Chapter 907

Lord Lu San's words were very impolite, but Kong Jianshi was unable to refute.

Indeed, that is exactly the case.

The Old Shopkeeper had long decided to ally with Chen Wuji, but opposition within the Ciji Lodge was strong; at first it was only covert resistance—obeying outwardly while betraying inwardly—you say what you want, I won't do it.

Now it is open opposition, even secretly aiding the enemy.

In the large-scale assassination operation Chen Wuji previously encountered, there were members of the Ciji Lodge; ultimately, the Old Shopkeeper personally handled it, and Kong Jianshi has still not dared to be frank with Chen Wuji up to now.

Because of the assassination, the Old Shopkeeper extensively dealt with a group of senior elders holding power within the Ciji Lodge; currently everyone's attitude is not bad, but there are still many problems.

Kong family kid, you must thank the Regional Inspector. As a subordinate force that has come over to ally, the Ciji Lodge being able to reach this point is thanks to the Regional Inspector; if it were anyone else, you would absolutely not reap any benefits, lacking any awareness.

Lord Lu San directly despised him.

You don't understand this matter; I can barely comprehend it for a moment. Could it be that Old Master Zhang also doesn't get it? Or is the Ciji Lodge still hoping to vie with the Regional Inspector for equal standing, each taking what they need?

If you were merely a master becoming a retainer under the Regional Inspector, your current state would be completely fine. But you are a force, and moreover an enormous Rivers and Lakes force; having come over to ally, you do not obey orders, you want to hear opinions, you want to deliberate—do you treat the Regional Inspector as your ally?

Kong Jianshi, as a grandmaster-level expert, broke into a sweat the moment Lord Lu San spoke those words.

He finally understood what Old Master Zhang had repeatedly urged him to mean.

Young Master, no, my lord, this matter is my fault; I am foolish and have never figured out what exactly is going on! Kong Jianshi hastily cupped his hands and spoke sincerely and candidly.

The Old Shopkeeper had previously instructed me, before my departure, to act as an intermediary, helping my lord select usable personnel—use what can be used, discard what cannot; the Ciji Lodge must be transformed and can no longer be a Rivers and Lakes force.

I have indeed been helping my lord select personnel, like Yuan Lao Liu and others. But my way of selecting personnel differs from what it should be; this is my problem, cannot blame the Old Shopkeeper.

Kong Jianshi is now truly somewhat flustered.

No one has ever clarified this matter for him, and he has never felt that what he did was problematic.

Lord Lu San's series of questions thrown out made him truly realize how great the distinction is and how severe the problem is.

At this moment Kong Jianshi finally understood why Chen Wuji deliberately told him that he is himself and the Ciji Lodge is the Ciji Lodge—this… clearly shows that patience has run out.

Lord Lu San shook his head, saying, "I'm better at fighting than this old thing; you can't even do things as well as this old thing—your words… we'll see if the Regional Inspector believes them."

Chen Wuji gave a faint smile, saying, "Lord San, no need to hint further; I trust Old Kong!"

Lord Lu San quietly gave Kong Jianshi a glance, then silently stepped aside.

It's truly a waste to have lived so long; this place is not the Rivers and Lakes.

At this moment Kong Jianshi felt he had used all his lifetime's wit; he carefully considered every detail, remained silent for several breaths, then solemnly said, "My lord, I am indeed not good at coordinating a force, but I think the Old Shopkeeper should have also told you similar things."

This foundation, the Old Shopkeeper has handed over; it's my inadequacy as the intermediary.

Chen Wuji faced with a faint smile, nodded.

Old Master Zhang has actually always been reserved, never having spoken his mind fully.

He probably still harbors some hope, wanting to preserve the Ciji Lodge to the greatest extent possible.

Old Master Zhang's meaning has actually always been clear; he just didn't lay it all out like Lord Lu San did at the start, but instead tossed this authority to Chen Wuji, wanting to gamble.

However, Chen Wuji, knowing full well, did not take the bait, but threw it back.

Unfortunately, this ball landed on Kong Jianshi's shoulders; Old Master Zhang perhaps still isn't aware, which is why we have today's situation.

Regarding Kong Jianshi's remarks, Chen Wuji is not just saying them for show; he truly believes them.

He has always been rather straightforward, with a bit of the old-fashioned do-gooder attitude.

"Old Kong, I trust you and understand your meaning; these words need not be repeated." Chen Wuji said, "Tell me your other thoughts."

Lord Lu San anxiously looked at Kong Jianshi, his expression like constipation.

He is genuinely anxious for him.

Even though the words have been spoken so plainly, how can he still not understand?

"Other thoughts…" Kong Jianshi thought for a moment.

"I will soon compile a list of usable personnel to hand over to my lord for arrangement; for those who should be discarded, I will also swiftly cut through the knots and promptly hand my lord a usable Ciji Lodge."

Lord Lu San vigorously wiped his face and let out a helpless sigh.

Damn it!

What kind of brain does this person have?

"Old Kong, hand over that bow so I can take a look; you and Lord San chat a bit." Chen Wuji also felt rather helpless.

If it weren't for his trust in Zhang Lao as his nominal master, and his strong approval of Kong Jianshi's actions, he would have long suspected the Ciji Lodge of having other intentions.

Even a company acquisition requires a series of management, business, personnel integration, and assumption of debts and credits.

This matter is far more stringent than a company acquisition, and the boundaries of power are even stricter.

Yet the Ciji Lodge has so far not handed over a personnel list or sphere of influence, nor has it actively conducted any transfer of power, operating on the principle that if Chen Wuji doesn't ask, they won't speak.

But Chen Wuji will not take the initiative to inquire about this.

What he previously told Zhang Lao and Kong Jianshi is already more than enough.

It is even somewhat excessive.

Even though Zhang Lao has helped greatly, he is still Chen Wuji's nominal master; but this precedent cannot be set. If it were, the rules he previously established would instantly turn into whimsical jokes.

He is the Regional Inspector Commander of Nan Jun with 200,000 troops, not someone who pulls people into factions and sets up mountain strongholds like a jianghu ruffian. It is impossible for him to accept an allied jianghu force and swallow it whole into his command, retaining the original framework and methods, while he merely puts a sheep's head on it.

His master-disciple bond with Zhang Lao can only let him wait a bit, waiting for the Ciji Lodge to give an answer.

But now it's about time.

Kong Jianshi, somewhat dazed, handed over the bow and arrow quiver together to Chen Wuji, then followed Lord Lu San out of the Zhongjun Camp, saying, "Lord San, did I just say something wrong again? The Regional Inspector's words sound a bit off."

Lord Lu San's expression was displeased: "You little turtle bastard, no, you should now be called old turtle bastard—you're at the age of no confusion, right? How can you still be so speechless, and even drag me into it!"

"I ask you, are you Ciji Lodge merely using the Regional Inspector? I want the truth; if you cannot say something that satisfies me, I will now strike you down!"