Sure enough, Vice-President Tang was riled up. He hated the title. "Hmph! I have no time to talk nonsense with you. If you don’t tell me the time and place, then I’ll decide for you."

Of course, Elder Xucould not let him do that.

In the end, they decided to meet at the entrance of the North alley on East Main Streetat 7:30 in the evening.

The East Main Street was nowhere near the Music Association. People from all walks of life converge around that area.

But it was a relatively flat and clear location, with no crooks or dark alleys for people to hide in. The Green Cloud Pavilionwouldn’t be able to set up an ambush there.

They had more than an hour before the designated meeting time.

The elders ordered their apprentices to prepare a table full of dishes and encouraged everyone to have a good meal before heading out.

The table was soon laid out with specialty dishes of the capital, and they looked scrumptious.

​ Yao Tang had not had her fill during lunchtime, so this was her chance to satisfy her hunger.

"Junior Sister," Deng Haisaid with a shy smile. "If there’s anything else you’d like to eat, please tell. I’ll do my best to bring it to you."

He had been floating in a cloud since he found out that Yao Tanghad returned safely. He was even more overjoyed when he heard thatYao Tangwas staying for dinner.

His junior sister was beautiful and obedient. She was such a likable person.Elder Xu, who was sitting across from them, raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Go on, Tangtang, eat up. Don’t be shy. See if the food in Beijing suits your taste."

"Thank you," Yao Tangsaid lightly and began to fill her bowl.

Everyone engaged in cheerful conversation as they finished their meal. Before long, it was 7 o’clock.

By the time they arrived at East Main Street, the people from theGreen Cloud Pavilionwere already there.

The person in the lead was dressed in a loose, black, hooded robe. It was so large, in fact, that it covered most of his face and only revealed his chin.

He exuded a forbidding aura.

Around him, his men all had weapons in their hands, and they sported similar ferocious expressions. They looked like they might lunge at the Cabinet in the blink of an eye.

They all wore a brooch, which was pinned either to their sleeves or collars.

It was the emblem of a cloud.

They were obviously parading their identity as members of the Green Cloud Pavilion, as if they couldn’t get enough recognition.

Elder Xu chuckled softly as he stepped forward. "You’re quite early, Vice-President Tang," he greeted the leader. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Hmph!" the man snorted, his lips curling in disdain.

"You’re late. I can’t help but doubt the sincerity of your Cabinet."

His henchmen took that as their cue, and they brandished their weapons. One word, and they were ready to make their move.

Elder Xu laughed again and glanced at his watch. It read exactly 7:30. "Perhaps your watch is not accurate? It’s 7.30, on the dot. How are we late?"

"That’s right, it says the same on my watch!" Elder Liinterjected.

A murmur of agreement ensued from the Cabinet Elders’ side.

"Ha!" Vice-President Tangsneered with disdain.

"As expected, you people are just a bunch of scoundrels! Compared to our Green Cloud Pavilion, you are nothing but shameless and pretentious buffoons! We are much more superior to you."

"Oh, please. If you did not kidnap our Elder Chenusing your dirty tactics, do you really think we would bother to waste our time on you?"Elder Wang’s tone was sharp as he lookedVice-President Tangin the eyes.

He had long thought this Green Cloud Pavilionto be a pile of dog shit, an eyesore. They were just a group of petty thieves who took advantage of unsuspecting victims.

And yet, they had the audacity to present themselves as something that could stand against the Cabinet.

How laughable.

This Vice-President Tangdidn’t even dare to show his face.

"There is no need to be angry, Elder Wang. Just mind your own affairs and don’t dip into the issues of others. You need to be careful at your age. You might suffer a stroke and end up being bedridden. How pitiful would that be?"

Vice-President Tang smirked under his hood, his voice dripping with mockery.

Elder Wang pointed a trembling finger at him and was about to attack. Thankfully,Elder Xuwas able to calm him down and reminded him to focus on the bigger picture."

Still, Elder Wangdid not miss the opportunity to curse. "Do you really think you’re something, huh? A rat who only scurries in the dark gets trampled once it goes out into the street."

This time, it was the Cabinet disciples who laughed and taunted the other party.