Chapter 770: Buying Time

“You’re no different from those old fogeys who only want to make use of her to get ahead in the Association. I suppose we’re almost the same. You keep slandering the Green Cloud Pavilion by calling us dishonorable, but you are merely projecting your own hypocrisy.”

Elder Nie’s vicious words were like arrows that rained on President Tan.

He was accusing the latter of binding Yao Tang to his side and forbidding her from making her own choices, all for the sake of his self-interests.

Tan Jian bristled, unable to bear the allegations against his father.

He himself had no ambitions relating to the Music Association and only wanted what was best for Yao Tang. From what they had all seen so far, these men from the Green Cloud Pavilion employed sinister methods, and were bound to mistreat even one of their own.

If Yao Tang went with them, he was certain that she would only suffer in the future.

President Tan was so enraged that his chest was heaving.

“How dare you spout such nonsense?” he retorted.

“You’re the ones who use dirty tricks to get what you want! We wouldn’t even be in this situation if you hadn’t bribed Chauffeur Wang in the first place! I cannot entrust Yao Tang to the likes of you.”

Chauffeur Wang quivered at the mention of his name, but he remained crouched on the ground.

“That’s right!” Tan Jian chimed in. “Anyone with eyes can see that you lot cannot be trusted!”

Father and son exchanged a glance, and a tacit understanding passed between them.

They had already taken a lot of time disposing of the first batch of goons that Elder Nie had sent.

It had been a while since this verbal confrontation had started, too.

Once the Cabinet Elders noticed that President Tan and Yao Tang weren’t back yet, they would definitely assume that something had happened and send people to check.

And so, President Tan and Tan Jian thought it would be best to stall Elder Nie until reinforcements arrived.

President Tan sneered at Elder Nie. “If you’re as strong and powerful as you say you are, you wouldn’t have to rely on dirty tricks and act in the dark, you despicable rats!”

Tan Jian backed him up by spitting in Elder Nie’s direction and scowling at his men.

Their sudden arrogance was decidedly out of character.

They were at a clear disadvantage, yet it seemed as if they were deliberately provoking Elder Nie.

Needless to say, Elder Nie was livid.

He opened his mouth to berate them, but something clicked in his mind. He realized what they were trying to do.

His lips curled in disdain. What did these two think of him? He wouldn’t have become the Grand Elder of the Green Cloud Pavilion if he didn’t see through their plan.

“Ha! You’re doing this on purpose to buy some time, aren’t you? I’m telling you, it’s no use. No matter how long you try to drag this out, those bastards from the Cabinet will not bother with you.”

Both President Tan and Tan Jian gaped in surprise.

They thought that their scheme was foolproof, and that they were carrying it out perfectly.

Were they really that obvious?

Tan Jian scratched the back of his head sheepishly, his face twisted in disappointment.

Yao Tang looked over at them and sighed helplessly.

Yes, they were obvious! They were so obvious that everyone knew what they were doing after the first few seconds or so.

Elder Nie cackled derisively.

“Do you see now? Did you honestly think your elders would come to your rescue? They can barely take care of themselves!

“Well, even if they come, we are not scared of them. They are no match against the Green Cloud Pavilion.”

As if on cue, the men behind Elder Nie brandished various weapons and assumed a combative stance.

They were already huge and intimidating enough without their weapons. Now, they appeared even more menacing.

Their eyes were fixed on Yao Tang and her companions, and they were poised to attack at any second.

“Who said we were stalling?” Tan Jian shouted, unwilling to give up just yet.

“We’re doing nothing of the sort! We only wanted Yao Tang to see you for the monster that you truly are!”

In truth, he was just embarrassed to admit that their plan had fallen through so quickly.

Beside him, President Tan grabbed a stick that had been lying on the ground. “Come at me, then! I’m not afraid of you people!”

Yao Tang’s eyelid twitched. He reached up to rub her temples in frustration.

What was wrong with these two? Were they that eager to get into a violent fight?