"How should we deal with them?" Ling Dong murmured, but remained silent. He was clearly deliberating.
Ling Dong's deliberation was not a big deal, but it caused Gongsun Zhanyi and Chief Mei Zian, who were waiting for the final judgment, to fall into endless torment.
It felt as if they were waiting for the final moment of their lives. All kinds of thoughts flew through their minds. There was regret, anger, helplessness, and regret.
In the short span of a few breaths while Ling Dong was deliberating, Mei Zian and Gongsun Zhanyi seemed to have experienced several lifetimes of setbacks. Before Ling Dong even spoke, their faces had already turned ashen.
But what surprised or perhaps expected was that Gongsun Zhanyi, who was over two meters tall and had a thick beard, seemed to be unable to wait any longer. As he strode forward, his ashen face was indifferent. "The winner takes all. I have nothing to say. I'll let Young Master Ling deal with me. I only hope that Young Master Ling can let go of my … family!"
Gongsun Zhanyi's words of resignation made Ling Dong, who had just made his decision, rub his nose helplessly. Did he really look like an evil person who would exterminate a clan at the slightest provocation?
With this thought, Ling Dong was even more certain of his decision. But then again, Gongsun Zhanyi's actions made Ling Dong suddenly have a good impression of him.
In this world, everyone worked for their own master, and everyone worked for their own benefit. After the dust settled, the winner took all, and the loser took all, while the hero took all.
After deliberating for a while, Ling Dong said to Wu Zhengyang and the two Palace Masters, "Old Wu, Palace Masters, let's start from the root of how to deal with these two, lest the Tenmu Temple's foundation be shaken."
Hearing this, Wu Zhengyang's expression turned cold. He immediately cupped his hands at Ling Dong and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Young Master Ling." Wu Zheng Yang waved his hand and said, "There's no need to be so courteous, Young Master Ling. You can just call me by my name in the future. It'll be more cordial that way."
"First name, that's fine." Ling Dong smiled and asked, "Old Wu, how should I address your son?"
"Didn't they tell you just now?" Wu Zhengyang asked in astonishment.
"You told me?" Ling Dong didn't quite understand. After being stunned for a moment, he recalled the way these two people addressed themselves. Then, he asked doubtfully, "Wu Zuo Wu You?"
Seeing Ling Dong's puzzled appearance, the two Palace Masters, Wu Zuo and Wu You, revealed embarrassed expressions at the same time. Clearly, this was not the first time they had encountered such an embarrassing situation because of this name.
"Wu Zuo, Wu You. I say, Old Wu, aren't you too … too …" Ling Dong was speechless. To be able to give his twin sons such simple names, Wu Zhengyang must have been an exceptional person when he was young.
"Heh, what's wrong with this name? It's simple and easy to remember. Anyone who hears it will immediately leave an impression." Wu Zhengyang chuckled and shouted at his two sons, "What's the root of this matter? Hurry up and tell me."
But at this time, no one noticed that Bai Bai Xuan, who had attacked viciously earlier, was dodging to the side. His eyebrows were furrowed as if he was conflicted about something.
In fact, with Ling Dong's current status and power, he could directly kill Mei Zian and Gongsun Zhanyi with a single word. Destroying their souls and even exterminating their entire clan would be a cinch.
But Ling Dong considered that this wasn't a one-time deal. With Wu Zhengyang's soul oath, the Tenmu Temple could be considered a subordinate force of Ling Dong's subordinates.
In other words, it was Ling Dong's own business. Ling Dong didn't want to alienate the Tenmu Temple because of this matter. He didn't want Ling Dong to have a bad reputation.
In this era that paid great attention to a martial artist's personal strength, protecting one's own shortcomings was a necessary quality for any large sect. This was a strange era that paid attention to compromise but also paid attention to broken jade.
For example, on the surface, Mei Zian and Gongsun Zhanyi had been dealt with for the sake of protecting the Tenmu Temple's interests.
If word got out, Ling Dong's background was terrifying and forced the Tenmu Temple to hand over Mei Zian and Gongsun Zhanyi, who had protected the Tenmu Temple's interests. Then these two people would become heroes and the higher-ups of the Tenmu Temple would become cowards who admitted defeat. With a little push, it could cause a great uproar.
In front of everyone, the two Palace Masters of the Tenmu Temple, Wu Zuo and Wu You, recounted what they knew about this matter from beginning to end. Then they let Mei Zian and Gongsun Zhanyi defend themselves.
Gongsun Zhanyi aside, at this moment, Mei Zian seemed to have grasped at a life-saving straw and rationally grasped the righteousness. He had offended Ling Dong for the sake of the Tenmu Temple's interests.
White-clothed Special Envoy Yu Lianggong had discovered that Ling Dong had neglected his duties and came to inspect the Yangkou branch hall. He had also discovered Pi Jianan's death. In the end, he insisted that Ling Dong had taken the initiative to kill the Special Envoy Yu Jianan, which was why he had done so.
Hearing this, Ling Dong sneered, "The root of all this is my negligence as the Hall Master, isn't it?" Ling Dong turned to look at Wu Zhengyang and suddenly said, "At that time, I was there. Elder Wu knows best. Besides, someone has been handling the Hall's affairs. You haven't neglected it, have you? "
Wu Zhengyang's expression turned serious. He shouted sternly, "Mei Zian, what are your intentions? How dare you frame Young Master Ling?" After he finished speaking, his gaze slowly swept across everyone's faces. "For the past two months, Young Master Ling has been handling that matter at the Star Dou Mountain Range. I'm not the only one who can testify for Young Master Ling. Even Bu Ziwen, Wu Sheng, and the others who you're familiar with can testify that Young Master Ling has been at the Star Dou Mountain Range for the past two months. "
At this point, Wu Zhengyang ignored everyone's shock and sighed again. "Actually, if it weren't for Young Master Ling, I definitely wouldn't have been able to obtain that treasure. It was all thanks to Young Master Ling that I obtained that treasure!"
"Hiss …" Palace Lord Wu Zuo and Wu You's eyes immediately widened. The reverence in their eyes when they looked at Ling Dong had already turned into worship.
Before this, they had only thought that Ling Dong had a powerful background and an extraordinary existence behind him. That was why their father was so respectful. They also knew about the Star Dou Mountain Range incident. They had never thought that Ling Dong would be able to stand with the existence there. They knew very well what kind of existence went there.
It was already difficult to go there, and to be able to handle the matter there. Just how powerful of a background and ability did one have to be to do that?
Thinking of this, Wu Zuo and Wu You were completely convinced of Ling Dong's abilities.
On the side, Gongsun Zhanyi listened to Wu Zhengyang's words. He finally understood what a stupid thing he had done, and where he had gone wrong today. While his heart was in a mess, he suddenly made a decision.
"It was Supervisor Mei Zian who conspired with me to frame Young Master Ling. He wanted everything from the Ling family, and he gave me ten consecutive years of excellent examinations. He even agreed to give the position of Yuanzhou's supervisor to someone I recommended …" After saying this, Gongsun Zhanyi closed his eyes in desolation.
Everything depended on man, and everything depended on the heavens. He had already done everything he could for his life. As for wagging his tail and begging for his life like a dog, he would not do such a thing.
"Bastard!"
"How dare you, thief!" At the same time, Wu Zhengyang, Wu Zuo, and Wu You furiously roared at Mei Zian. Their faces were filled with fury, especially Wu You. He wanted nothing more than to tear Mei Zian apart.
"You … will die a horrible death!" Mei Zian glared hatefully at Gongsun Zhanyi, his eyes spitting fire. He wanted nothing more than to swallow Gongsun Zhanyi alive because he knew that Gongsun Zhanyi's words had completely cut off the chance of survival he had dared to fight for!
"Bang!"
Without waiting for Ling Dong to make a move, Wu Zhengyang had already kicked Mei Zian more than a hundred meters into the air. Wu Zhengyang's attack was filled with anger, and he used a lot of strength. When Mei Zian fell from the sky, he had already spat out chunks of what looked like internal organs.
"The Supervisor Headquarters is the divine weapon of our Tenmu Temple. How dare you make a private wish for personal gain, and disregard the thousand-year-old foundation of the Tenmu Temple. You deserve to die ten thousand times for your crimes!" Wu Zhengyang's face suddenly turned extremely cold.
Without another word, he slapped his two sons in the face twice. "You still dare to say that everything is normal? The Palace's Hai Qing River Dam, and the Supervisor Headquarters' Supervisor Privileges have all been traded away. I'm afraid you won't even know when you've been sold."
Ling Dong had seen Wu Zhengyang's fiery temper today. In front of so many people, he had slapped the two Supreme Palace Masters like he was slapping his grandsons.
"From today onwards, Wu Zuo will be in charge of the entire Palace, and Wu You will personally take charge of the Supervisor Headquarters. We will completely reorganize the Supervisor Headquarters." After issuing this order in a towering rage, Wu Zhengyang's expression changed slightly, and he asked Ling Dong for instructions, "May I ask Young Master Ling to become the Grand Palace Master of the Tenmu Temple, which is to say, the Grand Elder of the Tenmu Temple? Currently, I am the only Grand Elder of the Tenmu Temple. "
Hearing this, Ling Dong was slightly stunned. These things were naturally expected, but Ling Dong didn't expect Wu Zhengyang to bring it up in front of so many people.
On second thought, Ling Dong understood. Wu Zhengyang was not stupid. He had tied him to the position of Grand Elder of the Tenmu Temple long ago. Compared to the other half-step Zhou Tian Orthodox Gods, he was one level closer.
Ling Dong naturally agreed to Wu Zhengyang's request on the spot. Then, the Left and Right Palace Masters, the elites of the Tenmu Temple present, paid their respects to Ling Dong on the spot. They would choose a day for a meeting with the higher-ups of the Tenmu Temple.
"Come, destroy Mei Zian's cultivation, kill his soul, and put him to death by a thousand cuts!" After paying his respects to Ling Dong, the furious Right Palace Master, Wu You, directly dealt with Mei Zian, who had made them suffer two slaps in a row.
Even though Mei Zian was quick to react and wanted to commit suicide, he still failed. He was captured by the Right Palace Master's guards, and his eyes were full of fear. "Also, take down Mei Zian's clansmen and send them to Lai Province as mine slaves. They are not to be released for 100 years!"
Hearing this, the martial artists of the Tenmu Temple immediately looked miserable. Even if they were in the Constellation Realm, their cultivation would be destroyed as mine slaves for 100 years. They might not even be able to last 100 years.
In the Tenmu Temple, the treatment of mine slaves and miners was completely different.
After dealing with Mei Zian in anger, the Right Palace Master saw that Ling Dong was satisfied. Then, he looked at Gongsun Zhanyi and frowned. "Gongsun Zhanyi is to be executed immediately. His family property will be confiscated, and his clansmen will be exiled …"
"Right Palace Master, can you do Ling a favor and spare Gongsun Zhanyi's life?" Just as the Right Palace Master was about to punish Gongsun Zhanyi, and even Gongsun Zhanyi was about to accept his fate, Ling Dong suddenly spoke up.
Wu You looked at Ling Dong with some doubts. "Since the Supreme Consecrator has spoken, there is no reason not to comply. However, this Gongsun Zhanyi has bad intentions …"
"It's fine. It would be a pity to kill a martial artist who has broken through to the Ninth Level of the Celestial Lord Realm. It's not a bad idea to keep him around. As for his bad intentions, I have a way to deal with him, "Ling Dong said.
Hearing this, the Right Palace Master didn't insist. He glared fiercely at Gongsun Zhanyi and said, "Hurry up and thank the Supreme Consecrator!"
The corner of Gongsun Zhanyi's mouth twitched a few times. He stepped forward with a wooden expression and knelt down. "Gongsun Zhanyi greets the Supreme Consecrator." However, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. A few months ago, Ling Dong had to pay respects to him even when he was talking to him from afar. But now, he was kneeling in front of Ling Dong …
After dealing with these matters, Ling Dong invited Wu Zhengyang and the others to his residence for a gathering. As for Gongsun Zhanyi, he had to deal with him separately.
Wu Zhengyang, Bai Bai Xuan, Wu Zuo, and Wu You were naturally happy to accept Ling Dong's invitation.
When the group entered the Ling family Castle's living room, Bai Bai Xuan, who had been hesitating for a long time, finally couldn't hold back. He anxiously pulled Ling Dong aside and asked in a low voice, "Is what the owner said true?"
*****
PS: Thank you, reader Su Yang, for your support. Thank you, reader Su Yang, Gao Shengzhi, and Ping Ping 'an for their monthly votes. Thank you, brothers, for your support! (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to qidian.com to vote for me. Your support is my biggest motivation.)
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