Chapter 3604 — Bullying by Power
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
This so-called Number Ten mining zone exception was in truth a long-standing convention, understood by all, known from top to bottom of the Spirit Jade Hall, everyone aware that doing so was reasonable and right. Yet it had never been written into the regulations. Dai Wuchang's deliberate phrasing now was plainly nitpicking.
"Oh... so the Spirit Jade Hall has no such rule at all, and Third Pavilion Master Lu simply fabricated it for his own convenience! Lucky for us Dai Wuchang was here today—otherwise this young master really would have been taken in by you. I'd always heard what a spineless sort Third Pavilion Master Lu was, but now it seems the rumors were wrong; you're actually rather sly!" Xu Lingchong said with feigned indignation. Of course he knew of the Number Ten exception, but since the other man had obligingly handed him a handle, he'd be a fool not to seize it!
"Enough of your slander!" Lu Bianren had never been a glib man, and now, ganged up on by Xu Lingchong and the others, he was at a loss for a retort. He could only look coldly at Dai Wuchang and say, "Junior Brother Dai, since you insist on making a mountain out of a molehill, I have no choice. Wait until I bring Vice-Pavilion-Master Tong Fei into this—then we'll see what you have to say!"
With that, Lu Bianren turned to leave with the put-upon senior brother in tow, and Dai Wuchang's expression changed at once.
His words just now had no real flaw, but any clear-eyed person could see he was deliberately helping Xu Lingchong corner Lu Bianren; on principle, his position would not hold up. More critically, Vice-Pavilion-Master Tong Fei had come out of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, and had always looked askance at arrogant, domineering young masters like Xu Lingchong of the Soaring Heavens Pavilion. If word of this truly reached Tong Fei's ears, Dai Wuchang might well find the man's wrath turned on him—perhaps even an investigation launched into him—and then the game would be well and truly up!
Dai Wuchang shot Xu Lingchong a look begging for help, but before he could open his mouth, Xu Lingchong had already spoken first: "Hold on!"
Lu Bianren had no wish to pay him any mind, but deterred by the other's formidable background, he could only curb his patience, halt his steps, and turn to look at Xu Lingchong. "What else is there?"
"Nothing much—just a word for you, Third Pavilion Master Lu." Xu Lingchong smiled mockingly. "If you go to Tong Fei to change Wei Zhao's mining zone, I won't stop you. But when I get back, I'll tell my grandfather that the Azure Cloud Pavilion's people are getting more and more out of hand these days—sitting in the third pavilion master's seat of the Welcome Newcomers Pavilion, yet reaching their hands into the Spirit Jade Hall, simply lording it over all with power beyond measure, eyes fixed on high and looking down on everyone. Shouldn't we bring it up with the Council of Elders, and have another rectification of the three pavilions, like the one three years ago!"
Hiss—!
At these words Lu Bianren could not help but draw a sharp breath. Looking at Xu Lingchong, so smug in this moment, his expression shifted uncertainly, dark and bright by turns.
The Council of Elders Xu Lingchong spoke of was the supreme body jointly formed by the three tiered pavilions—the Soaring Heavens Pavilion, the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, and the Azure Cloud Pavilion. Every member was among the foremost figures of the three pavilions, its nature akin to a parliament in the mortal world. It held discretionary authority over all major affairs of the three pavilions and the various independent departments; even the North Island's sect master could be removed outright, provided all the elders of the Council voted in resolution.