If he had been dealing with unfamiliar enemies, Ji Qinglin would have been more cautious.
But as for these elders in the association, he had more or less learned their cultivation methods over the past two years and had seen them fight far too many times. He knew them inside and out.
Besides, today's purpose was to establish authority. Going back and forth exchanging moves would have been meaningless.
So, facing Yu Ji Zi's seemingly unremarkable yet profound palm force, Ji Qinglin relied on the vast amount of data he had already absorbed and chose the simplest, most effective method: no more exchanging techniques. He would crush him directly with the sheer amount of data within his body—a palm to receive, an elbow in return, a fist to finish him. He gave Yu Ji Zi no chance to make a move at all.
Of course, Ji Qinglin had not actually intended to kill Yu Ji Zi with a single punch.
After all, this was precisely the time when they needed capable people. Besides, he had just heard that this man did not intend to rebel; he merely wanted to gather his own faction.
Ji Qinglin had planned to display overwhelming strength, then have Lei Qiuyun plead for mercy before he struck. That way, both favor and intimidation would be applied.
Yet perhaps no one present, Lei Qiuyun included, had expected that Ji Qinglin had not only been concealing his strength all along, but was actually this formidable. In their shock, they had forgotten what they were supposed to do.
They only knew that once Ji Qinglin's fist landed, Yu Ji Zi was as good as dead.
At a time like this, Yu Ye reacted quickly. She knew this was not how efficiently her Master killed people and saw that he had no intention of delivering a fatal blow. She promptly shouted:
"Master, don't!"
With Yu Ye's reminder, Lei Qiuyun finally came to her senses and shouted as well:
"Teacher! Show mercy!"
In her urgency, Lei Qiuyun did not address him as Elder before everyone else, instead calling him Teacher directly.
Only then did Ji Qinglin slowly release his left hand, allowing the terrified Yu Ji Zi to collapse onto the floor.
But just as he was about to lower his fist, the plaque overhead reading "Harmony Brings Wealth" fell because it could not withstand the vibrations.
Since he was establishing authority anyway, Ji Qinglin decided to make it thorough. His still-raised right fist slammed into the falling plaque.
Boom—
The two characters for "Harmony" exploded, followed by a surge of mighty force that instantly blasted a two-meter-wide crater into the reinforced meeting room wall, caving in the entire surface.
Yu Ji Zi hurriedly rolled aside, barely avoiding being caught in it.
As the plaque bearing only the words "Brings Wealth" fell to the ground, Ji Qinglin turned back toward the crowd. The smile that usually filled his face had vanished, leaving behind only cold severity.
"The Old President valued harmony brings wealth. If anyone seeks only wealth, I, Ji Qinglin, can teach him a thing or two about harmony."
As they watched Ji Qinglin slowly return to his seat, none of the elders present nor President Lei Qiuyun spoke for a time.
It was Feng San Niang of Perfect Entertainment City, well-versed in the ways of the pleasure quarters, who was the first to react. She rose and praised, "Elder Ji, what impressive skills!"
The others snapped out of it as well and echoed, "Who would have thought? Elder Ji hid himself far too deeply!" "I never expected our association to have such an expert!"
Discussing Ji Qinglin openly at this moment was clearly inappropriate, but everyone had already formed a rough judgment in their hearts.
They could not tell what school those few moves had come from, but any cultivation method was ultimately nothing more than speed, technique, and strength. Judging solely by the astonishing speed and terrifying power he had displayed, Ji Qinglin was at the very least a Grandmaster-level Qi Practitioner. As for his exact realm, he had to be at Core Formation Realm or above.
Of course, that was only based on the power and speed he had shown without revealing any specific techniques.
Cultivation of this level clearly could not be achieved in mere days. It could only mean that Elder Ji Qinglin had been biding his time and concealing his brilliance all along.
Combined with his background—appearing suddenly on Xin Dong Street, claiming he had not installed a Cultivation Suit, choosing only a ruined little shop, being exceptionally close to the president's family, and being called Teacher by Acting President Lei Qiuyun—everything about him matched the reclusive master who never concerned himself with gang affairs, retired to the back mountain to enjoy a pastoral life, and only displayed divine might when trouble arose.
At that thought, everyone even began to doubt Ji Qinglin's true age.
And a term that had been treated as a joke only two days ago gradually surfaced once more: Guardian of the Association.
Ji Congliang, who had helped his Master Yu Ji Zi back to his seat, spread his hands toward the elders he had spoken to earlier, wearing a helpless expression that said, I told you so!
Yu Ye, meanwhile, continued to cooperate with her Master, maintaining the aloof bearing of a peerless expert while pinching her fingers to keep herself from laughing proudly.
Lei Qiuyun finally understood what her Teacher had meant when he said, "Leave the matter of establishing authority to me."
No wonder her father had often told her to learn more from her Teacher. Had she been blind back then? How had she failed to discover her Teacher's true strength? But she could not appear too surprised at a time like this, or her Teacher's efforts would go to waste. So Lei Qiuyun lightly coughed and said:
"Teacher, you have worked hard. Ji Congliang, help Elder Yu Ji Zi go rest and recover first."
Yu Ji Zi, who had already been helped back into his seat and had gradually recovered after taking a few breaths, waved his hand.
"I'm fine. Continue. Let's continue the meeting."
He did not sound particularly dissatisfied. Likewise, the few elders who had previously harbored objections or thoughts of leaving now looked far more at ease.
After all, while they had received a warning blow, they had also swallowed a reassurance pill.
With such an expert hidden within the association, many of the problems they faced were no longer problems at all.
Seeing this, Lei Qiuyun continued, "Today's meeting was rather rushed. In a few days, I intend to convene a full meeting of all elders, at the very least to reassure everyone. Faced with this disaster, we ourselves must not fall into disorder first. What are your opinions, Elders?"
After hearing Lei Qiuyun, everyone unconsciously looked toward Ji Qinglin. Only when they saw that he had assumed the posture of a Double Flower Red Pole for the day and had no intention of speaking did they begin to offer their opinions.
Hong Sanshui of Hongyun Aquatic Products said, "No problem. As long as the association stands united from top to bottom, no demons or fiends can do anything to us. But I only hope Elder Ji will show some mercy then. There is no need to strike so ruthlessly against our own people."
"Yes, yes, just frightening them a little is enough."
Unexpectedly, Yu Ji Zi, who had just been beaten, slapped the table and retorted, "How can mere talk establish a foothold? Those people with bold ideas need to learn what an iron hand is! We must knock down a few examples among those thinking of leaving the association or attempting to seize power!"
Seeing Yu Ji Zi speak with such righteous indignation, no one knew whether he was speaking from personal experience or felt that if a few more elders were knocked down, he would not look so humiliated today.
Feng Si Niang of Perfect Entertainment City saw that no one had asked Ji Qinglin and took the initiative to request, "Elder Ji, several people from the Xi Chang Association have recently come to our place, and they are rather troublesome. Could we ask you to help deal with them? It seems our entertainment city has yet to invite Elder Ji over for a visit. We have indeed been discourteous. Once you come, I'll call over a few—"
"Elder Ji, Hongyun Aquatic Products also has some matters that need—"
Before they could finish, Lei Qiuyun lightly tapped the table.
"I have other arrangements for Teacher. If the businesses of any elders encounter problems, report them directly to me. I will send specialists to handle them and guarantee a satisfactory result for all of you."
"Yes, President."
"Then we'll end things here for today. Also, do not mention the details of this meeting to the other elders for now."
"Yes!"
All the elders nodded in unison. If we're not supposed to mention it, then we can't let only us look inexperienced after being so shocked. When the time comes, we'll have to properly enjoy the other elders' astonished expressions. Thinking of it that way, they were actually starting to look forward to it.
Before you continue