189: Chapter 189 The Feast at Hongmen?

"Yuanxu Mountain?! Could they possibly know about that matter?"

"No, that's not right. They shouldn't know about this matter."

The person's tone suddenly became tense as he muttered to himself.

"Who is the person who came from Yuanxu Mountain?"

The person asked.

"I only know that the person's surname is Lin, and his strength is estimated to be around the high stage of the Spirit Treasury Realm."

Tang Jingming said.

Naturally, this information was obtained from Director Shi Lei.

If the other party's strength wasn't so formidable, he could afford to be a bit tougher.

But with the other party's high-stage Spirit Treasury Realm strength, he wasn't even sure he could be a match for him.

To take him down, he and Director Shi Lei would have to act together, or he would need to request help from the Sect; only then would it be possible.

But judging by Director Shi Lei's attitude, he would not—and dared not—make a move against Lin Ming.

As for the Sect, it went without saying. As an affiliated Sect of Yuanxu Mountain, the Zhengji Sect would naturally not make a move against a Disciple of Yuanxu Mountain over such a trivial matter.

If he dared to make such a request, it might end up being he himself who got into trouble.

Following this, Tang Jingming roughly recounted the course of events to the person.

"A coincidence?"

The person said uncertainly after hearing the course of events.

Could it really just be a coincidence?

"Is it certain that the item is in the hands of this Zeng Family?"

The person asked.

"I would not dare to deceive you, sir."

Tang Jingming said.

Originally, his plan was to trade with the Zeng Family himself, using his status as City Lord to pressure them, which he thought would be a simple matter.

But the Cen Family had proposed to directly carve up the Zeng Family, so the item would naturally end up in his hands, and he could make a profit on the side; why not?

As it turned out, he hadn't expected the Zeng Family to have such a background.

"I will come over personally."

The person said in a deep voice.

That item must not be lost.

He also hadn't expected this item to appear in a small place like Dongchuan City. He had only given Tang Jingming a casual instruction back then, yet it had given him such a surprise.

It was just that this Disciple of Yuanxu Mountain was a bit troublesome.

A Disciple of the Spirit Treasury Realm; it was likely just a coincidence, and the Disciple of Yuanxu Mountain probably didn't know about this matter.

But just in case, he decided to take action personally.

Even if it meant being exposed, he had to obtain that item.

"Have the Yuan Stones prepared for me in advance."

The person continued.

"Sir, and what about the things I wanted?"

"You won't be shortchanged."

A smile appeared on Tang Jingming's face.

"Keep the Yuanxu Mountain Disciple stalled."

As the voice faded, the light of the Formation dissipated, and several cracks appeared on the wooden carving.

Tang Jingming's expression returned to calmness, and he walked out of the secret chamber looking as if nothing had happened.

...

Seven days passed in a flash.

The four major families had been kept in prison the entire time with no other developments, as if they were being given the cold-shoulder treatment.

"Judging by the information from Director Shi Lei, City Lord Tang has been obstructing the trial of the four major families; I fear he intends to protect these four families."

Old Madam Zeng said.

A sneer appeared on Old Madam Zeng's face.

These four families had always sided with Tang Jingming; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were Tang Jingming's dogs.

It was even possible that their targeting of the Zeng Family was under Tang Jingming's instruction.

This was the reason why Lin Ming had not yet left the Zeng Family; the root of the matter had not been resolved, and it would be irresponsible to leave now.

Moreover, he hadn't yet gotten his hands on the assets of these four families; leaving now would be too much of a loss.

Lin Ming was wondering whether he should just secretly take care of Tang Jingming; that would be the simplest solution.

But this thought was temporarily suppressed by Lin Ming.

After all, Tang Jingming was a Disciple of the Zhengji Sect, and the Zhengji Sect was an affiliated Sect of Yuanxu Mountain.

The methods should still be a bit more gentle.

"Madam, an invitation from the City Lord's Mansion has arrived."

At this moment, the steward of the Zeng Mansion walked in.

"The City Lord invites Mr. Lin and Old Madam to a banquet at the City Lord's Mansion tonight."

The steward took out two invitations and said to the two of them.

"He's about to make a move."

Lin Ming said with a smile.

"Young Hero Lin, what do you think?"

Old Madam Zeng looked at Lin Ming and asked.

For matters like this, she still needed to seek Lin Ming's opinion.

"Since the other party has sent invitations, it would indeed be impolite if we didn't go."

Lin Ming said with a smile.

He also wanted to see what kind of medicine this City Lord Tang was selling in his gourd.

...

Night fell.

The Zeng Family's carriage stopped at the entrance of the City Lord's Mansion.

Lin Ming and Old Madam Zeng stepped out of the carriage and were led by the people of the City Lord's Mansion into the courtyard.

They saw a table of dishes set out in the courtyard.

"Mr. Lin, Old Madam Zeng."

Tang Jingming appeared in their line of sight.

He looked at the two of them with a smile on his face.

"City Lord Tang."

"Please, take a seat, take a seat."

After simple greetings, Tang Jingming invited them to be seated.

"City Lord Tang, this residence is quite luxurious."

Lin Ming looked around and said.

"They are all just mundane things, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Tang Jingming shook his head and said.

"Inviting you two over this time is mainly because I, Tang, would like to apologize to Old Madam Zeng; regarding the incident that occurred in the city, I, Tang, also bear some responsibility."

Tang Jingming said.

"City Lord Tang, you are too serious."

Old Madam Zeng said with a smile.

"Then, how does City Lord Tang intend to deal with the people of the four families?"

Lin Ming asked directly.

"The people of the four families have done such things, harming the reputation of my Dongchuan City, so there is no need for them to exist in Dongchuan City any longer. A portion of their assets will be confiscated, and a portion will be used as compensation for the Zeng Family. What do you two think?"

Tang Jingming said.

These remarks surprised the two of them, as Tang Jingming's actions over this period of time had clearly been telling others that he intended to protect these four families.

But now he was saying he would deal with these four families.

"Since City Lord Tang has made such a decision, I have no objections to it."

Old Madam Zeng nodded and said.

But she also became increasingly cautious of Tang Jingming.

"That is good."

Tang Jingming also nodded and said.

"Old Madam Zeng, I would like to make a deal with you."

After chatting for a while, Tang Jingming immediately looked at Old Madam Zeng and said.

"Oh? What kind of deal?"

Old Madam Zeng said without changing her expression.

"I heard that a Disciple of the Zeng Family once obtained a special, incomplete animal skin, and I am very interested in it."

Tang Jingming said.

During these seven days, Tang Jingming had also sent people to privately contact the member of the Zeng Family who had obtained the animal skin, only to learn that the animal skin had been handed over to Old Madam Zeng.

This made it so that Tang Jingming had no choice but to seek out Old Madam Zeng.

At the same time, he had another conjecture in his heart.

He only hoped that the other conjecture would not come to pass.

"It is just an ordinary animal skin; why is City Lord Tang so concerned about it?"

Old Madam Zeng said without changing her expression.

"To be honest, I am very interested in some strange and peculiar things. If Old Madam Zeng does not wish to trade, just pretend I never said anything."

City Lord Tang said, appearing slightly indifferent.