75: Chapter 75: Dark Conspiracy (Seeking Recommendation Tickets) 75: Chapter 75: Dark Conspiracy (Seeking Recommendation Tickets) In the spacious hall, a middle-aged Martial Artist with eyes as sharp as an eagle’s, sat at the head, his presence alone exuding immense pressure.
Below him, stood two young Martial Artists, one tall and the other short, both looking extremely restrained.
These two young Martial Artists were Zhao Gangyi and his junior brother, Guo Zhengyang.
And the middle-aged Martial Artist sitting at the head was none other than Zhao Jing, the Left Guardian of the Sunburst Gang in Qinghe Town, second in power only to the Sect Leader Liu Dong, and also their mentor.
“I’ve heard you challenged Bai Ziyue?”
A cold voice suddenly emerged from Zhao Jing’s mouth.
Zhao Gangyi’s body shivered as he replied in a low voice.
In today’s fight, he was sent flying by a single punch, losing miserably.
Even his long-held confidence was almost shattered.
When responding to his mentor, his voice sounded hoarse.
Zhao Jing berated, “Originally, in the selection for a distinguished disciple, you still had a chance given my relationship with Elder Nie.
But now, don’t even think about it anymore.”
“Mentor, does senior brother really have no chance at all?”
Guo Zhengyang hurriedly asked.
“Your talent is inferior, and you lack strength.
On what grounds would you compete?
Bai Ziyue is the Sect Leader’s disciple.
Do you think he is an ordinary gang member whom you can easily handle?”
Zhao Jing snorted coldly, his tone complex.
Just like how Bai Ziyue has rented a house outside, Zhao Gangyi and Guo Zhengyang also rented two courtyards at the entrance of North Street.
They were not far apart; occasionally, they would buy some wine and dishes together to drink and chat.
At this moment, in Zhao Gangyi’s room, Guo Zhengyang watched Zhao Gangyi gulping down strong liquor and said indignantly, “Brother Zhao, are you just going to give up and willingly hand over the title of distinguished disciple to Bai Ziyue?”
Mentor has said that my talent and strength are inferior, so I shouldn’t harbor delusions.”
Zhao Gangyi shook his head, poured another bowl of wine, and drank it down.
If possible, how could he willingly give up this chance?
He had prepared for three whole years for the title of distinguished disciple.
“There might be a way.”
Guo Zhengyang glanced at Zhao Gangyi, his eyes shifting, and suddenly said.
Zhao Gangyi’s action of holding the bowl paused involuntarily.
“If Bai Ziyue dies, wouldn’t everything be perfect?”
Guo Zhengyang’s voice was very light, so low that one had to listen carefully to hear it.
But to Zhao Gangyi, it sounded like thunder, “Are you crazy?”
“Bai Ziyue is the Sect Leader’s disciple.
Even if the Sect Leader doesn’t find out, if our mentor knows, our lives will be at risk.
Do you think Mentor would offend the Sect Leader for us?”
Honestly, Zhao Gangyi felt a bit tempted in that instant, but his heart was still filled with concerns.
If Bai Ziyue were just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple, he would have done it without hesitation.
Over the years, those who had offended him rarely ended up well, including many Inner Sect Disciples within the gang.
But Bai Ziyue’s status as the Sect Leader’s disciple made him extremely apprehensive.
“You really don’t understand Mentor.
Why do you think Mentor was so angry when you challenged Bai Ziyue and lost?
Isn’t it because you spoiled a major plan of his.”
Guo Zhengyang sneered coldly.
“What major plan?” Zhao Gangyi looked skeptical but couldn’t help showing curiosity.
“You know Mentor has always been quite idle over the years.
Do you know the real reason?
The Sect Leader’s suppression!
The Sect Leader has always suppressed Mentor.
The Right Guardian, Liu Yang, controls the mines, taverns, gambling dens, and pleasure boats, all profitable businesses.
The only decent business he has is a transport operation, while the rest are trivial and fragmented, earning barely any silver taels.
So, Mentor has long wanted to leave Qinghe Town and develop in Wujiang County.
But he has been constantly suppressed by the Sect Leader, preventing him from succeeding.
Originally, if your distinguished disciple status were confirmed, Mentor would naturally be able to plan and act with his former connections.
But now that your status as a distinguished disciple is wrecked, do you think Mentor wouldn’t be furious?”
“This is all just your speculation.”
Zhao Gangyi said, slightly persuaded.
“Think about it yourself, and you’ll figure out if it’s true.”
Guo Zhengyang, seeing Zhao Gangyi already tempted, relaxed inwardly and continued, taking advantage of the moment: “If Bai Ziyue remains alive, the Sect Leader will naturally value him.
who cares about a dead genius.
Furthermore, as long as we keep it secret, who will know it’s us?
Even if there are suspicions, Mentor will likely shield us.”
“I need to think this over carefully.
Besides, my strength is not a match for Bai Ziyue.”
Zhao Gangyi frowned and said in a deep voice.
“Brother Zhao, there’s only ten days left before Elder Nie arrives for the distinguished disciple assessment, time is running out.
Moreover, it’s not just you and me who dislike Bai Ziyue.
Wang Jian, who was sent to the mines three years ago, has a good relationship with Brother.
And Zhang Bo, who was also demoted by Bai Ziyue, is currently working under Mentor.
I believe their hatred for Bai Ziyue runs deeper than ours.
And most importantly, their strength is sufficient to deal with an unseasoned Bai Ziyue effortlessly.”
As he spoke, a ruthless expression appeared on Guo Zhengyang’s face.
“Junior Brother Guo, I’m curious, why are you so invested in this matter?”
Zhao Gangyi squinted his eyes, looking coldly at Guo Zhengyang.
Though he drank, it didn’t mean he was drunk.
Guo Zhengyang had been guiding and provoking the whole time, making him somewhat suspicious of the other’s intentions.
“I’m thinking of Brother Zhao, besides, Mentor also has a stake in this.
If you don’t dare, it doesn’t matter to me.
After all, the distinguished disciple title doesn’t concern me.”
Guo Zhengyang’s heart skipped a beat, then he pretended to be angry.
“Hmph, you don’t have the guts either.”
Zhao Gangyi snorted coldly.
For many years Guo Zhengyang had always acted as his junior, making him look down on him.
Hence, he didn’t pay much attention, but he had already begun to contemplate the feasibility of the issue.
However, Wang Jian’s case indeed posed some risks.
After all, he was also at the External Forging level.
Though he had refined the Vajra Lock Jade Technique to the External Forging Bone Marrow level, just one step from the Peak of External Forging, he was only one or two levels higher than Bai Ziyue.
If Bai Ziyue escaped, things could become very troublesome.
So, another person must be added.
Zhang Kuang’s strength was sufficient.
It was rumored that he had broken through to the Inner Cultivation level, but inviting him to take action would certainly require a higher price.
Thinking of this, Zhao Gangyi felt a headache, but seeing Guo Zhengyang’s intent gaze, he smiled.
Since Guo Zhengyang proposed the idea, he should naturally put in effort.