Chapter 482: Chapter 67: There Are Times When a Man Must Not Back Down

Zhao Jincheng looked at the fierce little girl in front of him, listening to her aggressive questioning, and couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness in his heart.

The future successor of Golden Jade City, the celebrated Eldest Young Master, has fallen to the point where he is treated like a toy and is supposed to be grateful for it?

Since the birthday banquet in Shen City, Zhao Jincheng’s life has been a series of dramatic ups and downs—in fact, only downs. It was only thanks to his mental fortitude, like the strong green bricks of city walls, that he managed to persevere without completely breaking down.

But even so, he was not far from being completely broken.

When Zhao Hongwu and others launched their coup, he was unsurprisingly placed under house arrest due to his sibling relationship with Zhao Chenlu. During that time, no matter the storm outside, Zhao Jincheng always believed that his sister would be able to break free in time and set things right.

However, Zhao Chenlu indeed got free in the end, but she did not set things right as people had hoped; instead, she made a shocking resignation announcement, abandoning Golden Jade City entirely.

Naturally, that included him, the Eldest Young Master of Golden Jade City.

This courtyard was used to detain him during Zhao Hongwu’s coup, but after Zhao Chenlu broke through, Zhao Hongwu’s supporters scattered like birds and beasts, and the cultivators guarding the courtyard also dispersed. However, Zhao Jincheng did not leave.

Because he had nowhere else to go.

Before the coup, as the Eldest Young Master, Zhao Jincheng always lived in the City Lord’s Mansion, adjacent to his sister. But now, he had no desire to go near the City Lord’s Mansion at all.

Even though his closest sister was there, this dear sister had completely forgotten about her brother after breaking free, leaving Zhao Jincheng still living in this courtyard where he had been detained, so...

"So, do you want to stand up like a man, or just wallow here like a sister-loving coward?"

Qian Yue had no time to sympathize with the delicate feelings of this aging virgin Zhao Jincheng and mercilessly pressured him: "Time waits for no one. If you step out now, it’s the perfect time when people like Zhao Hongwu and Zhao Hongxue are at their lowest, public confidence is lost, and no new competitors have appeared. After all, you were the successor trained by Zhao Chenlu, and the public still has an impression of you. If we wait a few days until Zhao Chenlu truly leaves Golden Jade City, there will surely be ambitious people who won’t let the city remain in silence. Those people will either already have a reputation in Golden Jade City or be proxy agents pushed forward by other forces, backed by vast resources. By then, you won’t have any advantage left!"

Hearing this, Zhao Jincheng nodded secretly, knowing Qian Yue’s analysis was correct.

This moment was indeed very opportune.

The elder generation of Golden Jade City had destroyed their own prestige with a series of disgraceful performances, completely obliterating their already precarious image among the citizens of Golden Jade.

Even from the deep courtyard, Zhao Jincheng could hear people in the streets and alleys continuously expressing their disappointment in the elders represented by Zhao Hongwu. Some radicals even wanted to launch extreme actions to oppose the elders’ rise to power, while the general public hoped for someone reliable to step forward and take control of the situation.

At this time, as a representative of the younger generation, Zhao Jincheng truly had the potential to be what the people hoped for.

Moreover, Zhao Chenlu was still in the city. If he, as her brother, suddenly stood up and claimed the position of City Lord, how many people would think this had nothing to do with Zhao Chenlu? People would only believe that Zhao Chenlu had truly appointed a successor herself. And given Zhao Chenlu’s temperament, she would definitely not clarify any misunderstandings.

Therefore, this was indeed a great opportunity to ascend to power in Golden Jade City in one step; the only problem was...

"Why should I ascend to power in one step?" Zhao Jincheng said, "This position is not easy to fill. Even my father and the others prefer to be completely disgraced rather than accept the position of City Lord because they know they can’t do it well. They would rather be disgraced now than be ruined in a few years. I am well aware of my own abilities; compared to my sister, not to mention..."

"So you’re also choosing to protect yourself?" Qian Yue interrupted, "That’s quite like Zhao Hongxue’s way of thinking, no wonder you’re of the same bloodline."

With that, Qian Yue turned and walked away.

However, after only a few steps, she predictably heard a voice defending from behind.

"It’s not like that." Zhao Jincheng said with a hint of helplessness, "I’m not worried about my own gains and losses; I’m worried that my incompetence might harm the interests of millions in Golden Jade City..."

Qian Yue said, "You’re the successor personally trained by Zhao Chenlu; why would you be so incompetent as to harm the interests of millions? If you’re not capable, then learn and practice until you are capable. Otherwise, are you expecting some valley hero to suddenly grant you skills overnight?"

Zhao Jincheng said, "What you say makes sense, but I truly don’t have the courage to take the fate of millions as a training exercise..."

At this point, Qian Yue was getting a bit annoyed too.

This man had a face as square as if carved with blades and axes, but his personality was like a dung ball—smelly and soft. He couldn’t clearly explain a problem after going back and forth, which was simply a waste of time.

Supporting such a person to power would be worse than if she disguised herself as Zhao Chenlu’s illegitimate daughter left behind by the Qian Family to ascend to the throne. Anyway, after the public trial, Zhao Chenlu’s private life had become a net full of holes, leaving room for creativity. Moreover, Qian Yue had a deep understanding of Golden Jade City and was confident enough to govern it well...

Thinking of this, Qian Yue lost interest in convincing Zhao Jincheng to take power.

Coward, do it if you want, if not, I’ll do it myself.

"Alright, since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t try to persuade you any further. Let’s part ways indefinitely."

With that said, Qian Yue turned and left. As she walked, her mind was already reconstructing a new plan of action.

If she personally ran for the position of City Lord Golden Jade, there were numerous details that needed swift attention. For instance, how to host a sensational feast across all of Xiangzhou to celebrate her inauguration as City Lord. Mr. Wang Jiu must be invited to the banquet, and Shen Qingming, who’s always lingering nearby, must be included on the city’s blacklist.

Moreover, it’s crucial to garner political support; Golden Jade is always an away game, but the home advantage must remain in Cyan Cloud City. In Cyan Cloud City, the Qian Family’s influence is limited—what’s crucial is securing the support of the Li Family, equal with the Zhao Family among the Seven Great Noble Families.

In other words, she must find a way to gain favor with Lu Xin. If she successfully becomes City Lord, she can then engage with Lu Xin on equal footing, perhaps organizing a few tea parties...

"Tea parties?"

Zhao Jincheng’s voice from behind startled Qian Yue; she did have a habit of muttering to herself when deep in thought, not expecting that blockhead with a square face to overhear.

But if he heard, he heard—what does it matter to him?

So Qian Yue continued forward without looking back...

"Please wait!" Zhao Jincheng called from behind, "I’m willing to step forward and compete for the position of City Lord."

Hearing this, Qian Yue had no choice but to turn around, displaying an extremely disdainful expression: "You?"

"Indeed, I’m lacking in ability and competence, but I have a sincere and fervent heart, willing to give everything for Golden Jade City. Abilities and skills will naturally improve with practice, which is a thousand times stronger than those self-preserving elders!"

"You’re willing to use the two hundred thousand people of Golden Jade City as practice?"

"At worst, I’ll shatter into pieces to fulfill my duty to the world!"

"...What exactly are you trying to do?"

Zhao Jincheng’s squarish face radiated integrity: "I just wish to contribute my strength to Golden Jade City!"

Qian Yue furrowed her brows: "I feel like I smell the scent of a mating season."

Zhao Jincheng said, "I love Golden Jade City; each time I think about contributing to it, I can’t help myself! I also promise I’ll work tirelessly like a beast in mating season to make up for my shortcomings! Please believe me and support me in becoming City Lord Golden Jade!"

Qian Yue scrutinized Zhao Jincheng for a long time: "Then you must agree to a few conditions of mine..."

——

That noon, a bombshell news broke out in Golden Jade City.

Zhao Chenlu’s brother, Zhao Jincheng, announced his candidacy for City Lord.

This news swept through the city like a storm, capturing the attention of everyone concerned with the City Lord’s position—those supporting Zhao Hongwu, Zhao Hongxue, and those who wished to see them hung at the city gates.

Running for City Lord? At this moment?

While Zhao Hongxue and Zhao Hongwu went to extremes to evade the position, injuring themselves and implicating their families, someone actually volunteered to seize this hot potato?

By now, after Zhao Hongwu and Zhao Hongxue’s spectacular performances, the people of Golden Jade were gradually understanding how difficult it was to hold this position and why those eager for it originally were now avoiding it like the plague.

Therefore, this person suddenly stepping up to bear everything was akin to a savior, radiating brilliance.

Of course, this brilliance wasn’t solely Zhao Jincheng’s doing. After his declaration, various echoing voices began to spread throughout Golden Jade City’s streets and alleys.

Some were storytellers in teahouses recounting the glorious past achievements of Golden Jade’s Eldest Young Master, others were magazine and newspaper editorials publishing articles analyzing the benefits of Zhao Jincheng becoming City Lord, and some boldly speculated that it was all orchestrated by Zhao Chenlu herself. The former elders’ ugly shows were only to undermine the traditional interest groups’ prestige, paving the way for her truly favored successor... Considering Zhao Chenlu’s usual style, if she wanted something, she’d do it straightforwardly, regardless of others’ opinions. If she’s willing to painstakingly set up such a situation this time, it’s truly commendable; hence everyone should value this chance and not be ungrateful.

It seemed as if in half a day, the entire Golden Jade City had reached a unified voice to support Zhao Jincheng as City Lord.

Upon learning all this, Zhao Chenlu merely smiled.

"Becoming more and more like Shang Girl."