Four Pillars of the Black Iron City (Part 4)

In the reading room of the City Governor's Manor.

Because the City Governor was rare to stay in the manor, this room was used as Quan Jingyi's working place.

"So, what do you think?" Quan Jingyi asked as he was fiddling with a stack of papers in front of him. He returned to his reading room and continued his work as representative of City Governor.

Lingtian moved forward to pour tea. "Please define what you mean by 'what'."

"Ahaha, I mean those three people. Don't say that you forget." Quan Jingyi didn't spare his glance toward Lingtian, but he was still focused with the quill on his right hand and paper in front of him. His hand never stopped moving as one by another paper was signed by him.

". . . Country Bumpkin."

"Are you sure? How about that woman?"

Lingtian sat down in front of Quan Jingyi and she sipped the tea that she just poured. Her movement was fluid and comfortable, as if Lingtian was the owner of the room.

Her behaviour as if she was not a mere maid.

". . . So-so."

"Really? But you sure feel disappointed when I told you to stand back." Quan Jingyi rolled his eyes.

"Without a fight, it is hard to determine who is the stronger one." Langtian replied as if it was the matter of fact. "But your stare is too obvious. Lolicon?"

Quan Jingyi stopped the movement of the quill in his right hand as his eyebrows twitched. He couldn't believe what he just heard.

"Really? Lolicon? Lin Lingtian, that is how you look at me? Nothing else? How about the valiant figure of me?" Quan Jingyi hit his chest a few times. He had completely left his work.

". . . Pedo?"

Quan Jingyi shook his head, "Forget it."

As the image of the little girl appeared, Quan Jingyi's expression was serious.

Quan Jingyi was interested in the little girl rather than a pair of a hidden expert. Once was a fluke, twice might be a coincidence, but thrice sure was intentional.

Quan Jingyi was appointed as representative of City Governor not only because of his flawless work, but also his sharp intuition. For other people, it might be seen as a pair of sister accompanied by a strong man. Moreover, the little girl was more like the weakness for them.

But Quan Jingyi thought the otherwise.

The little girl was smart enough and had a wide knowledge if compared with the man called Fu Tao. Quan Jingyi had a hunch that anyone had a design toward the trio would end up miserable.

The reading room returned to its serenity as it was filled with the sound of scribbling.

Lin Lingtian was the first to break the silence. "Why did you send them to the abandoned mine?"

Quan Jingyi smiled in his response. "Killing two birds using one stone. Not only taking care of the problem at the abandoned mine, but also making sure the intention of the Red Rage Bear Mercenary and Lin Family. If they have any design for City Governor's position, they will not let this chance away."

"Do you need me to create a rumour?"

"No need. Ever since he arrived at this Manor, many have been spying on them. If we make any reckless move, they will increase their vigilance, and it will be our disadvantage."

Lin Lingtian didn't ask anything else as she kept pouring tea for herself.

"Sigh. When will our City Governor return? She has been having fun outside, and never sends any contact. Quan Jingyi murmured while the paperwork in front of him began to occupy all of his attention.

The work as the representative of City Governor was never easy.

…

In the grand hall of Red Rage Bear Mercenary's headquarter, Lian Luoyang was covered with chilly atmosphere and looked down with the condescending look.

"PAK!"

Lian Lingtian had a different expression as what he had shown earlier in front of Fu Tao. He was expressionless, cold, and there was indifference in his gaze toward the bloodied figure under him.

"Le- leader, cough!" The bloodied figure trembled as he puked a mouthful of blood. Even Lian Luoyang's foot was placed above his head, Chen Lao didn't dare to retaliate at all.

Chen Lao was as powerless as an ant.

"Do you know your fault?"

Even though it was only a short question, Chen Lao felt as if he was thrown into the bottom of the lake.

"Tsk. How incompetent." With one last kick, Chen Lao's body was flung forward like a rag.

"Leader, how should we take care of that person called Fu Tao? Do we leave them alone so our plan will not go awry?" A thin man asked Lian Luoyang.

A cold glint flashed on Lian Luoyang's eyes. "Leave them alone. We can use him for our diversion. No, send some people to follow their trails. Make a little trouble for them. They can act as our diversion."

Lian Luoyang sat down as he fell in deep thought. No one dared to create any sound when their leader, Lian Luoyang was silent.

Lian Luoyang tapped the desk many times as he stared at the thin man. "Mo Zhangjin, Have you found anything about her mother's news?"

"Reporting, we have found some trails, but it is still not enough to deduct it. Ever since the wife of Lin Pinghan, the current patriarch of the Lin Family disappeared, there was no trace of her. There is no one that was close to her, thus making our search too wide."

Mo Zhangjin wanted to say more, but he hesitated. Lian Luoyang only swept a glance toward Mo Zhangjin before said, "Continue."

"Ye- yes, Leader. I have a question, why do we need the news of Lin Pinghan's wife? It is well-known fact that this person is only a wastrel? Ever since she saved Lin Pinghan before he became the patriarch, Lin Pinghan vowed to marry the woman. But after giving birth to a daughter, many said that this woman was killed by Lin Pinghan's hand himself."

"If I want to get Lin Huanghuang as my wife, then giving the news about her mother's where about will be a good present for her." Lian Luoyang had a warm smile pasted on his face like the morning sun, but Mo Zhangjin and Chen Lao felt the otherwise.

Their body shivered not because of cold, but rather fear. The bone-piercing fear that came from Lian Luoyang.

They understood the real nature of their leader, a cruel and cold-blooded warrior. But because of that, Red Rage Bear Mercenary was able to reach this position all because of himself.

Ruthless toward anyone, but also full of façade.

Of course, more than half of the Red Rage Bear Mercenary's notoriety was all Lian Luoyang's doing. Using his subordinate's fiery and wild temper, Lian Luoyang was able to shift the blame toward another. Without a good control of his own subordinates, this feat was almost impossible.

But there was one thing that they couldn't comprehend. There are many kinds of beautiful and talented young lady, but why their leader was very fixated on the unfavoured daughter of the Lin Family?

Was it because of wealth? But Lian Luoyang was able to make a mountain of coins! It was not hard for an Elemental to have wealth.

Because of Lin Huanghuang's beauty? It was possible, but there was no need for an extreme obsession. Lian Luoyang could choose a few beauty and had fun with them, but he never did that.

Or maybe because of her talent? Lian Huanghuang was a Grade 1 Spirit User. Even though it was rare for someone as young as her to achieve this, it was not outstanding.

"Okay, take care of that. Ah, how about her? Is it the usual?" Lian Luoyang continued his question as if he didn't realize the chill atmosphere around him.

"Ye-yes, Miss Lin Huanghuang is as usual. Holed up in her courtyard, and also being bullied by the servants. Our people have been observing day and night, so there is nothing that we missed." Mo Zhangjin replied as he also was tasked for Lin Huanghuang's surveillance in Lin Family's residence.

"Good. Keep doing it even after I go out of this place." Lian Luoyang had a slight nod as he closed his eyes.

Mo Zhangjin's pair of eye brightened up as his breathing grew faster.

"Leader, have you found it?"

"Yeah, I am sure that this information is at least 80% right. That thing is in the deepest part of the Abandoned Mine. There is a high possibility that some other parties also hear about this rumour. The conflict has started even before I realize." Lian Luoyang tapped stared upward, toward the sun. "Mo Zhangjin. I will give you full control of this place since I will leave this place for the time being. Keep a good leash, don't attract any attention. Especially, the City Governor's people."

Mo Zhangjin kneeled down as he stared at Lian Luoyang. "Yes! I will not disappoint you!"

But the warm atmosphere around Lian Luoyang suddenly dropped and became cold. "Don't make any mess. If this plan fails, you know what the price is."

Killing intent emanated from Lian Luoyang's body and it was pressuring Mo Zhangjin and Chen Lao's body. Mo Zhangjin didn't dare to raise his head because the pressure he felt was enough to make him froze on the spot.

But Chen Lao was not as lucky as Mo Zhangjin. His wounded body and weakened internal organ were pressured and in the end, he paled and puked another mouthful of blood. His body was weak, unlike the time he challenged Fu Tao.

"Good. I will make the preparation for this few days. Don't disappoint me."

"Understood."

…