Chapter 4497 — It Should Be Me
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Yet even at this point of utter ruin, Hai Wuliang still would not give up. He actually intended to argue his own case and salvage the situation—except Qi Mingyuan was not about to give him any more chances.
"Chief Escort Hai, this session of the Southern Continent Escort Assembly has concluded. According to the rules, the chief judge of the new assembly should be me. The closing remarks—I believe it falls to me to announce them?" Qi Mingyuan laughed heartily, then shoved Hai Wuliang aside with one hand, sending the fellow staggering and nearly rolling right off the platform.
"I..." Blood surged in Hai Wuliang's veins, and he could barely keep himself from turning on the man right there. As supreme escort chief for so many years, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
But when he saw Qi Mingyuan's half-smiling expression and the amused looks in the eyes of Zhao Bufan and the others nearby, it was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head. He had no choice but to shut his mouth in defeat.
There was no help for it. These men clearly meant him no good, and they looked for all the world like they were just waiting for him to slip up.
If he really did lose his temper on the spot, not only would it do no good, he would probably not even be able to keep his place among the five great agencies. After all, times had changed. Four Seas Escort Agency was now a thing of the past, and as of today, the Southern Continent Escort Alliance had entered a new dynasty.
With no other choice, Hai Wuliang could only swallow his anger and slink off to the side. Better a live dog than a dead lion—even knowing his future would be hard, he would not give up his seat among the five great agencies. Otherwise, once the orders for Four Seas Escort Agency's vast enterprise shrank drastically, that would be no laughing matter; they might well splinter apart like the former Yuantong Escort Agency...
Hmph, this fellow certainly knows how to endure! Qi Mingyuan cast Hai Wuliang a glance tinged with regret, then paid him no further mind and began to read the closing remarks aloud to the whole assembly.
The closing remarks were much the same as at every previous assembly, with nothing particularly special about them. The only difference was that in the past it had always been Hai Wuliang who read those words, and now it was Qi Mingyuan.
At this moment, watching the high-spirited Qi Mingyuan atop the platform, everyone understood one thing: a new era for the Southern Continent Escort Alliance had begun!
A brand-new era belonging to Qingtian Escort Agency had burst onto the scene just like that. Whether the crowd believed it or not, accepted it or not, none of them could change this tide. The times would not change to suit their will; only by actively adapting to the times could they ensure they were not left behind.
The quicker-witted soon realized that the Demon Cold Sea Region's central status would inevitably be replaced by the Weihu Sea Region. After all, that was where Qingtian Escort Agency's headquarters stood, and barring any surprises, the next Southern Continent Escort Assembly would also be held in Weihu City. Grand spectacles like the present one, Demon Cold City would likely never see again.
The turning of an era came just that suddenly, catching everyone off guard, and yet on closer thought, it was only fitting.
"What a pity—we didn't get to take down that bastard Hai Wuliang!" Qi Wenmo watched his father dominate the stage with delight, while casting a rather disgruntled glance at Hai Wuliang, who had been shoved to the edge. (To be continued)