Chapter 4994 — Making Trouble Out of Nothing
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
"You wounded the standing vice island lord and provoked the rules of the Central Island. Do you know your crime?" the middle-aged man said coldly.
His gaze fell upon Wei Zhao, and inexplicably it made Wei Zhao's shoulders sink. This vast pressure, as tangible as a physical weight, far exceeded Wei Zhao's expectations. Wei Zhao was instantly alarmed and turned pale—this was nothing like what he had anticipated. How was the other party some mere Foundation Establishment figurehead? This pressure alone was in no way inferior to Zhuang Yifan's!
In Wei Zhao's estimation, it was even enough to rival Shangguan Tianxia and Ning Shanghe. Since when had the Central Island Lord become so terrifying? The one he had seen last time had not been such a monster, had he?
But Wei Zhao soon noticed something was off. The man before him was not the Central Island Lord he had seen last time at all—yet Wu Che had clearly addressed him as Island Lord. Could the Central Island Lord have been replaced in the past two years?
"Are you the Central Island Lord, Senior?" Wei Zhao asked respectfully, drawing a deep breath. Judging from this aura and pressure, the man's strength might well surpass even Zhuang Yifan's. Once they came to blows, there would be no question of winning—he would not even be able to flee. He could only pin his hopes on the other party's character.
"I am Aotian Zhou, acting island lord of the Central Island. The rightful island lord is in secluded cultivation, so I temporarily exercise the island lord's authority in his stead." The dignified man introduced himself.
Acting island lord? Wei Zhao was taken aback. No wonder this was not the same man he had met. But how was this acting island lord's aura and pressure so much stronger than the rightful island lord's? That hardly made sense.
Doubts aside, Wei Zhao naturally could not voice such a question. He cupped his hands toward Aotian Zhou and said, "Since you exercise the island lord's authority, then I must ask: does holding authority mean one may call black white and disregard justice?"
"What do you mean by that? Are you saying you were not the one who wounded Vice Island Lord Wu?" Aotian Zhou's eyes narrowed, and the pressure bearing down on Wei Zhao's shoulders immediately grew heavier, as though intent on crushing him outright. Even Wei Zhao found it hard to breathe.
What tremendous might this man possessed! Wei Zhao was secretly alarmed, yet his expression remained unchanged. Neither haughty nor humble, he said, "I did indeed wound him. But as for provoking the rules of the Central Island, I beg your pardon—I cannot accept that charge. Unless the rules of the Central Island consist of making trouble out of nothing, in which case I have nothing more to say."
"Making trouble out of nothing?" Aotian Zhou glanced at Wu Che, then looked at Wei Zhao with an unfathomable expression. "Tell me, then—just how was it making trouble out of nothing? If the facts bear you out, I will see that justice is done for you."
Wei Zhao's heart eased at those words. Though this man's might was formidable, he did not appear to be birds of a feather with Wu Che. Nor did he immediately use his position to force Wei Zhao into submission; instead, he gave him a chance to explain. That was rare indeed.
Anyone else would likely not even deign to exchange a few words—they would simply declare themselves the island lord and strike. Who would listen to his rambling? Still less would they specifically point out that they were only the acting island lord and explain so much at the cost of their own dignity!