Chapter 1906: Why can't it be me you chose?

Only saw Hei Lao's whole body, like an uncontrolled cannonball, fly backward toward the courtyard wall at astonishing speed.

Accompanied by a muffled impact sound, the courtyard wall instantly shook and was on the verge of collapse, then collapsed with a boom, raising a cloud of dust.

And Hei Lao, like a kite with its string cut, slammed hard onto the ground, in a sorry state.

A mouthful of bright red blood spurted from Hei Lao's mouth, splashing onto the ground and forming a shocking pool of blood.

However, Hei Lao had no time to worry about how serious his injuries were; his only thought was to quickly explain the situation to Huang Lao before him.

Despite suffering such a heavy blow, his thinking remained clear and sharp.

"Huang Lao, I really didn't know he was yours..."

Hei Lao endured the intense pain from his body, gasping heavily while struggling to speak.

Unfortunately, he hadn't finished speaking when Huang Lao coldly and mercilessly cut him off.

"Now you know?"

Huang Lao's voice was ice-cold and piercing, as if it could penetrate one's soul, making people involuntarily feel a chill.

At this moment, Huang Lao's demeanor was utterly different from the affable kindness he showed when interacting with Ye Zhangqing earlier; his whole body exuded a chilling, imposing aura.

Faced with Huang Lao's relentless questioning, Hei Lao clenched his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, large beads of sweat continually rolling down.

But he fully realized that he was in an absolutely disadvantageous position, and any further explanation would be futile.

Thus, after an inner struggle, Hei Lao finally lowered his once haughty head and spoke in a subdued tone.

"I, the junior, know my fault; please punish me, Huang Lao."

As the saying goes, one who knows the times is a true talent; since his skill is inferior, any words would be useless.

Just as just now, if Huang Lao hadn't appeared in time to stop them, even if Ye Zhangqing and Ma Qiankun were as stubborn as ever, they would ultimately have to meekly bow their heads and admit fault to him.

Who could have imagined that Hei Lao, who just a second ago was mighty and full of vigor, would in an instant end up in such a state?

However, just as Hei Lao's words fell, without warning, a low, deep howl filled with endless resentment and anger suddenly rang out.

Everyone turned toward the sound, only to see that Wu Zhong, who had always remained silent, actually spoke at this moment.

His voice was unusually hoarse and low, as if this question had been forced out from between his teeth, making listeners' hearts tremble.

Wu Zhong lowered his head, his fists clenched tightly together; from excessive force, his knuckles had turned white.

Under the astonished gazes of the others, he finally slowly raised his head.

One could see that his eyes were already completely bloodshot, like two flames of blazing jealousy, staring straight at Huang Lao.

In that gaze, besides being full of jealousy, there even flickered a hint of near madness.

"Wu..."

Seeing Wu Zhong in such a state, Hei Lao secretly thought it was bad and hurriedly opened his mouth to try to dissuade him.

Unfortunately, he hadn't finished speaking when Wu Zhong mercilessly cut him off.

At this moment, Wu Zhong seemed completely immersed in his own emotional world, paying no heed to whatever Hei Lao wanted to say.

Wu Zhong's eyes remained fixed on Huang Lao, his teeth clenched, questioning him as if he were mad.

"Why? Why isn't that person me?"

Each of his words sounded like a curse squeezed from deep in his throat, filled with deep unwillingness and resentment.

Obviously, Wu Zhong was now directing his harshest questioning at Huang Lao.

Turning back time to several years ago, Wu Zhong had just passed the Young City Lord examination; he was then in the prime of youth, full of vigor and high spirits.

At that time, he, like Ye Zhangqing now, faced an important decision—choosing a Protector of the Way to assist his future cultivation path.

Just like Ye Zhangqing today, Wu Zhong likewise needed to find among the many strong individuals the one most suited to himself.

Ambitious Wu Zhong's gaze naturally fell upon the renowned Huang Lao.

In his eyes, Huang Lao possessed unfathomable strength and high moral standing; if he could obtain such an expert's aid, his cultivation path would surely be smooth sailing.

Thus, to achieve this wish, Wu Zhong did not hesitate to lower his dignity and plead with the city lord to personally intervene, using his family's influence to visit Huang Lao again and again; each time he met him, Wu Zhong sincerely expressed his admiration for Huang Lao and his eager hope to receive his protection.

At that time, Wu Zhong was full of confidence, firmly believing that his talent and potential were second to none in the world.

Even when facing those few renowned top-tier Yāoniè from the Immortal Realm, he showed no fear.

In his heart, only an absolute master like Huang Lao was worthy of becoming his Protector of the Way.

However, reality often runs contrary to wishes.

Despite Wu Zhong's many efforts, what he ultimately received was Huang Lao's merciless refusal.

What made him even more embarrassed was that, due to his repeated bothersome visits, Huang Lao finally lost his patience, and in his fury he even had the Wu family's patriarch unceremoniously driven out of the gate.

Looking back, Huang Lao back then hadn't even glanced at him, yet now the situation has completely reversed: Huang Lao rejected him but chose this Ye Zhangqing, who in no way compares to him!

"Why would you rather choose him than me? In what way am I inferior to him?"

Wu Zhong clenched his teeth, his face full of unwillingness and stubbornness, angrily questioning Huang Lao.

Meanwhile, faced with Wu Zhong's relentless pressing questions, Huang Lao maintained a calm, water-like expression from start to finish, showing no flicker of emotion, making it impossible to discern any joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure from his face.

One saw him lightly part his lips and respond in a light, breezy manner.

"Are you questioning this old man?"

"That's right; why can't the one you chose be me?"

Wu Zhong still clenched his teeth, held his head high, and answered without retreat.

As he uttered those words, Huang Lao seemed unfazed, showing little reaction, but Hei Lao, who had been kneeling nearby, was instantly frightened out of his wits.

He was greatly startled and lost color.

"This brat is simply tired of living; he dares to speak to Huang Lao in such an attitude."

As expected, not a second later, Huang Lao's ice-cold, bone-piercing voice suddenly sounded, carrying a chilling that made one's flesh creep.

"Do you really think that relying solely on your so-called Young City Lord status and the title of Young Master of the Wu family can save your life? Let this old man not dare to kill you?"