Chapter 4099 — Why Aren't You Scramming?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Elder Cai flatters me. I have long been in Elder Hong's debt for his many kindnesses—I am ashamed to say." Wei Zhao was secretly delighted. From the way this man spoke, his friendship with Hong Zhong was clearly no mere nodding acquaintance.
"Young hero Lin, you are too modest. That fellow Hong Zhong is a merchant to the bone—if he was willing to look after you, it means you have the means to look after him in turn. It all cuts both ways." Cai Zhongxuan knew Hong Zhong's character well, and his appraisal struck straight to the bone. He chuckled and said, "By the way, how did you and Hong Zhong come to know each other? The fellow has been on the North Island all this while—he only came back a few days ago, and then off he went back to the North Island again, leaving me no chance even to find him for a game of chess..."
"To speak frankly, I am a disciple of the Sandie Pavilion on the North Island, and I first met Elder Hong there as well. Recently I came out on a trial mission, but something went awry along the way, and by a strange twist of fate I ended up drifting to the Middle Island. It was Elder Hong who instructed me before that I might come to the Five Elements Merchant Guild and seek your help, Elder Cai." Wei Zhao explained.
"So that is how it is. Well and good, well and good. That fellow Hong Zhong has never stood on ceremony with me. And this young lady beside you is...?" Cai Zhongxuan asked, turning to her.
Xueli exchanged a glance with Wei Zhao, then answered without concealment, "This humble girl is Xueli. I pay my respects to Elder Cai."
"Xueli? Why does that name sound somewhat familiar?" Cai Zhongxuan was briefly taken aback. Then he looked her up and down carefully, and at last it came to him. "If I am not mistaken, the person the Snow Sword Sect has been hunting all over the streets just now must be..."
"Indeed. It is the two of us." Matters had come to this point; further concealment or denial would plainly be useless. The only course was to admit it outright. The one thing Wei Zhao now needed to concern himself with was whether this Cai Zhongxuan's character could truly be relied upon.
At this, Cai Zhongxuan merely gave an understanding nod, his expression showing nothing out of the ordinary. He said to the two of them, "Have no fear. Since you are friends of that old fellow Hong Zhong, you are friends of Cai Zhongxuan. The Snow Sword Sect may wield no small power, but my Five Elements Merchant Guild has never taken them seriously—and moreover, I am a registered disciple under the great Master Zhang Lifeng. Even if you lent them ten times their courage, they would not dare come in here to search. Rest easy and stay."
"Then we thank you, Elder Cai." Wei Zhao was momentarily stunned, then hastily led Xueli in voicing their thanks again and again. He had not expected this man to be so loyal, taking the whole matter onto his shoulders without a second thought. And from the look in his eyes, it did not seem feigned.
What surprised Wei Zhao even more, however, was that he was a registered disciple of Zhang Lifeng? Did that make him a senior or a junior fellow disciple of his own?
"Ha ha, young hero Lin, you are too polite. This little matter is no more than lifting a finger—hardly worth mentioning. Come, I will have a room prepared for you. You both look rather worn; rest well first, and we will talk later." Cai Zhongxuan promptly had the finest guest room in the establishment prepared for the two of them. Escorting them to the room, he said, "I still have a few matters to see to. You two rest for now; we shall dine together this evening."
Watching Cai Zhongxuan depart, Wei Zhao and Xueli finally turned and entered the room. Though a thread of worry still lingered in their hearts, for the moment it seemed this friend introduced by Hong Zhong could indeed be trusted—though of course, it was not yet time to let down their guard entirely.