mean merely that Wei Zhao and Shangguan Lan'er were idly keeping each other company—it meant finding out whether the two had already joined forces in some villainous collusion. This would affect how he dealt with Wei Zhao; after all, if they truly had gotten together, he would have no choice but to be wary of Shangguan Tianxia.
"This..." Kang Jingming and Zhong Yongliang exchanged glances, their faces plainly reluctant. Following the young master Xu back today was a long-awaited chance to throw their weight around—who would not want to be at Xu Lingchong's side, showing off? If they were assigned to keep watch, what would be the point of putting on airs then?
Kang Jingming especially had been counting on this chance to rally his forces today and restore the prestige of a new senior deacon—how could he just be sent off like this?
Under Xu Lingchong's gaze, Kang Jingming grew anxious and hurriedly looked at Zhong Yongliang beside him, giving a fake cough.
"Young Master Xu, how about I go instead?" Zhong Yongliang said at once, catching the hint. The reluctance on his face was of course deliberately feigned—he was counting on this chance to slip ahead and tip off Wei Zhao—but he could not appear too eager.
"Fine, you go," Xu Lingchong said with an indifferent nod.
Kang Jingming was secretly delighted. He gave Zhong Yongliang a covert thumbs-up, thoroughly pleased with his initiative. True, when Xu Lingchong had gone missing earlier, his own position had come under a bit of threat, but now that the young master Xu was back, his standing had naturally risen with the tide again.
When it came to closeness with Xu Lingchong, he was far more intimate with him than Zhong Yongliang was. Still, it was rare for Zhong Yongliang to be so perceptive—it seemed he could be promoted a bit more in the future, and could be counted on to take the blame when it mattered.
Zhong Yongliang turned and left at once, chuckling to himself. That fool Kang Jingming was being sold out and was still helping count the money—if not for him, where would he have gotten such a fine chance to slip ahead and tip off Wei Zhao?
Though Wei Zhao was not in his cave dwelling, he knew Wei Zhao well. Since Shangguan Lan'er had called him out, he had most likely gone to the little grove—the place they often played.
Having packed Zhong Yongliang off to keep watch, Kang Jingming continued to follow Xu Lingchong, borrowing the tiger's might, and arrived at the entrance of Meng Zhou's cave dwelling, where he triggered the dwelling's seal.
"Young... Young Master Xu, you're back?" Meng Zhou opened the cave dwelling's door and, seeing the whole crowd before him—especially Xu Lingchong at their head—jumped in fright.
He had been in seclusion cultivating this whole time, rarely coming out, and had not even heard the rumors that were on every woman's and child's lips outside. He did not much regard Kang Jingming and the others, but to suddenly see his long-lost patron—of course he was startled.
Xu Lingchong looked at the utterly transformed Meng Zhou before him, and his eyes could not help but light up; he was somewhat astonished at heart. The old Meng Zhou had been an out-and-out worthless fool and cannon fodder, but the Meng Zhou of today had not only been reborn in strength compared to before—more crucially, his entire bearing and aura had become unfathomable. With that flowing white hair, he had a singular, otherworldly charm.
Xu Lingchong's heart stirred slightly. He waved a hand at the people behind him and instructed, "Zhaoming, you keep watch outside. This young master will go in and have a good talk with Meng Zhou."
With that, Xu Lingchong took the initiative to pull Meng Zhou along, and the two entered the cave dwelling, shutting the door and the seal behind them. No one knew what they went in to do, leaving only Kang Jingming, Hu Yunfeng, and the others staring at one another at the entrance.