Chapter 741: Who else?

"Good evening, everyone. This is Ben Dian Cheng Ji."

Cheng Ji floated onto the high stage, speaking with a smile.

He wasn’t wearing a beast mask, so everyone could see his face clearly. Once they realized who this face and name belonged to…

"Cheng Dianzhu?"

The audience erupted in an instant.

People jumped to their feet one after another.

"So, the person in Box Number One has been Cheng Dianzhu all along? I thought it was just some representative from Sheng Shen Dian Tang…"

"Heavens! Why would Cheng Dianzhu show up here?"

"This must mean something big is about to happen!"

Seeing Cheng Ji, the young people who had come with their family or sect elders were all thrilled, as if they were face-to-face with a legendary idol.

However, the elders in the private seats and boxes looked grim.

Some even immediately contacted the attendants of Ye Mao: "I want to leave."

But the response they all got was just one sentence: "Sorry, that’s not possible."

The highest powers in Wang Cheng’s various territories had already gotten wind of some things beforehand.

As for the dominant forces who were overconfident and unafraid of risks, like Da Xuan Tian Zong and Gui Yin Ge, they hadn’t planned to leave early.

Of course, they were unaware of Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s plans.

The moment Cheng Ji appeared, they stood up to leave, only to be stopped by the attendants as well.

"What’s wrong with you people at Ye Mao? You didn’t even notify us that Cheng Ji was here?" Leng Qi, the sect master of Da Xuan Tian Zong, was furious.

He truly hadn’t expected that the one in Box Number One, who had watched him, Leng Qi, snatch three Void Tokens in one go, would be Cheng Ji himself, not just some ordinary representative from Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

This was ridiculous—how could anyone enjoy the event now?

Could anything good happen with Cheng Ji on site?

This guy had just taken office, and his three fires of reform hadn’t even started with the first one.

He’d been holding back until now, and almost every elder in Wang Cheng knew this old fox was brewing something big.

Now that Cheng Ji had shown up in person, was it just to greet everyone and get familiar? Or was it to unleash his long-accumulated plan?

"How could Cheng Ji be here?"

Xiu Mingyue, the pavilion master of Gui Yin Ge, was equally stunned, her eyes wide in surprise. She quickly searched her memory and realized that tonight, she had bid on a Void Token.

Oh no…

It was like getting caught red-handed by the judge of the underworld—someone who could slap a death warrant on you face-to-face without a word.

Who wouldn’t panic?

Even in Box Number 122, the base of the Yan Wang group, the person in the golden mask, Huang Quan, was a bit surprised.

But he quickly snapped out of it and chuckled: "Of course, if I can think of it, how could Sheng Shen Dian Tang not?"

Bian Hua, standing nearby, grew worried: "Huang Quan Sir, what about us then…"

"No problem."

Huang Quan waved it off with a smile: "At most, it’s just Sheng Shen Dian Tang mobilizing the Bai Yi and Hong Yi to search the entire venue. But it’s only a possibility, and the chances of them pinpointing us are slim."

As soon as he said that, even the usually silent Jiu You Gui Ying raised an eyebrow.

"Bai Yi?"

It was like the natural enemy of ghost beasts in human form, the Hong Yi.

Organizations like Yan Wang were almost all on the Bai Yi’s blacklist.

In their daily dealings, the ones they most often failed against were the Bai Yi!

Hearing the term "Bai Yi" mentioned, Jiu You Gui Ying and Bian Hua’s nerves were immediately on edge.

But it was only for a moment before they calmed down.

Yes, they were afraid of Bai Yi in normal operations because running into one could mean death.

However, right now, they were with Huang Quan Sir.

Since Huang Quan Sir wasn’t panicking, what did they have to worry about?

Why should the eunuchs hurry if the emperor isn’t?

On the high stage.

Cheng Ji didn’t try to suppress anything; he just waited a moment.

Once the crowd’s chaos settled on its own and everyone was listening attentively, he began with a smile: "There’s one thing I need to announce."

His words were utterly commanding.

Everyone could tell that Cheng Dianzhu wasn’t here to discuss matters—he was delivering an indisputable order.

The unrest was hard to contain, but Cheng Ji ignored it and continued: "First, let me clarify: this isn’t Ye Mao’s fault. Sheng Shen Dian Tang took over the entire venue before the transactions ended, so it has nothing to do with them."

"Second, I know everyone is eager to get home, so I won’t waste time with extra talk."

"If you want to leave, that’s fine. Just line up by box number and exit through the main door of the trading hall in order."

At this point, most people were still in the dark.

Someone couldn’t help but shout: "May I ask, Cheng Dianzhu, what’s the reason for all this?"

Cheng Ji smiled: "No particular reason. We just got a tip that some dark forces and ghost beast hosts have infiltrated the trading hall, so we need to conduct a thorough check."

A wave of shock rippled through the audience.

Dark forces, ghost beast hosts…

Most people were just surprised, but since it didn’t involve them, they didn’t care much.

However…

A thorough check…

That word made everyone uneasy.

They all knew what it implied.

Cheng Ji suppressed the void, quieting all the noise, and then smiled again: "Don’t panic, everyone. The innocent have nothing to fear. As long as your crimes aren’t serious enough to warrant intervention from Bai Yi or Hong Yi, you can all go home safely tonight."

No sooner had he finished than the door to Box Number 13 was flung open.

Leng Qi didn’t even bother with his beast mask; his face was dark as he stormed out.

"Cheng Dianzhu, this is going too far!"

"Not even a heads-up, and you’re trying to sweep us all up?"

"When did Wang Cheng become the sole domain of just one branch of Sheng Shen Dian Tang?"

"Even the central headquarters of Sheng Shen Dian Tang in Zhong Yu only claims to maintain continental stability—they’ve never said they have the authority to decide life and death over all forces!"

Leng Qi flicked his sleeve.

The people in the private seats were shocked and suspicious.

Even those who had guessed that Box Number 13 belonged to a dominant force were greatly surprised to see Leng Qi appear.

"Leng Zongzhu?"

"Da Xuan Tian Zong?"

"Wow, as expected of Da Xuan Tian Zong, a true dominant force!"

"We need someone like this to stand up and counter Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s rudeness!"

With someone taking the lead, others naturally followed suit.

No one in the audience wanted to be checked.

And Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s actual authority wasn’t as overarching as the rumors suggested.

So, right then…

As Leng Qi stepped forward, the doors to the major boxes opened one after another.

The heads and representatives of various great forces removed their beast masks and stood out.

At that moment, these rivals who usually competed fiercely were all banding together to support their own factions.

Because if they didn’t stand up now, they might end up on their knees later.

But there were exceptions.

For instance, Box Number 209, like a few other unmoved boxes, stayed quiet with no one coming out.

"Here it comes…" In the box, Liu Changqing stared at the scene, full of amazement.

The situation was unfolding exactly as Xu Shao had scripted—it was incredible!

How could that guy predict that the great forces would band together in resistance?

Though looking at the scene now, Liu Changqing could understand why the great forces were resisting.

But beforehand, when everything was still peaceful, how had Xu Shao read people’s hearts so accurately?

A strategist before the fact versus after—it was a completely different level!

Gazing at Xu Shao, who was sitting cross-legged on the sofa, muttering to himself and immersed in the profound state of "Ban Sheng Jie Dao," Liu Changqing sighed: "At this age, I can’t compare…"

"Be careful."

Mo Mo spoke up at the right time.

She couldn’t predict if things would really play out as Xu Xiaoshou had said.

Just like no one had foreseen that the person in Box Number One was Cheng Ji himself.

Xu Xiaoshou probably hadn’t expected that either.

Truth be told…

Seeing this person appear, Mo Mo felt that even Xu Xiaoshou had underestimated how seriously Sheng Shen Dian Tang was taking tonight’s operation.

"I don’t think these people can muster much resistance." Mu Zi Xi watched the leaders of the major forces, who clearly outnumbered others, but she vaguely felt that Cheng Ji seemed even more confident.

"I feel the same…" Xin Gugu was getting anxious too.

"There’s a chance!" Liu Changqing started praying.

He didn’t want to die.

But if Sheng Shen Dian Tang was acting tonight, the first one they’d check would probably be him—the one trying to discuss ghost beast intelligence right in front of Cheng Dianzhu…

Liu Changqing was filled with despair.

Who could have imagined that the person in Box Number One was called Cheng Ji?

Xiao Wanfeng scanned the people in the box, feeling completely calm.

What was there to it?

Nothing at all!

He didn’t know why everyone was so tense—even Liu Lu was inexplicably uneasy.

But looking at Xu Shao…

Xiao Wanfeng felt reassured.

As long as Xu Shao was as calm as he was, the situation should be fine.

After all, he was the heir of a Ban Sheng!

On site.

Faced with the crowd pressuring him, Cheng Ji still smiled, but he floated into the air, looking down at the people in the boxes and private seats below, and said again:

"You’re all overthinking it."

"I’ve said it before: this time, it’s the Bai Yi and Hong Yi taking action, focusing only on dark forces and ghost beast hosts. We won’t touch your personal affairs."

"Besides, the Bai Yi and Hong Yi organizations stand above Sheng Shen Dian Tang—they’re called ‘transcendent.’"

"If they want to conduct a search, Sheng Shen Dian Tang can only cooperate fully. I hope you all understand that."

He paused, glancing at the sullen faces below, unfazed, and continued his persuasion:

"You’re all leaders of major forces, so you naturally understand how tough it’s been for those frontline veterans to maintain continental stability all these years."

"They have intel, so they need to investigate."

"And rest assured! This isn’t Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s own investigation—it won’t threaten your businesses, industries, or any real issues…"

"Cheng Dianzhu!" Down below, Leng Qi was getting impatient and interrupted loudly.

Cheng Ji narrowed his eyes and turned toward him.

If he remembered correctly, this was the one stirring things up.

Leng Qi sneered: "Cheng Dianzhu, you make it sound so noble, talking about the Bai Yi and Hong Yi carrying out their duties. But in my view, this is all just an excuse, right?"

"Can you guarantee that besides the Bai Yi and Hong Yi, there won’t be any involvement from Sheng Shen Dian Tang?"

Cheng Ji was about to respond, but Leng Qi raised his voice and cut him off:

"Cheng Dianzhu!"

"Some things can’t be forced like this tonight."

"Even when Jiang Dianzhu was in charge, it was all about cooperation, competition, and mutual exchanges with our forces."

Leng Qi looked around at the others, and everyone nodded in agreement. Only then did he turn back to Cheng Ji.

"Your attitude…"

Leng Qi lifted his chin, his eyes full of mockery: "It feels overbearing. Frankly, I, Leng Qi, don’t like it at all!"

Cheng Ji’s smile froze on his face.

He was in the air, while Leng Qi and the others were on the second floor.

It could be seen as overbearing, but that wasn’t the point!

The point was… ever since Cheng Ji took office, countless people had been nitpicking and criticizing.

Inside and out, it all boiled down to:

"This wasn’t handled well; it lacks the grace of the former Jiang Dianzhu."

"That decision lacked vision; if it were the old Jiang Dianzhu, he wouldn’t have done it this way."

Cheng Ji thought to himself, he wasn’t Jiang Bian Yan!

Jiang Bian Yan was all about being accommodating, using soft methods to counter the hard—he, Cheng Ji, wouldn’t stoop to that.

Why did people keep bringing up this predecessor in front of him?

"Are you trying to teach me how to do my job?" Cheng Ji’s eyes widened slightly, his beard and hair fluttering as he clenched his hand, and Leng Qi was suddenly lifted into the air by an invisible force.

The atmosphere tensed instantly.

Everyone below felt their hearts skip a beat, growing nervous.

Cheng Ji wasn’t Jiang Bian Yan.

He had the Cheng family backing him and was also at the Zhan Dao level.

Now, was a Zhan Dao battle about to break out?

But things didn’t unfold as everyone expected.

The suspended Leng Qi didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed: "Is Cheng Dianzhu planning to make a move on me? I just wonder, in what capacity are you doing this?"

"Personally?"

"As the son of the Cheng family patriarch?"

"Or as the head of a Sheng Shen Dian Tang branch?"

Leng Qi didn’t resist at all.

He was also at Zhan Dao, but hanging there powerless, he was certain Cheng Ji wouldn’t dare act.

Because no matter which identity Cheng Ji used, making a move would ruin him.

All his identities would be ruined!

And Sheng Shen Dian Tang’s plans for tonight would completely fall apart amid the backlash.

Who would have thought that even though Cheng Ji was clearly provoked to this extent, he still kept his composure.

He released the binding rule and stopped looking at Leng Qi, instead turning his gaze to the crowd below.

"I just thought Leng Zongzhu didn’t like being looked down on, so I lifted him up for a better view. No need to panic, everyone."

Changing the subject, Cheng Ji swept his cold eyes over the people below and said flatly:

"But I’m also curious to know…"

"Who else here resents being looked down on and wants to resist the search orders from Bai Yi and Hong Yi?"

Leng Qi’s mocking smile froze in mid-air.

Resist the search orders from Bai Yi and Hong Yi?

He hadn’t said anything like that!

If Cheng Ji pinned that on him, he, Leng Qi, would be done for on the spot!

"Cheng Dianzhu, that’s going too far—I never said I wanted to resist…" Leng Qi struggled to defend himself.

But before he could finish, Cheng Ji casually shifted his gaze past him, still staring coldly at the crowd below, and interrupted:

"Let me ask one last time."

"Who else wants to take this position, who wants to resist the search orders from Bai Yi and Hong Yi…"

"Who else—step forward!"