The Tiger Clan Meet might have been primarily for the Royal Zodiac Tiger Clan, but several scouts from the other Royal Zodiac Clans had watched them in case a new power would emerge in the fight between Minor Clans. It was business as usual for most of the scouts, and so was the Tiger Clan who had done the same for the other clan meets.
Admittedly, this time around, they all had been keeping an eye on Jin.
None of them had expected such a particular show of power from him nor his bodyguards which they were unable to find any information about. All of this had frightened most if not all of the scouts that had been watching. (Especially since they saw the bodyguards have the time of their life sending the cultivators of the Minor Clans to the netherworld.) To make things worse, those guards knew that they were being watched. Sometimes, minions like Nubwort and Drex would purposely put up a show for them to watch.
“If I had known this would happen, I would have just called him to come to our lunch meet instead.” Kong Rong mused out loud when he saw Yuan Ba’s dejected spirits who sat down on the other side of the office table.
“Well, it’s too late for that now. Speak, what do you want?” Yuan Ba did not bother with formality as the paperwork he had to do was of utmost importance. If he didn’t clear it fast enough, the Godly Representative would punish him for not abiding by the current situation.
“Fine, I shall be frank then. He might have been an honorary member of your Tiger Clan, but I doubt he wants to retain the title. From this moment onwards, Jin is under my protection. You should know what happens now that he finally revealed himself to be the head of the rumoured 13th Royal Zodiac Clan.” Kong Rong clarified and pulled out a few documents, but Yuan Ba stopped him.
“I’m perfectly aware that all Royal Zodiac Clans who are on the brink of failing fall under the Dragon Clan’s protection until they manage to stand on their own feet again.” Yuan Ba interjected. “But the Royal Zodiac Clan Protection Act should only apply to the existing twelve Royal Zodiac Clans. For you to extend it to Jin… Does that mean the Dragons are willing to accept this rumoured clan’s existence?”
“Is there any doubt left after the Godly Representative has shown himself and acknowledged Jin and his clan’s existence?” Kong Rong questioned back, and Yuan Ba laid back on his chair stifling a scoff out.
“Since when? How long have you State Agents known about his status before today’s revelation?” Yuan Ba tried to learn at least if he was the only one who had been kept in the dark.
“I’m afraid that information is confidential.” Kong Rong left the papers he had pulled out. “I will not keep you from doing your paperwork. Please make sure to fax me these papers at a more convenient time within the coming week. Well wishes to you for the new year. Just remember, we are watching.” Kong Rong took his suitcase and walked out of the room.
The courtesy call and show of power by Kong Rong was clear enough. At least for the foreseeable future, the Tiger Lord would not meddle with the dungeon supplier’s life or trouble him in any way.
Even after the resurrection of his sons, it was his responsibility to stop them from facing him head-on, use their privileges as the Tigers to make his life more difficult or seek nefarious ways to take their revenge against Jin. After all, the State Agents and the Dragon Clan (or Kong Rong specifically) had invoked the Protection Act on Jin’s clan. (Unless they decided to wait until the protection act was over…then that is another issue for another day.)
With the declaration by the Godly Representative, there was no room for doubt. The other clans would have to give up their chances of grabbing Jin for their own. Right now, they were forced to watch him grow as either an ally or an enemy that could power grab their territories since the Panda Clan was not included in any treaty or mutual agreement.
That was why Kong Rong had decided to use his clan’s might to save Jin from too much trouble with the Protection Act. While Jin had known there would be consequences of revealing himself, he did not know the extent of Kong Rong’s power. A trustworthy ally gained over the night of alcohol?
It was possibly the best thing that could happen over the new year!
Kong Rong was technically not wrong to invoke the Protection Act as the Dragon Clan had vowed to keep the Royal Zodiac Clans intact without any one of them losing their privileges or powers. Their job was to maintain the balance between the clans and to act as an internal auditor. If one clan decided to use its wealth and power for the worst, the Dragon Clan would step in and stop them. (After all, they acted as the State Agents of the country and swore to lead it the betterment of their nation.)
One might worry that the Dragon might have too much power in their hands, but most did know that the Jade Emperor had placed measures to ensure that would not happen. It fell to the Heavens to stop the Dragon Clan if they misbehaved badly.
Yes, it was none other than the Godly Representatives.
While they did rampage in Derek’s world, turning it into a place void of life and full of zombies, most of them had actual responsibilities to keep the worlds under their care in balance. (At least as much of a balance as the contracts they were bound by required.)
It could also be known that those contracts were similar to a Devil’s contract, but their bad stereotypical reputation had made the Demons, be known as evil even though their bargain was the same as the Gods. (Which was not the case with Moloch and Baal once he calmed down.)
It was how one would perceive the Demons and Gods, and in Jin’s eyes, he believed there were good and bad ones mixed in their races.
In hindsight, it appeared as if this Godly Representative has deliberately made things easier for Jin. The revelation of the feathered fan with the pictures of a Panda had quickly become the topic between the scouts and the higher echelon of all of the Royal Zodiac Clans.
This, in turn, helped make Kong Rong’s work easier who had started to visit the various Clan Heads to inform them that Jin was now under his protection.
“No wonder, the System told me I’d have more work to do due to that stunt it pulled with Jin. To make me work on the first day of Chinese New Year. That boy… seriously, I am starting to think I am making the right decision.” Kong Rong thought to himself while grinning. At least the System was courteous enough to teleport him around.
The moment he got out of the Monkey’s territory, he was immediately teleported to the next Royal Zodiac Clan’s mansion. “But I must say, that revelation was fun. It certainly seems like it was the right choice partnering with him rather than to be against him. After all, to him, this world is a dungeon instance in which he has the ability to mould it for the better….”
His expression turned serious once more when he was greeted by the Clan Head of the Royal Zodiac Rats.
