Chapter 4113 — The Ultimate Backer
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Hou Guanqi betrayed nothing, answering without the slightest leak: "Deputy Hall Master Zheng, my master is like a divine dragon—one sees its head but never its tail. He is not easy to find. Still, I will do my best to send word, and once he receives it, he will naturally return."
Zheng Dongjue nodded, then glanced at Wei Zhao again and said, "So this must be Pharmacist Lin. Since you have healed Lord Tian's injuries, you are a great benefactor to our Elixir Hall. Whatever you may ask, we shall never decline!"
The words were rousing and generous enough, yet Wei Zhao could still clearly hear the perfunctory ring beneath them. He smiled faintly. "If the need arises in the future, I certainly will not stand on ceremony. But for now I am still only a wandering cultivator; following Senior Cai here is already a rare chance for study and tempering."
"Is that so? To cure even an incurable ailment like Lord Tian's—if word spread, it would shake heaven and earth. Pharmacist Lin is being far too modest," Zheng Dongjue said with narrowed eyes, feigning admiration.
"I would not dare. What I say is the plain truth—I sincerely wish to learn a thing or two from Senior Cai," Wei Zhao said, still in that same mild tone.
Hearing this, Zheng Dongjue looked Wei Zhao up and down once more, thinking to himself that the man seemed utterly ordinary and absurdly young; by the sound of him, he truly did not resemble any formidable pharmacist.
In Zheng Dongjue's estimation, this Wei Zhao had most likely just happened to have on hand a prescription specifically for treating injuries like Di Xingdao's—a blind cat stumbling onto a dead rat, so to speak, and thus healing him. Otherwise, if his medical skill were truly comparable to Zhang Lifeng's, he would long since be famous across the Five Great Islands. Why would he need to tag along learning from Cai Zhongxuan? Clearly he was no formidable figure.
Having reached this conclusion, Zheng Dongjue at once ceased to take Wei Zhao seriously, and could not even be bothered to pay further attention to this clod of a nobody who had crawled out of some nameless backwater. He said dismissively, "In that case, Little Cai, you entertain Pharmacist Lin for me and take him to get something to eat, as a token of our thanks. I have matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company. And the rest of you, stop crowding around here—have none of you work to do?"
With that, Zheng Dongjue, assuming the air of a great man, clasped his hands behind his back and departed with Zheng Tianshuo in tow, while the other Elixir Hall disciples dispersed as well.
Hah, the old bastard certainly knows how to put on airs! Wei Zhao and Di Xingdao exchanged a glance, their eyes all mockery and derision.
Having been on Cloud-Tier Island so long, Wei Zhao had seen no small number of big shots—whether Shangguan Tianxia of the Northern Island or Di Xingdao before him, their presence was inborn and commanded respect. Only this Deputy Hall Master Zheng was different: the little dignity he possessed was all an act, and everywhere he went he carried himself like a petty man drunk on his own success, exactly the manner of that Kang Jingming. It truly left one speechless.
"Since this exalted personage has already spoken, Lord Tian, young friend Wei Zhao, shall we do him the honor of going out for a meal?" Hou Guanqi joked with a grin.
"Very well. I have been wanting to get out and stretch my legs and breathe some fresh air. Let us find a place outside," Di Xingdao said with a nod and a smile.
"Then let us go to the Five Elements Merchant Guild. There will be fewer prying eyes and ears there, so we can speak freely," Cai Zhongxuan suggested.