Chapter 1855: Switching Allegiances: Zhao Qinglin

Watching Huang Chong's injuries heal after taking the healing pill, Ye Zhangqing had him explain the details of what happened.

Upon hearing that, Huang Chong also truthfully recounted what had happened today.

Originally, Huang Chong hadn't intended to go look for Zhao Qinglin; he had merely gone out into the city to purchase some supplies.

As one of the prominent immortal cities of the Immortal Realm, Cooking King Immortal City was naturally prosperous.

Besides the many spirit chefs and Immortal Chefs, the city's various shops were fully stocked.

Even during the closed period when contact with the Immortal Realm was impossible, Cooking King Immortal City could still be self-sufficient.

While strolling through the city, Huang Chong came to a tavern to eat, and inadvertently saw Zhao Qinglin.

At that time, Zhao Qinglin was sitting together with a young man, behaving extremely obsequiously, as if fawning over that youth.

Coincidentally, Huang Chong also knew that young man, or rather, that youth was quite famous within Cooking King Immortal City.

He is a disciple of another Elder of Cooking King Immortal City, and his talent in the culinary Dao is not bad, ranking among the top of the younger generation.

At the same time, that youth hails from the great power of the Immortal Realm, the Netherworld Palace.

It is said that he is the offspring of an Elder of the Netherworld Palace.

"Netherworld Palace."

Upon hearing those three words, Ye Zhangqing fell into thought; isn't Luo Jiuyou currently in the Netherworld Palace?

He gestured for Huang Chong to continue.

According to Huang Chong's account, upon seeing Zhao Qinglin, he had no intention of doing anything, nor did he take the initiative to provoke him.

Although Ye Zhangqing had delegated the decision on how to deal with Zhao Qinglin to Huang Chong, Huang Chong also did not want to cause trouble for Ye Zhangqing.

But Huang Chong made no move; instead, upon seeing him, Zhao Qinglin whispered something to that youth.

The youth glanced lightly at Huang Chong, then rose and led Zhao Qinglin over.

When he arrived before Huang Chong, the youth said lightly:

"Go tell your master, Zhao Qinglin is mine from now on; don't court death."

Having said that, without waiting for Huang Chong's reply, the youth struck out and severed one of his arms.

Then he took Zhao Qinglin and left; afterward, Huang Chong returned with his arm severed.

After hearing Huang Chong's account, Ye Zhangqing's expression showed no change; he remained calm and unperturbed.

Looking at the somewhat wronged Huang Chong, who was gritting his teeth silently, Ye Zhangqing said lightly:

"This Zhao Qinglin is probably trying to save himself, so he has switched allegiances."

"You mean that fellow named Zhang Wuyue? He's likely the new backer Zhao Qinglin found."

Upon hearing that, Huang Chong nodded, hesitated a moment, and said:

"Brother Ye, actually we can ignore Zhao Qinglin; anyway, he wouldn't dare act too recklessly now, so we might as well treat him as nonexistent."

Huang Chong did not want Ye Zhangqing to continue dealing with Zhao Qinglin.

That Zhang Wuyue is no ordinary person; he is highly regarded in Cooking King Immortal City, and it's not worth it for a mere Zhao Qinglin.

As for his grievance, Huang Chong doesn't care; such things have happened to him since childhood, and he doesn't know how many times he's endured them.

But Ye Zhangqing shook his head and laughed.

"Originally I hadn't planned to pay him much mind, but Zhao Qinglin keeps seeking death over and over, so it's different now."

"If someone like this isn't killed, he'll keep hopping about; though he poses no threat, he's still annoying."

Zhao Qinglin is like a fly; the best method is to swat him dead.

Do you think finding a new backer can protect him?

That Zhang Wuyue has decent talent and is highly regarded in Cooking King Immortal City, but Ye Zhangqing doesn't care.

When it comes to talent, I am in no way inferior; then who will Cooking King Immortal City favor more?

Upon hearing Ye Zhangqing's words, Huang Chong still wanted to persuade him, but Ye Zhangqing gave him no chance, saying only that he would handle the matter himself.

Seeing this, Huang Chong opened his mouth but said nothing more.

"Let's eat something together and have a drink."

He greeted Huang Chong to sit and eat; originally he had not intended to personally deal with Zhao Qinglin, but now Ye Zhangqing changed his mind.

After the meal, Huang Chong voluntarily cleared the bowls and chopsticks, while Ye Zhangqing returned to his room to rest.

After a silent night, the next day Ye Zhangqing found time to visit Ma Qiankun.

He inquired about some matters concerning Zhang Wuyue, and also mentioned Zhao Qinglin's attachment to Zhang Wuyue.

Upon hearing this, Ma Qiankun said in a low voice:

"That Zhang Wuyue is the most valued disciple of Elder Lin; dealing with him would be somewhat troublesome."

"However, regarding Zhao Qinglin, if you find it hard to act, you can let me take care of it; I'll surely give you a satisfactory result."

"That's unnecessary; a petty Zhao Qinglin can be handled by the junior."

Ye Zhangqing said confidently; the Elder Lin that Ma Qiankun spoke of is, like him, also one of the Elders of Cooking King Immortal City.

However, judging from Ma Qiankun's expression when speaking, he doesn't get along well with that Elder Lin, his words full of contempt and mockery.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing wanting to act himself, Ma Qiankun did not insist, only saying:

"Just go ahead and do it; with an old-timer stepping forward, I'll help you bear the burden; youngster, I think you don't fear his Zhang Wuyue."

"Then it will be trouble for you, senior."

That's exactly what Ye Zhangqing wanted.

Afterward, Ma Qiankun also spoke of the pure-blood immortal phoenix, hoping that at the time of the contest Ye Zhangqing could represent him and take action.

In response, Ye Zhangqing naturally would not refuse; a culinary competition poses no pressure for him.

With Ye Zhangqing stepping forward, Ma Qiankun became full of confidence.

Afterwards, the two chatted a bit more, then Ye Zhangqing rose to take his leave.

When the match is about to begin, Ma Qiankun will send someone to notify Ye Zhangqing.

After leaving Ma Qiankun's place, Ye Zhangqing did not return to his lodgings; instead, after asking around, he headed straight for Zhao Qinglin's residence.

Since losing the previous match and being demoted by Ma Qiankun to a registered disciple, Zhao Qinglin naturally moved into the registered disciples' quarters.

More than ten people lived in a small courtyard; as for the former formal disciples' separate residence, that had already been vacated.

Having found Zhao Qinglin's courtyard, as Ye Zhangqing stepped inside, the several registered disciples sitting together in Yuàn zhōng saw him and all rose, bowing respectfully.

「Greetings, Ye Shī xiōng。」

As for Ye Zhangqing, several people naturally had an impression; after all, his previous match against Zhao Qinglin had indeed made him stand out.

They were all present at the time, witnessed the whole process, and knew that Ye Zhangqing was now highly regarded by Ma Qiankun.

Thus, in Ye Zhangqing's presence, they were exceedingly respectful.

Hearing this, Ye Zhangqing nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over Yuàn zhōng; not seeing Zhao Qinglin's figure, he casually asked.

「What about Zhao Qinglin? 」

As soon as he spoke, several registered disciples' eyes flickered with an odd hue; they had come looking for Zhao Qinglin.

Regarding the grudge between Ye Zhangqing and Zhao Qinglin, they all understood it implicitly; today Ye Zhangqing came in person, so what he intended to do was self-evident.