Everyone looked at each other, no one spoke a word.
"Speak up, are you all mute now?" Huangfu Zhen rapped on the table and shouted.
Finally, Xiong Kun spoke up, "Big Master, please calm down. As for this Shang Jingchuan, I actually know him quite well. He was originally the Commander of Yunxiao County. This time he came to the Capital City for a report and somehow became the Prefect of the Capital Prefecture."
"Normally, anyone with a sane mind wouldn’t take on this position, yet Shang Jingchuan did. I think it all stems from someone by his side."
"Who?"
"Zhao Ya!"
"Zhao Ya? Who is this person?" Huangfu Zhen asked.
"Not much of a background, he came with Shang Jingchuan from Yunxiao County, but his strength is quite notable. As soon as he arrived, he had a match with Yan Xizhao of Washing Sword Manor, which was quite even. Later, he fought to a draw with Wang Tiancheng of Golden Saber Institute."
"Oh? He had a draw with both Wang Tiancheng and Yan Xizhao. How strong is this person really?"
"I heard he is a half-step into the Fifth Realm, but his swordsmanship is exceptionally outstanding. To be honest, just before Shang Jingchuan took office, this Zhao Ya killed several of my subordinates in Yongyang Square. Judging by the wounds on the bodies, his ability is quite remarkable," Xiong Kun said.
"So arrogant?" Huangfu Zhen frowned slightly.
If things were as Xiong Kun said, then Zhao Ya absolutely couldn’t be left alive.
Otherwise, wouldn’t Shang Jingchuan gain even more power?
At this moment, Xiong Kun gave Sheng Lianhua a look. Just as Sheng Lianhua was about to speak, someone knocked on the door from outside.
"Reporting to the Big Master and Sea Lords, the Chief Constable Liu Qi of the Capital Prefecture has arrived, saying he has something important to report."
If it were in the past, Huangfu Zhen would have been too lazy to see Liu Qi.
After all, he was just a Chief Constable in a defunct Government Office, holding no real power besides having some money.
But today was different.
Because of Shang Jingchuan’s sudden appointment, the importance of the Capital Prefecture had skyrocketed.
Which also made Liu Qi, working for the Capital Prefecture, become quite sought after.
"Bring him in quickly."
Soon, Liu Qi was brought in, and after paying respects to Huangfu Zhen, Xiong Kun, and others,
Huangfu Zhen asked directly, "What is going on? What exactly does Shang Jingchuan intend to do?"
"Big Master, don’t be impatient. I came here specifically for this matter today," Liu Qi said calmly.
Now that he had Prince Qi backing him, Liu Qi’s confidence had greatly increased, even speaking to Huangfu Zhen without arrogance or servility.
Huangfu Zhen didn’t mind this and listened patiently.
"As soon as Shang Jingchuan took office yesterday, the first thing he did was review old case files. When I visited him today, I found that he had sorted them all out, and the largest category was about your gang. The intention is obvious."
Liu Qi told a small lie here. He did see Shang Jingchuan reviewing files and organizing them separately.
But whether they were about the Four Seas Gang, Liu Qi didn’t know.
But since Prince Qi Yon Xi Fu ordered him to fan the flames, Liu Qi had to make a show of it.
Sure enough.
After hearing this, everyone in the room looked grave.
Especially Huangfu Zhen.
He murmured softly, "As expected, this Shang Jingchuan’s rise to power is clearly aimed at me."
Seeing he had achieved his goal, Liu Qi was secretly pleased but still put on an anxious expression.
"Moreover, I have something important to tell you all. This Zhao Ya beside Shang Jingchuan is not easy to deal with. If you want to tackle Shang Jingchuan, Zhao Ya must be dealt with first."
After saying this, Liu Qi stood up and said, "I must go now, if Shang Jingchuan finds out I met with you, it’ll be trouble."
"Take care!" Huangfu Zhen said politely, then had one of his men escort Liu Qi out.
After he left, Huangfu Zhen’s expression turned grim, "Now that the blade is at our throats, we at the Four Seas Bar cannot sit back idly. So, what good ideas do you have?"
Sheng Lianhua quickly said, "Big Master, why not let me deal with Zhao Ya?"
Huangfu Zhen shook his head, "No, you oversee Changping Square, our biggest cash source at the Four Seas Bar, and it must not be jeopardized. Moreover, Zhao Ya is very formidable, you may not be his match."
Saying this, he turned his gaze to Xiong Kun, who forced a smile, "Big Master, there’s no need for you to give orders, I should take the lead on this matter. However, my internal injuries from fighting the Yaksha Masked Man haven’t fully healed. I might not be up to dealing with Zhao Ya yet."
Seeing Huangfu Zhen’s expression turn cold, Xiong Kun quickly added, "Of course, I’m not trying to evade this. How about this, I’m weak alone, so why not have the Sea Lord from Qingjing Sea, Young Brother Rao, accompany me?"
Lang Songbai, who had been silently sitting by the side, had his eyes flash at this suggestion but showed little expression.
"To be honest, I’ve met Zhao Ya once."
Then Lang Songbai recounted the events that transpired in the Four Seasons Garden. After finishing, he sighed.
"Zhao Ya indeed has considerable skill. The key is that he has no foundation in Yan Capital City, so I initially thought of bringing him into the Four Seas Gang, but that seems impossible now."
"Since he insists on opposing us, the Four Seas Gang, we cannot let him stay. I’m willing to team up with Sea Lord Xiong to eliminate him."
"Good!"
Huangfu Zhen was very pleased with Lang Songbai’s attitude and immediately nodded in agreement, personally appointing him and Xiong Kun to carry out this mission together.
They must eliminate Zhao Ya tonight.