A Good-for-Nothing

233. Having an Idea (I)

Translator: Dragon Rider

Now that Chen Sanquan had expressed his opinion, the others obviously felt it inappropriate for them to say anything more about this matter.

The conference room fell silent for the third time. Nobody could have foreseen that the intelligence brought back by Zhang Jingqiu and Xiang Hailou would repeatedly render the mood of this meeting awkward before they could get things into shape.

The negotiation reached an impasse.

Elder Chen let out a sigh. “Xiao Zong, Daoyuan, now that Li Zong has put it this way, let’s isolate other members of the Zhu family and the He family first. As for He Zheng… we’ll figure something out later.”

There was manifest indignation on Zhao Yidi’s face, but given the circumstances, there was nothing she could say that would make a difference.

Rather displeased with Elder Chen’s decision, Zong Xian said in a deep and low voice, “Elder Chen, this matter is of great importance. We can’t make a decision like this without further discussion.”

“Things have already come to this. What else is there to discuss?” Elder Chen tossed a casual glance at Zong Xian.

Zong Xian lapsed into silence.

“Li Zong, if anything happens because of He Zheng–”

“I’ll take full responsibility for it.” Li Zong’s eyes raked the others unflinchingly, but when they moved onto Chen Sanquan, he gave a slight inclination of the head as a gesture of appreciation and then said aloud, “I’ll take full responsibility for all conduct of He Zheng’s. If he does have something to do with the Demonic Seed, I’ll personally do what needs to be done.”

“Now that Li Zong has given his word, there’s nothing for us to worry about,” observed Elder Chen.

“This is unacceptable!” Zhang Jingqiu, utterly perplexed, was just about to continue demurring when Zong Xian put his hand against Zhang Jingqiu’s chest and stopped him from standing up.

“Since Elder Chen has made a decision, let’s do it his way.”

Zong Xian glanced at Zhen Daoyuan and added, “Director Zhen, I’m afraid I’ll have to put you to the trouble of dealing with this matter.”

After hearing these words of Zong Xian’s, Zhen Daoyuan, who had been quiet all along, gave a flick of his sleeve and strode out of the room, followed by a bitter Zhang Jingqiu.

Zhao Yidi also appeared rather sulky but eventually kept from saying anything.

Elder Chen patted Li Zong’s shoulder and said, “Tread carefully.”

“Thank you, Elder Chen.”

“I’m a geriatric now, and I’m not sure what I could do to help,” smiled Elder Chen genially, looking at Li Zong. As though with tongue in cheek, he added, “This matter of the Demonic Seed is of great consequence. Don’t let me down, Li Zong.”

Li Zong nodded.

Elder Chen continued, “Zong Xian is the Director General after all. If you go too far, things would get really ugly.”

“I know. Thank you for your help, Elder Chen,” said Li Zong.

Elder Chen waved his hand. “There’s nothing more I could do. Take care of yourself.”

After Elder Chen took his leave, there were only three people left in the conference room. Zhao Fei, who was very sensible, had chosen to wait outside.

What with the pressure from Chen Sanquan the former director general, Zong Xian had compromised, but by making those remarks before leaving, he clearly had also dragged Zhen Daoyuan into this situation.

If anything happened, there was no doubt Zong Xian would have Zhen Daoyuan go down with him.

“Director Zhen, I’m sorry to get you involved in this.” Li Zong had never humbled himself to this degree since he’d joined this department, but on this day, he’d said so many abject words.

But Li Zong’s gratitude was sincere. Had Zhen Daoyuan not made preparations in advance, he would probably have come into conflict with Zong Xian and the others during the meeting.

For Li Zong, his post as vice-superintendent of the SMB was not as important as He Zheng, but if he made an enemy of the whole SMB, things would be quite thorny.

“I got the message and worried that you might do something impulsive, so I invited Elder Chen over, but things have still come to this,” sighed Zhen Daoyuan, shaking his head.

Li Zong slightly pressed his lips together, his mouth a thin line.

“Whatever. Director General Zong would definitely do his best to find out the truth about this matter. He Zheng’s identity is now a sensitive issue. You need to keep an eye on him. In addition, after the recruitment is over, I want you to select some new recruits, get the team for the exorcism championship ready and then set off as soon as possible. Maybe it’ll do some good if you get He Zheng out of this troubled place first.”

Li Zong bobbed his head. If they stayed in Coastal City and they by any chance found something in the Zhu family or the He family, He Zheng would undoubtedly be incriminated. He would be arrested and isolated.

Thinking about this matter, Li Zong lifted his eyes to look at Zhen Daoyuan and lowered his voice. “Director Zhen, I wonder if you could give me a particular authorization.”

Zhen Daoyuan said, “What is it?”

Li Zong said, “I want to personally go to the Zhu family. Old Master Zhu is at his advanced age. What we are going to do is like uprooting the whole Zhu family. A lot of arrangements will have to be made. It’d be more appropriate if I take some men there to help handle it and then bring Old Master Zhu here.”

After hearing his words, Zhen Daoyuan smiled mirthlessly, “You’re always like this…”

Then Zhen Daoyuan gave a sigh. “Okay, then. You have my permission to go there. Given his prestige and identity, Old Master Zhu is not someone to be trifled with. It’ll indeed be more appropriate if we handle this your way.”

Li Zong inclined his head. “Thank you, Director Zhen.”

Zhen Daoyuan waved his hand. “It’s just management of manpower. I don’t have much to do with it.”

He glanced at Li Zong and then said, “But if you’re really going there, you’ll have to lick things into shape first. The announcement about the recruitment of new SMB staff members has already been released. You need to find someone to stand in for you.”

“That won’t be a problem. The other two group leaders have both come back. I’ll return from the Zhu family in two days at the latest.”

Zhen Daoyuan gave a nod. “You always know what you’re doing, so I’ll spare you the nagging.”

Before leaving, Zhen Daoyuan said, “He Zheng and the other couple of trainees have been quite tense during the past few days. You should give them a break.”

He was making it very clear that Li Zong could take He Zheng on his journey to Shen City.

In fact Li Zong had thought about this, but him making a request would be totally different from Zhen Daoyuan bringing it up on his own account. Grateful to him, Li Zong nodded and thanked him again.

Zhen Daoyuan walked off.