34: Chapter 34 Zhao Zilong Battles a Third-Rank Martial Artist! (Part 2)

"Deputy Director Cai, everyone performed meritorious service yesterday. Is there anything wrong with going out to celebrate tonight?" Li Kai said, somewhat displeased.

Cai Wenjing shot a cold glance at Li Kai, who immediately withered; her gaze was too terrifying.

He lowered his head, not daring to look at Cai Wenjing. The others also lowered their heads one after another.

"Deputy Director Cai, doing this will dampen everyone's spirits for working," Zhao Zilong reminded her in a low voice.

Cai Wenjing acted as if she hadn't heard Zhao Zilong. She looked at the group and said, "You may go, but your Banner Master cannot. Of course, all expenses are still to be covered by your Banner Master."

At this, Zhao Zilong was shocked, and the others were shocked as well.

"Deputy Director Cai, what is the meaning of this?" Zhao Zilong questioned, somewhat displeased.

Was she targeting him just because of what happened last night? Was she even starting to restrict his private entertainment activities? Wasn't this being too petty?

Cai Wenjing glanced at Zhao Zilong and said, "Zhao Zilong, as a Banner Master of the Fuzheng Division, you should lead by example and set a standard. How your subordinates behave is up to you, and I couldn't be bothered to care, but there are some things you simply cannot do."

"Deputy Director Cai is right to lecture me; I won't go, then." Zhao Zilong felt very helpless, but he could see that Cai Wenjing was serious. He dared not disobey and could only agree.

"Since that's the case, you all go ahead. I will reimburse all expenses later." Zhao Zilong felt somewhat dispirited.

He couldn't go find girls.

Sigh!

He had thought that since he'd arrived in a world where brothels were legal, he could indulge himself, but someone was keeping him in check.

What kind of situation was this?

"Banner Master, what shall we do today?" Wu Chuan asked.

Zhao Zilong thought for a moment and said, "Organize all the files related to the people of the previous dynasty and bring them to me."

"Yes." The group acknowledged and was about to disperse.

Just then, a voice rang out from not far away.

"I heard that Banner Master Zhao just took office yesterday and already captured two people from the previous dynasty. It really is admirable."

It was Banner Master Wang Shan of the Second Banner, bringing some of his men over. Ge Yun was following right beside Wang Shan, and his complexion was very poor.

Wang Shan walked over with his men.

"Subordinate greets the Deputy Director." Seeing Cai Wenjing was there, Wang Shan bowed and greeted her.

Cai Wenjing responded with a cold grunt, but she was always this icy, so everyone was used to it and didn't mind.

Wang Shan looked at Zhao Zilong and said, "Banner Master Zhao has performed meritorious service right after taking office; this is a joyous occasion. Therefore, I am hosting a banquet at Qingyang Restaurant tonight to celebrate for you. I hope Banner Master Zhao will honor us with your presence."

Zhao Zilong replied, "Banner Master Wang is too kind. Being able to perform some minor merit right after taking office was just a bit of luck."

"Sigh, Banner Master Zhao, don't be modest. Being able to perform meritorious service is proof of capability."

"Then I thank Banner Master Wang for your undeserved praise. However, I have things to do tonight and cannot attend the banquet. I hope Banner Master Wang will forgive me."

How could Zhao Zilong not see that Wang Shan was here to act as a lobbyist? It was likely for the matter concerning Ge Yun.

This banquet was probably a trap, so how could he possibly attend?

Zhao Zilong refused. Wang Shan was slightly taken aback, but then realized that Zhao Zilong had guessed his intentions.

He said, "Is Banner Master Zhao truly unwilling to honor me with your presence?"

Zhao Zilong said, "Banner Master Wang, if you have something to say, you might as well speak plainly."

Seeing that Zhao Zilong really had no intention of agreeing, Wang Shan smiled faintly and said, "Since Banner Master Zhao has put it that way, I will get straight to the point. Banner Master Zhao, I am already aware of the bet you made with Ge Yun yesterday."

"According to the bet, Banner Master Zhao won. Ge Yun is to kowtow and apologize to Banner Master Zhao, and he must also work under Banner Master Zhao."

"That is indeed the case." Zhao Zilong took over the conversation, casting his gaze toward Ge Yun. "Ge Yun, you lost the bet. When will you fulfill it?"

Ge Yun's expression was ugly. He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. According to his own thinking, since he had lost, he should fulfill the bet. However, Wang Shan did not agree.

"Banner Master Zhao, Ge Yun did indeed lose, but I would like to ask Banner Master Zhao to show mercy and give Ge Yun a chance," Wang Shan said.

Zhao Zilong said, "Banner Master Wang, how would you like me to give Ge Yun a chance?"

Wang Shan said, "Since Ge Yun lost, he naturally must pay a price. He can kowtow, and he can apologize to Banner Master Zhao, but he cannot go to work under Banner Master Zhao."

"Banner Master Wang, is this your intention, or Ge Yun's?" Zhao Zilong's expression darkened.

Wang Shan said, "This is my intention. However, rest assured, Banner Master Zhao, I will certainly not let you suffer a loss; I will provide some compensation to you."

"Banner Master Wang, there is no need for compensation; everything should just be handled according to the bet."

Zhao Zilong valued Ge Yun's ability highly. He was loyal, kind, and brave; although he had a bit of a temper, such a person, if used well, would definitely be a great asset. Most importantly, Ge Yun was a Second-Grade Martial Artist, and he needed such a subordinate.

Wang Shan's face also darkened. He said, "Banner Master Zhao, are you really unwilling to give me any face at all? We will see each other often in the future; there is no need to take things to such an extreme, is there?"

Zhao Zilong said, "Banner Master Wang's words are too severe; I am merely acting according to the bet."

"Banner Master, why don't we just let it go?" Seeing that Zhao Zilong refused to relent, and not wanting to be a man who broke his word, Ge Yun tried to persuade Wang Shan.

Wang Shan's face darkened even further. "Ge Yun, are you content to work under Zhao Zilong? Although he performed meritorious service yesterday, it inevitably involved an element of luck. Otherwise, how could a former piece of trash suddenly become so formidable? You are a dignified Second-Grade Martial Artist, while he is only a First-Grade, and he only reached it at such an old age. By what right does he get to ride on your head?"

Although Wang Shan's voice was not loud, Zhao Zilong heard it, and his brows furrowed deeply. Cai Wenjing was also somewhat dissatisfied with these words from Wang Shan.

"But..." Ge Yun looked troubled.

Wang Shan said, "There are no 'buts.' I will absolutely not agree to this matter." After scolding Ge Yun, Wang Shan looked at Zhao Zilong and said, "Banner Master Zhao, what if I, Wang, do not release him? What will you do then?"

"Since things have reached this point, I will speak plainly: you, Zhao Zilong, are not yet qualified to have Ge Yun work under you."

"Then, according to your meaning, Banner Master Wang, what must I do to be qualified?" Zhao Zilong stared fixedly at Wang Shan.

Wang Shan also stared fixedly at Zhao Zilong; the atmosphere between the two was filled with gunpowder.

Wang Shan said, "Without saying anything else, at the very least, your strength must be stronger than Ge Yun's. Otherwise, by what right would you command Ge Yun?"

Zhao Zilong narrowed his eyes, revealing a cold chill. "Banner Master Wang, do you mean that you want me to have a fight with Ge Yun and win against him?"

Hearing Zhao Zilong ask this, Wang Shan couldn't help but chuckle and say, "If Banner Master Zhao has no objections, I would naturally be willing for that to be the case. However, you cannot fight Ge Yun. I am worried that because of the bet, Ge Yun might hold back, and such a competition would lose its meaning."

"Then who does Banner Master Wang want me to fight? Don't tell me it's to fight you?" Zhao Zilong narrowed his eyes, gazing at Wang Shan.

Wang Shan said, "That is exactly my intention."

Zhao Zilong's gaze grew a bit colder and sharper as he stared fixedly at Wang Shan.

At this moment, Wu Chuan couldn't help but speak up: "Banner Master Wang, you are a Third-Rank Martial Artist. Asking our Banner Master to fight you is clearly bullying; it's unfair."

"That's right, this is unfair." The others from the Third Banner also began to express their dissatisfaction.

Wang Shan said, "Banner Master Zhao, I will not take advantage of you. As long as you can withstand ten moves from me without being defeated, everything regarding Ge Yun will be handled according to the bet. Furthermore, I can also agree to three conditions of yours."

"Are those words true?" Zhao Zilong calculated his chances of winning in his heart. Thinking it over, there was actually some hope.

If he could withstand ten moves from Wang Shan today, he would establish his authority once again, and his prestige would be even higher. This was a good thing for him.

If he couldn't withstand them, at most the bet would be voided, and he wouldn't suffer any real loss.

Wang Shan said, "With Deputy Director Cai here, my words are naturally true."

"Banner Master, don't agree to him; you are no match for him." Wu Chuan urged Zhao Zilong. Li Kai also advised, "Banner Master, you mustn't." Zhang Da said, "That's right, Banner Master, you can't beat him; there is not a shred of hope."

Wang Shan was somewhat displeased: "All of you shut up! This is a matter between Banner Master Zhao and me; what right do you have to interfere?" Wang Shan glared, frightening Li Kai and the others into silence.

"Banner Master Zhao, do you not even have the courage to fight? If you are such a coward, it would be better to step down from this position of Banner Master. Otherwise, I fear that sooner or later, our Fuzheng Division will become a laughingstock because of you, Banner Master Zhao."

Wang Shan's expression was filled with thick disdain. Everyone could see that Wang Shan was provoking Zhao Zilong, trying to get him to agree. But at this moment, Wu Chuan and the others were anxious but dared not speak. Cai Wenjing was also somewhat worried, but she was a bit angry with Zhao Zilong, so she didn't want to say anything. Moreover, she believed that as long as Zhao Zilong wasn't stupid, he wouldn't agree. "Fine, I, Zhao, accept."