Who could blame him when that needle was still lodged in his body, like a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment!
So, Deacon Zhikong could only grit his teeth and say,
“In response… in response to the Elder, I don’t know what exactly you’ve summoned me for…”
Before he could finish, Elder Sushui erupted in fury.
“You wretched fool! Things have reached this point, and you still want to hide it from someone? Do you really think you’ll only confess the truth after the Hall Master locks you up and interrogates you thoroughly?”
Deacon Zhikong hurriedly shook his head, his mind wavering, unsure whether he should speak up or not.
Suddenly, a commanding voice rang out in the courtyard.
“Zhikong, what exactly is going on? I’m giving you one last chance!”
Turning to look, Deacon Zhikong’s legs nearly gave out from fright, for the speaker was none other than Hall Master Gong Zisheng!
“Hall Master Gong… I… I can’t… no, no, I mean I dare not say, because…”
The moment he saw Hall Master Gong Zisheng appear, Deacon Zhikong knew there was no way he could keep anything hidden any longer.
And so, he spilled everything that had happened before.
Upon hearing this, Elder Sushui was immediately ready to explode with anger.
“You absolute wretch! Even if your life was threatened, you shouldn’t have betrayed our Red Buddha Society. For a traitor like you, I ought to deal with you right here and now…”
Before Elder Sushui could make a move, Gong Zisheng beside him raised a single finger.
The storm of true qi that had begun gathering in the air quietly dissipated.
“Elder Sushui, don’t lose your temper. After all, Zhikong’s life was threatened, and making such a choice under those circumstances is understandable. I can sympathise.”
“The key point is this: since Zhikong has already handed over his fate, that stranger must surely have a strong sense of trust in him. We can use that trust to our advantage!”
Due to the silver needle’s hold over him, even as he confessed, Deacon Zhikong didn’t dare mention Xu Fei’s name, only recounting the general outline of events.
“What the Hall Master says makes sense. Let’s temporarily send this lad back, and we’ll wait here to catch our prey!”
“Exactly, that’s my plan too. Zhikong, go back at once and tell him there’s a chance to lure him over here. Understood?”
Faced with both his master and Hall Master Gong, how could Deacon Zhikong dare refuse? Naturally, he nodded vigorously, like a pestle pounding garlic.
Soon enough, Zhikong scurried off in a flash.
After he left, Gong Zisheng waved his hand, and hundreds of elite operatives immediately took up hidden positions around the area, standing by.
Meanwhile, Xu Fei appeared to be drinking alone at the table for quite some time, though in truth, he was merely using the act of drinking to mask his intentions.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder why Deacon Zhikong had been gone for so long without returning.
“Sorry… sorry, Lord Junshao, I’m late getting back.”
Deacon Zhikong returned to the table, panting from his jog. Seeing this, Xu Fei gave a slight smile and said,
“No matter. What happened over there that took you so long?”
“Well, it’s actually good news, Lord Junshao! My master, Elder Sushui, was just dining with the Hall Master. He saw a chance to recommend me as the next elder, which is why he summoned me over.”
