Zombie Bodyguard-Chapter 1630 - 1627: Senior Brother Zhang

The young man before them was none other than Zhang Lingyu’s senior brother, obsessed with saving face and eager to show off, yet his mana was inferior to Zhang Lingyu’s. Lin Tian recognized him, but the latter did not recognize Lin Tian. Nevertheless, the fated rivalry sparked tension as they exchanged glances.

Ning Luoxi clearly sensed the rocky start to this meeting and interjected, "This is Lin Tian, and this is Zhang Zhicheng." She introduced them to each other.

"Are you Lin Tian?"

"Do you also have the surname Zhang?"

They both spoke nearly simultaneously, with Zhang Zhicheng expressing more hostility and Lin Tian more curiosity.

Lin Tian, unperturbed, voiced his inner questioning: "You carry the surname Zhang, and Lingyu is also a Zhang, but you seem to be pursuing Lingyu. Isn’t this relationship a bit convoluted?"

Zhang Zhicheng’s brows furrowed as he replied impatiently, "First, such an intimate address as ’Lingyu’ is not for you to use; you should respectfully call her ’Ritual Master’ or ’Master.’ Second, I’m a distant relative of the Zhang Family, having changed my surname upon climbing the mountain to study. Lingyu and I are not within three generations related, so why can’t I pursue her? And you, an outsider, what business do you have meddling?"

He then turned to Ning Luoxi, "Instructor Ning, I don’t like this person; make him leave."

"Literally hanging around Lingyu every day, overestimating yourself. I don’t like you either," Lin Tian retorted disdainfully.

Ning Luoxi and Thunder Wolf were flabbergasted; the meeting had barely begun, and they already started arguing. How would they proceed with the work ahead?

"Get inside now; that’s an order," Ning Luoxi eyed the two of them, resorting to firmness.

Lin Tian didn’t care about orders but respected Ning Luoxi, so he wouldn’t leave no matter what, and with a casual smile, he walked towards the room.

Zhang Zhicheng let out a cold smirk, suddenly pointed at Lin Tian with two fingers, and chanted, "... Immobilization spell, firm!"

Lin Tian felt a peculiar force enveloping him, pressing down tightly; his feet felt as if filled with lead, unbearably heavy to move.

"Trying to make me look bad? No way!" Lin Tian inwardly mocked, and with a surge of power, a soft pop sound broke the pressure and restraint on his body.

Even Zhang Lingyu’s immobilization spell couldn’t hinder him; Lin Tian naturally dispelled Zhang Zhicheng’s spell easily, advancing and bumping into Zhang Zhicheng’s shoulder.

If expressed in game terms, Zhang Zhicheng was a Mage while Lin Tian was a warrior; in close combat, the warrior’s strength always prevails. Lin Tian’s blow sent Zhang Zhicheng sideways, crashing into the doorframe with a crisp sound, evidently quite severe.

"Courting death!" Zhang Zhicheng regained his balance and flew into a rage, eyes almost spewing fire. With a wave, a yellow talisman appeared in his hand, ready to throw at Lin Tian.

Thunder Wolf swiftly moved his foot to intercept, gripping Zhang Zhicheng’s wrist firmly, "Brother Zhang, don’t be impulsive; you can talk all you want, but resorting to magic is a different matter."

Lin Tian found it amusing; Thunder Wolf was obviously taking sides, indicating the Thunder Wolf Captain wasn’t fond of Zhang Zhicheng either.

"Zhang Zhicheng, if you can’t control your behavior, I will request a replacement. I reckon the Zhang Family has plenty of young members eager for experience off the mountain," Ning Luoxi stated seriously, a stern warning even less forgiving than Thunder Wolf.

Zhang Zhicheng’s face cycled through various expressions before softening, stowing the talisman, yet his demeanor towards Lin Tian remained hostile.

The setting was a suite, the four settled on the living room sofa, but Lin Tian and Zhang Zhicheng sat the farthest apart—not by Lin Tian’s design, but because Ning Luoxi and Thunder Wolf intentionally separated them.

Glancing at the still-fuming Zhang Zhicheng, Lin Tian questioned Ning Luoxi, "Why isn’t it Zhang Lingyu?"

This remark intensified the tension in the room once again; Zhang Zhicheng glared at Lin Tian, his face unpleasant, "All because of you, causing Junior Sister to face punishment and reflect on her mistakes on the mountain."

"How is it my fault?" Lin Tian retorted displeased.

"Junior Sister always kept in contact with you; she disappeared for a time. Are you claiming it has nothing to do with you?" Zhang Zhicheng said angrily.

Lin Tian finally pieced it together; Zhang Zhicheng was merely speculating but happened to guess right. Initially, Zhang Lingyu had been unwilling to act against him, resulting in a spell backlash and injury, leading to her capture by Charlotte.

During the period when Charlotte held her captive, Zhang Lingyu was trapped in England, accounting for the Zhang Family’s inability to locate her. However, Zhang Lingyu evidently hadn’t relayed all details to her family; otherwise, the Zhang Family would have already been hunting Lin Tian, making this cooperation discussion impossible. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Alright, however you want to spin it is up to you," Lin Tian feigned indifference.

"Okay, today’s meeting isn’t for bickering; it’s to capture the Secret Master," Ning Luoxi interrupted the discord between the two.

Seeing both reluctantly quiet, Ning Luoxi continued, "My plan is to have Xiao Manxuan play the guqin to lure the Secret Master out. We’ll lay traps nearby, capturing him once he falls into them."

She then glanced at Zhang Zhicheng, who abandoned his earlier anger, adopting a proud demeanor. He cast a sidelong glance at Lin Tian before boasting, "I’ll arrange a Formation around; once he steps into it, he becomes a trapped hawk with no hope of escape."

"Secret Master likely knows secret techniques; what if he breaks the Formation?" Lin Tian worriedly asked.

"Hmph!" Zhang Zhicheng snorted with confidence, "I use talismans drawn by Master; how could a mere Secret Master break them?"

Lin Tian initially planned to question the mana level of Zhang Zhicheng’s master, capable of trapping the Secret Master. Observing Ning Luoxi’s confidence in those talismans, however, he held his tongue.

"Now the only challenge is enticing the Secret Master into the trap without him realizing it’s a setup," Ning Luoxi glanced at Lin Tian, seemingly on the verge of saying something.

Lin Tian swept his gaze over Ning Luoxi and Thunder Wolf, grinning, "Spit it out; seeing you so troubled, are you suggesting I should flaunt my charms?"

"Hehe, showing off your charms isn’t necessary, but close enough," Thunder Wolf chuckled.

"I’ll explain; once your military training ends, you should have a few days of leave, using it to pose as a couple with Xuanxuan for a countryside trip, bringing the guqin. We choose the itinerary. At a scenic spot, inspired by the setting, you’ll play the guqin. The allure of the guqin’s sound should draw the Secret Master out. You hide and capture him once he appears," Ning Luoxi elaborated, the mention of acting as a couple slightly discomposing her.

"Pretend to be a couple? You really lack originality," Lin Tian was utterly speechless.

"I considered other methods, but this one involves the fewest people, avoiding harm to innocents," Ning Luoxi justified.

"If you’re afraid, just say so; don’t make excuses. If you aren’t willing to help, speak clearly and stop wasting everyone’s time," Zhang Zhicheng suddenly interjected, his tone decidedly unfriendly.