Chapter 4617 — A Wealth of Talent
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
In that instant, Xu Lingchong's killing intent stirred almost involuntarily. If Zhong Yongliang dared stand in his way, he would not mind finding some pretext to make this underling vanish from the world for good.
"What? Do you have a problem with that?" The mysterious man gave a cold snort.
Though nothing at all had been done, the temperature inside the secret chamber abruptly plunged for no discernible reason, sending a chill crawling up every spine. Zhong Yongliang had recovered from his earlier trembling, and now it was Xu Lingchong's turn to be scared out of his wits.
"N-no... no, this subordinate would never dare!" Xu Lingchong broke out in a cold sweat, silently cursing himself for letting anger cloud his head. When the mysterious man promoted one of his own, what right did he have to cut in? If he let the man take offense, then never mind some North Island Envoy post—he might not even be able to keep his miserable life. Whether a man lived or died hung entirely on the mysterious man's whim.
"If it happens again, you can forget about being North Island Envoy. We happen to be short on Nascent Soul stage test subjects right now." The mysterious man gave him a cold glance. Seeing that Xu Lingchong was frightened almost to the point of prostrating himself on the ground, he deigned to explain: "Zhong Yongliang was appointed North Island Envoy because Junior Brother Pao named him personally. Whatever ideas you may have, you will put them away. You had best not play any little games—otherwise not even I will protect you."
In truth, if one put oneself in his shoes, the mysterious man could well understand what Xu Lingchong was feeling. In fact, his original selection had been Xu Lingchong and no one else, with at most Meng Zhou as an assistant. But now that the higher-ups had made their wishes known, he had no choice but to break his own arrangements.
"Ah? So it was Lord Pao who recommended him..." Xu Lingchong deflated entirely. At the sound of that name his whole being seemed to lose its soul, for he knew there was no turning back now. Moreover, from this day forth he could not merely refrain from making things difficult for Zhong Yongliang—he would have to actively cultivate good relations with him, must discard his pride and stoop to befriend him.
After all, Lord Pao was to him as a master, a figure who, like the mysterious man, held the power of life and death over him. Since it was Lord Pao's will that Zhong Yongliang be promoted, how would Xu Lingchong dare breathe a word against it?
Lord Pao? Off to the side, Zhong Yongliang nearly leapt out of his skin at these words, his pupils suddenly going wide. Had he not deliberately kept his head down, the mysterious man would surely have caught the telltale shift.
Holy mother of—! The last time he had heard the name Lord Pao, Zhong Yongliang had already begun to suspect that this Lord Pao might have some connection to that brat Zhang Naipe. And now, with this turn of events, he was seven or eight parts certain. His guess might actually be right!
If this Lord Pao was not Zhang Naipe, then why on earth would he recommend Zhong Yongliang out of nowhere? Zhong Yongliang reckoned he had no ties whatsoever to anyone in the central organization—he did not know a single one of them. Were it not for that connection, then this so-called Lord Pao, never mind recommending him for no reason, would probably never even have heard his name...
Zhang Naipe had suddenly transformed into Lord Pao, a figure of high station and great authority within the central organization. This accidental discovery left Zhong Yongliang dumbstruck with amazement. Though it was not yet fully confirmed, even this seven or eight parts certainty was enough to be called fantastical.