23: Chapter 23 Dealing with Li Kai!

The appointment process went extremely smoothly with Cai Wenjing accompanying him the entire time.

Zhao Zilong was now officially a Junior Banner Master of the Fuzheng Division—specifically, the Junior Banner Master of the Third Banner, one of the three banners of the Fuzheng Division.

Although the manpower of this small squad was a bit weak and the Third Banner was known as the "Useless Banner," Zhao Zilong was still extremely happy that he had finally become a Junior Banner Master.

In front of the office of the Third Banner of the Fuzheng Division, thirteen members of the Third Banner gathered in the courtyard.

"Banner Master Zhao, the Third Banner is in your hands now. You must lead them well."

Cai Wenjing gave Zhao Zilong a few words of advice before claiming she had business to attend to and leaving.

Watching Cai Wenjing's figure disappear, Zhao Zilong, now dressed in cyan-blue official robes, swept his burning gaze over the thirteen people in the courtyard.

These people stood in three rows, with Li Kai, Zhang Da, and Zhou Jie standing at the very front.

The three of them were whispering to each other.

"Damn, who would've thought this Zhao Zilong would have such good luck? Even though his woman ran off with someone else, he managed to snag a position as a Banner Master. It's quite worth it."

Li Kai had a look of resentment on his face.

"As they say, if you want to get by in life, you've got to have a bit of green on your head. That saying really is true."

Zhang Da spoke with a mocking air, clearly looking down on Zhao Zilong.

Although Zhao Zilong was now a First-Grade Martial Artist and stronger than them—and had even become their Banner Master—it didn't sit right with anyone that someone who used to be far inferior to them had suddenly climbed over their heads.

"Cough, everyone quiet down. I, your Banner Master, have something to say."

Zhao Zilong coughed heavily, signaling for everyone to be quiet.

However, it would have been better if he hadn't spoken; as soon as he finished, Li Kai directly targeted him.

"Zhao Zilong, don't go treating a chicken feather like a command arrow. If you have something to say, say it, and say it fast. Our backs aren't great, and they hurt if we stand for too long."

"Exactly, we're in no mood to listen to your nonsense. If you want to say something, hurry up."

Zhang Da chimed in.

Zhou Jie also spoke up: "Zhao Zilong, you just took office today, so we'll give you a bit of face. From now on, don't even think about having us assemble like this again."

"Right, we won't have time to play games with you in the future."

Everyone joined in the heckling, ending in loud laughter.

Cai Wenjing, who hadn't actually left, watched from a hiding spot, her brow furrowed deeply.

However, she had no intention of stepping in; she wanted to see if Zhao Zilong could subdue these people.

If he couldn't, she would really have to reconsider whether to move him to a different position; otherwise, it might ruin her plans.

Although she was the Deputy Director of the Fuzheng Division and held great prestige, she didn't have many people she could truly use. Many feared her and would do her bidding, but when it came to private matters, those people couldn't be trusted.

They were not reliable.

Because those people were all Director Chen Cang's men.

She was supporting Zhao Zilong in the hope that he could train a group of people she could use.

If Zhao Zilong wasn't up to the task, she would have to find someone else.

As for Zhao Zilong, he could just be her strategist and offer advice.

"It seems you all don't have much respect for me, your Banner Master."

Zhao Zilong's gaze swept over Li Kai, Zhang Da, and Zhou Jie.

He knew that if he wanted these people to be obedient, he had to first subdue these three ringleaders.

"Zhao Zilong, you're right, we don't respect you. What can you do about it? Don't think that just because you're a Banner Master now, we have to fear you. Let me tell you, I'm the first one who won't accept you."

Li Kai looked disdainful and spat on the ground after speaking.

Zhao Zilong's eyes narrowed.

He had already expected Li Kai and the others to cause trouble today. Thus, he wasn't afraid of them or their rowdiness; what he feared was them not making a scene. This was exactly what he wanted.

Zhang Da also mocked, "Zhao Zilong, you probably got this Banner Master position by selling your wife, didn't you? So have some self-awareness. Don't act like it's something to be proud of; it's embarrassing."

"Right, embarrassing! Hahaha..."

The crowd burst into laughter again.

Zhao Zilong didn't get angry upon hearing this; instead, he smiled faintly.

He stared intently at Zhang Da and said slowly, "Zhang Da, I earned this Banner Master position through my own ability. However, I'll admit what you said—my wife did indeed run off with someone. But I didn't lose out. Not only did I beat up Cao Yun, but he also compensated me with five thousand taels of silver. Plus, he's currently in the Fuzheng Division's jail, and there's no word on when he'll get out. In a way, I've had my revenge."

"But what about you? Your wife was slept with by someone else—what did you get out of it?"

Zhao Zilong's final words left everyone stunned.

What was going on?

Zhao Zilong dared to say Zhang Da's wife had been slept with?

Was this true, or was Zhao Zilong spreading rumors?

Zhang Da flew into a rage instantly. Disregarding everything, he charged at Zhao Zilong, but before he could reach him, Zhao Zilong raised a foot and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying. Fortunately, others caught him, preventing him from crashing to the ground.

However, his blood was churning in his chest, and the pain was severe.

Zhang Da's face turned red as he glared at Zhao Zilong in fury.

"Zhao Zilong, you motherfucker, how dare you insult me! I'm not done with you!"

Zhang Da roared.

Zhao Zilong shook his head helplessly and sighed, "Zhang Da, was your head kicked by a donkey, or is there water in your brain? You don't go after the man who slept with your wife, but you pick a fight with me, your Banner Master? Are you out of your mind?"

Before Zhang Da could say anything in his rage, Zhao Zilong continued, "Li Kai, tell me, what kind of charismatic charm do you have? Even after sleeping with Zhang Da's wife, he's still willing to help you target me. Why don't you teach me this skill?"

"Zhao Zilong, stop your fucking slander! When did I ever do such a thing?"

Li Kai was furious. If he hadn't known he couldn't beat Zhao Zilong, he would have attacked too.

Zhao Zilong said solemnly, "In the twenty-first year of Daye—oh, that's this past spring. I remember it was your shift, but you claimed you had urgent business to attend to and asked Zhang Da to cover for you. But what about you? You left the Fuzheng Division and went straight to Zhang Da's house."

"Zhang Da, you couldn't have forgotten that, right? As for why Li Kai went to your house and what he did, you can probably guess, can't you?"

"Zhao Zilong, you dare to frame me? I will definitely sue you!"

Li Kai was so angry that the veins on his forehead bulged.

"Zhang Da, don't listen to Zhao Zilong's nonsense. I didn't go to your house."

Bang!

Just as Li Kai finished speaking, Zhang Da's fist slammed into his face.

The punch was heavy, knocking Li Kai to the ground and making his eye socket bleed.

"Zhang Da, you actually believe him?"

Li Kai sat on the ground, shouting and acting as if he were completely wronged.

Zhang Da said angrily, "Li Kai, I've long felt that something was off between you and my wife. Now that Zhao Zilong has mentioned it, I see it really is the case. I was wondering why there were red and purple marks on my wife's neck that day—it was you, wasn't it, you bastard?"

Hearing Zhang Da's words, Cai Wenjing, hiding behind a building not far away, couldn't help but chuckle.

At the same time, she couldn't help but admire Zhao Zilong's luck—that he would even happen upon something like this.

"Zhang Da, are you fucking crazy? Why do you say it was me? Couldn't it have been some other man?"

Li Kai snorted angrily.

Zhang Da froze. Right, it could have been another man; it wasn't necessarily Li Kai.

In his momentary surge of anger, he had actually wronged his good brother.

Feeling a bit guilty, Zhang Da went forward to help Li Kai up.

At that moment, Zhao Zilong spoke slowly, "Zhang Da, as for whether Li Kai went to your house that day, you only need to ask your neighbors, Old Man Sun and Auntie Liu. They both greeted Li Kai at the time."

"Oh, right. When Li Kai went to your house that day, he even bought braised beef."

After Zhao Zilong finished, Li Kai's face turned pale, and his expression became visibly panicked.

"Zhao Zilong, you fucking stalked me! You're not human!"