Chapter 4233 — The Hong Clan Trading Company's Assignment
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Wei Zhao and Huang Xiaotao exchanged a glance, and he at once cupped his hands to everyone present. "I am Ling Yi of North Island, and this is my fellow disciple, Junior Sister Huang. We greet our colleagues. We have only just arrived, and should we give offense in days to come, we beg you all to bear with us."
At these words every gaze in the hall settled upon the two of them, curious and appraising. Yet once they saw that both merely showed the cultivation of the early Golden Core stage, the crowd thought no more of it, and gave only the most indifferent of nods by way of acknowledgment.
Had Huang Xiaotao not worn a veil, she might have drawn a few admiring looks; but veiled as she was, no beauty could be seen, and at most one might judge the curve of her figure. Even should curiosity stir, none would trouble themselves over it.
Out here in the jianghu, what men cared for above all was strength. Seeing now that Wei Zhao and his companion were of only ordinary power—no great patron to cling to, nor any great threat to fear—there was no need to pay them much mind.
Seeing that the others looked but once and then went back about their business, so cold was their reception, Wei Zhao and Huang Xiaotao exchanged another glance and said nothing more.
"Heh heh, every escort here is a seasoned hand. Young Master Ling, pay no mind that they say little and spare you no pleasantries—when the day comes that you ride out together, every man among them will be a comrade who fights at your side in good faith and to the death!" Seeing this, Qi Wenmo strove to smooth things over, laughing as he spoke.
Wei Zhao and Huang Xiaotao nodded, though they made no commitment either way. The jianghu was treacherous, and it was only natural that men should guard against one another. Still, there was one thing in Qi Wenmo's words that was surely true: should trouble come when they rode out to guard the goods together, they would indeed be able to cover for one another. After all, it was their duty, and if the goods were lost, no one would come off well.
As the two were speaking, a sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside. All turned to look, and saw a somewhat portly, well-fleshed man of middle years come in from the outer courtyard, accompanied by the agency's guards.
At the sight, Qi Wenmo hastily left Wei Zhao and the others and strode forward to meet him, laughing warmly.
"Manager Wei! You are a rare and honored guest—many days have passed since last we met. I trust you have been well!" Qi Wenmo's hearty laughter had a way of drawing men close, of lowering their guard without their knowing it, so that thereafter, whether in business or in friendship, every word went twice as far.
Even with a total stranger, at a first meeting, it lent a man a certain warmth of familiarity. Otherwise, guarded as Wei Zhao was, he would never have agreed so readily to join the Qingtian Escort Agency.
Watching from behind, Wei Zhao nodded to himself. From this alone he could see that the young master of the Qingtian Escort Agency was a man not to be taken lightly.
Yet the name by which Qi Wenmo addressed the newcomer stirred something in Wei Zhao's heart. Manager Wei?
"Heh heh, well indeed. And the young master looks more spirited than ever, finer than in days past!" the newcomer replied with an easy laugh, all courtesy. Plainly these two had dealt with each other many times, and were old acquaintances.
"Haha, Manager Wei flatters me. That a grand steward of the Hong Clan Trading Company should come to my door in person—surely there is some grand piece of business in the offing?" After a couple of polite exchanges, Qi Wenmo came straight to the point.
Such was his usual manner of speaking: never abrupt, but rather making a man feel him honest and dependable, and trust him the more for it.