Chapter 3985 — I Know You
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
The onlookers, however, were merely there for the spectacle. Every last one of them already disliked Wei Zhao, so naturally none of them would step forward to speak up for justice at a moment like this. They would have been only too happy to see Wei Zhao trampled to death by Gongyang Jun—a textbook case of people who never minded a show, so long as it was big enough.
Wei Zhao only smiled faintly. "Oh? Did I mishear just now—was it not Young Master Xu who summoned me to enter, but some ill-mannered watchdog who doesn't know the rules? Or is it that this invitation Young Master Xu so graciously delivered to my door is a forgery, and I actually have no right to go in at all—that I've simply been made a fool of?"
Xu Lingchong was instantly at a loss for words. Making things difficult for Wei Zhao had been a notion that struck him on the spur of the moment; he had assumed that before Gongyang Jun's domineering might, a wretch of Wei Zhao's caliber would surely be scared witless. Who could have guessed the fellow showed not the slightest trace of fear, and even had the leisure to needle him in this roundabout fashion?
In point of principle, Wei Zhao had done nothing improper. The Threefold Pavilion did set great store by rank and precedence, but it also observed the rule of first come, first served. That the others yielded the way to Gongyang Jun was their own choice, born of their fear of him—but that did not mean everyone was obliged to do the same.
For a long while, Xu Lingchong merely sneered, his face dark, and said not a word.
So long as he kept his mouth shut, the guards would not let Wei Zhao through—and that was precisely the effect he wanted. Let Wei Zhao have all the sharp tongue he liked; what did it matter? Young Master Xu need not utter a single word. He had only to keep the man blocked here, and sooner or later Gongyang Jun would come out and deal with Wei Zhao himself.
Sure enough, Gongyang Jun soon spoke up—and his very first words startled everyone: "You are Wei Zhao?"
Not only those present, but even Wei Zhao himself was taken aback. He and Gongyang Jun had met only once in all—and it could hardly even be counted as a meeting, for at the time, during the pressure-resistance assessment at the Hall of Law Enforcement, Wei Zhao had merely stood among the crowd and glimpsed Gongyang Jun from afar. Gongyang Jun could never have noticed a nobody like Wei Zhao.
Yet those words of Gongyang Jun's plainly meant that he had at least heard of Wei Zhao's existence—which, in anyone's eyes, was utterly inconceivable.
After much pondering, Wei Zhao concluded that the only possible explanation for the other's having heard of him was that Shangguan Lan'er's intervention on his behalf at the Hall of Law Enforcement had drawn Gongyang Jun's attention.
"Indeed. This one is Wei Zhao. I pay my respects to Hall Master Gongyang," Wei Zhao said, turning and cupping his hands.
Gongyang Jun looked Wei Zhao up and down with care, a gesture that set the crowd exchanging glances all the more. This Hall Master of Law Enforcement was renowned across the Northern Island for his arrogance; even with a Threefold Pavilion elder standing before him, he could scarcely be bothered to spare a glance. What on earth did this insignificant Wei Zhao possess that Gongyang Jun should regard him with such special attention?
After a moment, Gongyang Jun slowly spoke, his tone carrying a domineering force that brooked no doubt: "Anyone else who dared block this seat's path would already be a dead man. But you, Wei Zhao—you may be granted leniency."
In an instant the whole assembly erupted in uproar, and even Wei Zhao himself was left stunned and utterly bewildered.