Chapter 70: Hidden Currents Stirring
“Yeah, some people still mistakenly think I have something going on with Xiao Yun, but they can’t make a move on me directly—doing so would only earn them Xiao Yun’s resentment.”
“If Xiao Yun holds a grudge, then she can’t be won over. Without that, they can’t tie the Xiao Family to themselves, and naturally can’t get access to Xiao Lei’s connection.”
“So, the only thing they can do is make Xiao Yun—or the Xiao Family—grow distant from us, by having us constantly go to them for help, until that closeness turns into annoyance or even dislike.”
After hearing Zhou Ming’s analysis, Wang Yan was left utterly dumbfounded.
“It’s that complicated?”
After running around the arena so many times, Wang Yan suddenly felt that these upper-class people were way too complicated.
“Think about it. How much profit can those three construction projects of yours make? And think about me—what do I have that’s worth the attention of those in power?”
“Do you know how much profit Xiao Lei can touch?”
“I don’t.”
At this moment, Wang Yan looked just like a student called upon by the teacher to answer a question, completely at a loss.
“There are only a little over a hundred Transcendent Master-level Beast Tamers in the entire Blue Star Alliance, based on the numbers made public. Even if that’s inaccurate, at most it’s only double that.”
“Since the founding of Qinshan Base, not a single Transcendent Master has appeared. Why? Besides resources and talent, the most crucial reason lies in the Transcendent Ritual required to ascend to that rank.”
“If someone can become Xiao Lei’s brother-in-law, they might gain the opportunity to access that ritual. Even if they can’t obtain it, as long as Xiao Lei himself becomes a Transcendent Master-level Beast Tamer, there’s still plenty of profit to be gained through him.”
“You should know—a Transcendent Master-level Beast Tamer has a lifespan of over three hundred years. Who wouldn’t want that? Who wouldn’t desire such protection? With a Transcendent Master guarding them, a family could remain prosperous for two centuries.”
Hearing Zhou Ming’s thorough explanation, Wang Yan couldn’t help but swallow nervously.
“Zhou Ming, what should we do then?”
Even someone as slow as Wang Yan knew that when stakes were this high, they could be crushed to pieces at any moment.
“Now you know to be afraid, huh?”
Seeing Wang Yan’s pale face, Zhou Ming teased lightly.
“You’re not afraid?”
“When I left Qinshan Base, I already understood—being afraid is fine, but retreating isn’t an option.”
“This time, the other side was merely testing the waters. It should’ve been done by one person or one faction, so things haven’t reached the worst point yet.”
“What you need to do when you go back is help me investigate what I just asked you to check. I need to see who’s plotting behind the scenes.”
“Oh, and about the construction projects—make sure the profits are reasonable. Don’t let Uncle Wang get too involved just because we won this round in the arena.”
“I’ll remind my dad about that. Even if I don’t, knowing his personality, he won’t get too greedy.”
“That’s good. Then head back for now; we’ll stay in touch by phone.”
“Alright.”
As Wang Yan was about to turn and leave, something seemed to occur to him, and he looked back to ask Zhou Ming,
“Zhou Ming, how did you deal with that Golden Cobra?”
When he had dealt with the Golden Cobra, Zhou Ming had put on colored contact lenses immediately afterward—besides Hu Peng, no one had seen his serpent eyes.
“Secret.”
“You mysterious guy… Fine, don’t tell me then.”
Although curious, Wang Yan knew his limits and didn’t pry further. After bidding Zhou Ming goodbye, he walked toward the parked car behind him.
Watching Wang Yan start his car and drive off, Zhou Ming turned and headed for his own.
The car Zhou Ming bought back when he completed the Cunning Fox mission now served as his daily transportation.
“Haah.”
Sitting in the driver’s seat, Zhou Ming felt a surge of irritation as he thought about all these hidden schemes and manipulations. He really wished he could cut through all the chaos cleanly with one stroke.
But then, thinking of his current strength, all he could do was sigh softly.
In the end, he could only calm his heart and drive toward his residence.
……
Luo Hill—two connected low hills located within Qinshan Base’s inner city, occupying about one square kilometer.
This was the most important area within the inner city.
Because all the families that truly held power or great strength in Qinshan Base lived here.
The place was lush with trees and fragrant with flowers. Backed by immense wealth and resources, it maintained a springlike climate all year round.
Amid the woods, villas of various styles were hidden among the trees, each with its own character.
Luo Hill was divided into the Front Hill and Back Hill. The Front Hill was occupied by several century-old families of Qinshan Base, while the Back Hill was mainly home to Official Rank Beast Tamers or high-ranking government officials.
In a classical-style residence on the Front Hill, an elderly man with neatly combed silver hair, dressed in formal, old-fashioned attire, approached a door and knocked lightly.
“Come in.”
The voice from within was soft, yet the pronunciation was clear and precise.
The old man entered. Inside sat a composed man exuding a noble aura, flipping through a book in his hands.
“Young Master, news has come from Xin Hui Construction Group.”
After speaking, the old man stood respectfully by the door, awaiting the man’s instructions.
“Oh? And the result?”
The man seemed indifferent to the report, asking casually while continuing to read.
“They failed. Zhou Ming defeated both opponents by himself. Hu Peng, who possessed the Golden Cobra, was killed instantly. The report says Zhou Ming has a pair of special eyes that seem to exert a suppressive effect on serpentine Ferocious Beasts.”
“Oh? Interesting.”
Hearing the detailed report, the man finally paused his reading, his interest in Zhou Ming clearly piqued.
“Young Master, should we…”
As a servant, he had no right to offer opinions to his master. Even with his seniority, the old man only spoke halfway, awaiting his master’s decision.
“Forget it. This was just a casual move—a pawn played idly. If we interfere again, I’m not worried about what tricks Zhou Ming might have; I’m more concerned that certain people might notice and word could reach Xiao Yun. That would ruin everything.”
“But… what if the Xiao Family’s young lady truly has feelings for this Zhou Ming? After all, those involved are often the ones most blind to it.”
“Don’t worry. If things are really as you say, then there are others even more anxious than us—they’ll take care of it for us.”
“You may go.”
“Yes.”
Seeing the man’s attitude, the silver-haired old servant dared not press further. He opened the door and quietly withdrew.
“Who would’ve thought that such a small place like Qinshan Base could give birth to a real dragon? Even I have to follow family orders to vie for the favor of an ordinary girl. Truly, the world is unpredictable.”
The man sighed at the thought of how a teenage boy had stirred the calm waters of Qinshan Base.
But when he recalled the intelligence from Yunhai Base, he could only admit that the family’s judgment was sound.
According to reports, Xiao Lei might reach Official Rank as a Beast Tamer within a year or two—before the age of twenty—and had several chances to become a Transcendent Master in the future.
Not only in Qinshan Base, but even among the major powers of Yunhai Base, there were already those sending their young women to get close to him.
Fortunately, Xiao Lei’s sister hadn’t gone to Yunhai Base; otherwise, they might not have had the chance to pursue Xiao Yun at all.
“Who would’ve thought that even I, Qin Xiaoting, would have to fight to live off a woman? If word got out, people would laugh their heads off.”
With a bitter laugh at himself, Qin Xiaoting turned another page in his book as the deep night continued in silence.