234: Chapter 234 Employing People: Utilizing Their Weaknesses

As soon as Wei Ye left, Liu Zhiming quickly walked in.

"Excellency, how are you feeling now?"

"I'm alright."

"Then would you like to see Xie Jin? After all, he helped us out a lot this time."

Tang Long waved his hand hurriedly. "No need. Elder Xie is a sensible man. Pass on my gratitude and see him out of the city as soon as possible to avoid any complications."

Liu Zhiming nodded deeply.

Xie Jin had a blood feud with Governor Xu over his father's death, and he had just participated in killing Wei Zhuang. If Governor Xu flew into a rage, the consequences would be very serious.

"And what about Dr. Shi?"

"What is he doing?"

"He is currently accompanied by Ye Qingzhou and Golden Scorpion, observing the martial arts hall's student training. I heard that at Ye Qingzhou's invitation, he's going to observe the White Clothing Society's member selection in a while."

Tang Long nodded slightly. "Then there's no rush to meet him either. Let him walk around and see more; I'll rest for a day first."

Liu Zhiming asked again, "Is your body truly okay? Should I select a few doctors from The Sect to come over?"

Tang Long smiled. "Don't worry, Elder. I'm like a cockroach; as long as I'm not beaten to death, I'll be back on my feet in no time. Right, please notify Red Hand to send over those Sun Worshipers we have in custody."

Liu Zhiming was startled. "What do you want with the Sun Worshipers, Excellency?"

Tang Long's smile became even more peculiar. "I was just assassinated, which shows there's a loophole in the martial arts hall's security. I'll bring a few people over to watch the house. They're all in the Blood Refining Upper Realm; it's a waste to keep them in a cell. I'll put them to use first."

Liu Zhiming was dumbfounded.

"Excellency, you aren't joking with this old man, are you?"

"They tried to assassinate you once before and even injured one of your arms."

"Now you've just survived another assassination attempt that nearly cost you your life, and you want to bring people like that to your side?"

"If you need protection, The Sect has plenty of reliable people, yet you've never used them!"

"Doing this..."

As he spoke, Liu Zhiming's old eyes suddenly widened.

"Excellency! You aren't planning to make a move against the Governor's wife, are you?"

"This old man advises you, even if you want to deal with the Wei Family, you can't be too hasty."

"Targeting Madam Wei would easily provoke Governor Xu. Song City cannot fall into chaos!"

Tang Long shook his head. "You're overthinking it, Elder Liu. I was just discussing with Bishop Wei how to preserve the Wei Family. If you don't believe me, go ask him."

"But if you do this, what will Madam Wei and the others think?"

"Elder Liu worries too much." Tang Long coughed twice more.

"You say Song City cannot fall into chaos, and I agree with that completely. So today's events should end here; we shouldn't let the influence spread any further."

"Doing this is precisely a suitable warning to stop them from taking desperate risks. If anyone in the Wei Family is still irrational, then they are the ones trying to harm Madam Wei."

"Those Sun Worshipers should be able to figure this out as well. So not only will they not harm me, they will do their utmost to protect me."

"To use people, one must use them by their weaknesses."

Hearing this, Liu Zhiming fell silent for a few seconds before letting out a long sigh.

"I have to admit I'm getting old. An old man like me probably can't keep up with your way of thinking. So, have you also thought of a countermeasure regarding the Imperial Academy?"

"It's not a big problem. Once my physical condition is better tomorrow, I'll have a good talk with Dr. Shi."

"The Pope's side... seems to be making moves as well. Are you aware?"

"I have a plan."

"Since you've considered everything thoroughly, we'll do as you wish. If you need anything, just say the word. This old man might not be good for much else, but I can certainly provide some support."

"Chief, you are too modest. An elder in the house is like a treasure; I still have much to learn from you."

"I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

Liu Zhiming placed the thunder emperor pearl by his bedside as he spoke, then left with a smile.

The room fell quiet. Tang Long breathed a small sigh of relief, feeling like... he was becoming a bad person.

Although the situation was increasingly verging on spiraling out of control, changing almost by the day—if it was dancing on a knife's edge before, it was now disco-dancing on a landmine; even he was nearly unable to keep it under control.

But... it felt so good, so thrilling.

Being a villain is damn exciting!

Back when he was a thief in his previous life, he occasionally felt some regret and often wanted to start over as an ordinary, honest person.

But since his rebirth, the more he played, the more hyped he got. Why did it feel like he didn't want to go back?

Well, I'm doing this to save the Earth!

Really!

————

Peng Lin and the others were also dazed when they were brought out of the dungeon.

They originally thought their time had come, but Red Hand told them they were to be Tang Long's bodyguards.

Even after arriving at the entrance of the Jinyue Martial Arts Hall, no one's brain could wrap around this turn of events.

"Sister Peng Lin, are you sure you didn't mishear? We're supposed to protect that Tang Long?"

"We were imprisoned for trying to assassinate him, and now we're being released to protect him."

"I heard it was his own idea."

"Isn't he afraid we'll take the chance to strike again?"

"The Sect has already traced things back to the Madam. If we act recklessly, it will implicate her."

"Even so, there's no way we're working for him!"

"Either he's crazy, or we are."

"I'm starting to understand a bit." Peng Lin sighed. "That red-robed man told me that just an hour ago, Wei Zhuang of the Jingan Division plotted to assassinate Tang Long and stole a treasure from him. Then The Sect came knocking and executed Wei Zhuang."

"Tang Long transferring us to his side is likely to find the Madam's faults through us. If something like this happens again, he can easily pin the blame on her."

"So we really can't let anything happen to him, nor can we let him catch us in any wrongdoing."

Hearing that Tang Long was so sinister, the Sun Worshipers were all horrified.

However, before they even entered the door, they saw Liu Zhiming and Xie Jin coming out side-by-side, talking and laughing.

Walking further in, they saw Shi Chengyu, accompanied by Ye Qingzhou, observing the instruction of the martial arts hall's students.

These three were clearly Spirit Map experts. Although they didn't wantonly release the power of their Spirit Maps, they didn't deliberately hide all of their auras either.

After asking for the hall master's office, they had just reached the second floor when an unremarkable-looking man was already waiting at the top of the stairs.

Peng Lin's pupils couldn't help but shrink because she could sense that this man was also an expert, likely not inferior to her.

She and her subordinates became even more convinced that Tang Long was not lacking bodyguards; calling them here was for another scheme.

"This must be Ms. Peng Lin, right?"

"Let me introduce myself. I am Gu Yue, the Human Resources Manager of Jinyue Company and the second secretary to Mr. Tang Long."

"The boss has already given the word. Starting today, Ms. Peng and the rest of you will form the company's Security Department. I will also temporarily serve as the department head."

"Ms. Peng will be the deputy head with a monthly salary of 12,000. The rest of you will be staff members with a monthly salary of 7,000."

"I will now distribute your employee cards. Please raise your hand when your name is called. Deputy Head Peng, this is yours."

"Zhao Xiaohe!"

"Ma Jia!"

"Zhu Shigui! Zhou Bin!"

...

After completing the simple onboarding process, the Sun Worshipers were even more bewildered.

They were actually being given a salary?

It wasn't much, but... was this logical?