A Good-for-Nothing

88. Jumping the Line Is Shameful (2)

Translator: Dragon Rider

Before Zu Zhichong could say anything, He Zheng loosened his collarband and looked at the young man who had just made those remarks, asking with a frown, “What do you want?”

The young man was neither humble nor pushy, but his raised chin lent him an air of haughtiness. With a cold look in his eyes, he looked down at He Zheng and replied, “Nothing but your apology. Do you not know that jumping the line is a shameful thing to do?”

There was intense, ill-concealed disgust in his tone.

Zu Zhichong, who knew this young man, kept silent. He was Chen Qianlin, the eldest son of the patriarch of Chen family in the Lin City, which was a prestigious large family. He was now learning exorcism skills in the Tigers and Dragons Mountain and was a relatively powerful one among this generation of disciples of the sect.

Originally, the Tigers and Dragons Mountain, the Hezao Sect and the Mao Mountain had been in a situation of tripartite confrontation, but after Zhang Jingqiu got Zong Xian at his back, things had changed and the Tigers and Dragons Mountain seemed, in a not very obvious fashion, to be lording it over the other two sects.

The social position of Chen family was, for all intents and purposes, just as high as that of He family, which meant that Chen Qianlin’s family background was quite powerful. Add to this Zhang Jingqiu who was also from the Tigers and Dragons Mountain, and it was not really surprising that Chen Qianlin had got a chance to come here to enter his name.

Hearing his tone of voice, He Zheng went even more fidgety. Whenever he was in a temper, he could never subdue it, no matter he was in the right or in the wrong. He Zheng was just about to retort when Zu Zhichong, maintaining his composure, stepped to the front of He Zheng and responded with a mild smile, “We jumped the line because we had a task. You got a problem with that, young man?”

With a frown on his face, Chen Qianlin flicked a glance at the employee’s card of Zu Zhichong and found that Zu Zhichong was a member of the first action group. Surprisingly, for some unknown reason, Chen Qianlin, who had always been a conceited man, suddenly fell quiet.

‘Aged ginger is more pungent,’ Zu Zhichong thought smugly. With that, he gave an inclination of his head and said, “I’ll take that as a ‘No’. All right, everybody may continue now. Wait your turn. No jumping the line or jostling. There are a lot of applicants here today. I’d appreciate it if you’d be more understanding.”

After saying this, Zu Zhichong intended to lead He Zheng out of this place first. Jin Qianlai, as if totally unaware of what was going on, hastily yelled at Zu Zhichong, “Hey, hey, hey, Brother Zu! Don’t leave yet! Help me hand in my forms first, will you?”

The corners of Zu Zhichong’s mouth involuntarily twitched. Without even a backward glance, he quickly led He Zheng out of the hall.

He Zheng had been having a sullen face all along and all people nearby were very curious about He Zheng’s identity.

Seeing the two of them had left, a couple of men beside Chen Qianlin, who were from a large sect in the Coastal City, fell into discussion with each other in undertones.

“Hey, do you know who that guy beside the man with a bun is?”

“No. I don’t think I’ve seen him before, but somehow I keep feeling that he looked familiar.”

“Stupid!” The one beside him hit him on the head with his knuckles. “He family! The eldest son of He family…”

He suddenly lowered his voice when saying the latter half of his words, but Chen Qianlin was a pretty good exorcist, so he could make out their whisper distinctly even though their voices were quite muted.

“So he’s that good-for-nothing of He family who married Supt. Li! I wonder how he got the chance to enter his name. To my knowledge, the eldest childe of He family was found to be incapable of cultivating by his family when he was a young boy, which means that he should have no skills whatsoever. Did he come here to play house?”

The look in Chen Qianlin’s eyes went cold and with that he flintily looked in the direction that He Zheng and Zu Zhichong had gone a few moments ago, thinking, ‘So that was He Zheng.’

Having helped He Zheng enter his name, Zu Zhichong was anxious to take He Zheng to Li Zong so that he could claim credit for it.

The two of walked out of the hall and waited at the elevator.

As the elevator went down from the eighth floor, He Zheng, languidly leaning against the window, asked, “Who’s that guy back there?”

“Which one are you referring to?” Zu Zhichong asked but soon realized. “Oh, that’s Chen Qianlin.”

Zu Zhichong suddenly gave a wicked grin. “Speaking of Chen Qianlin, he’s one of Chief’s big fans, and also the youngest son of the patriarch of Chen family in the Lin City. His grandfather and Supt. Li’s used to be comrade-in-arms. The two families have been on good terms since their childhood. It’s said that Chen Qianlin has been holding Supt. Li in admiration since he was a young boy – he virtually idolizes Supt. Li.

“It could be said that this guy is God’s favored one. He’s been learning exorcism in the Tigers and Dragons Mountain and is younger sect-brother to Zhang Jingqiu, the group leader of the second action group. Even if he gave up his chance to participate in STTP, he would also be one of the most likely candidates for a position in SMB.”

He Zheng’s face darkened somewhat. Instead of asking Zu Zhichong how tough Chen Qianlin was, he queried, “He idolizes Li Zong?”

“This is quite normal,” replied Zu Zhichong in a natural tone of voice. “Every year when SMB starts recruiting new staff members, more than half of the applicants enter their names on account of our Chief.”

Seeing the bland expression on He Zheng’s face, he mistakenly believed that He Zheng was worrying about Chen Qianlin being a powerful competitor, so he hurriedly came to his comfort. “It’ll be fine, Cutie. There’s no need whatsoever for you to concern yourself. In terms of skills, as long as you manage to master one tenth of the contents of the handbook your master shifu gave you, you will definitely make those people have a completely different appraisal of you.

Besides, in today’s society, life could be very difficult if you don’t have any backers. Lay a honey trap and have your husband teach you some moves. With such a good teacher, you can hardly fail to make progress.”

Smiling broadly, Zu Zhichong put his arm around He Zheng’s shoulders, as if they were bosom friends. “Don’t be afraid. I got your six. Nobody scares us. Though he’s Zhang Jingqiu’s younger sect-brother, there’s no need for us to be afraid.”

At this time, the elevator door opened with a soft sound. There were several people standing in there: Zhen Daoyuan, Li Zong and a middle-aged man unknown to them. To make things more embarrassing, Zhang Jingqiu was also present, whom Zu Zhichong had just mentioned with disrespect.

And Zhang Jingqiu probably had heard what Zu Zhichong had just said. Face terribly sullen, he gave a snort.

Li Zong, having a bland expression on his face, didn’t say anything. He just softly flicked Zu Zhichong a glance.

The smile on Zu Zhichong’s face gradually froze. He Zheng, as if enjoying this situation pretty much, patted Zu Zhichong on the shoulder as a gesture of sympathy, thinking, ‘I never knew seeing someone’s sorry face could be so delightful.’

“Oh, isn’t this Xiao Zu?” said the middle-aged man standing beside Zhang Jingqiu and Zhen Daoyuan. Cheerful and happy, he looked very amiable.

“E–Elder Chen.” As if having just accidentally bitten his own tongue, Zu Zhichong didn’t even dare to raise his head.

Standing on the spot, He Zheng slightly tilted his head when he glimpsed Li Zong.