Chapter 4344 — A Solemn Apology
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
This much was already out of regard for the fact that the two had toiled in the escort agency for so long—if not for merit, then at least for hard labor. Otherwise, had Qi Wenmo truly been a man who spared feelings, on the mere suspicion of collusion with Wei Zhaotong he would have been more than justified in beating them to death on the spot.
"After we robbed the convoy, we took a detour into the Zhenduan sea region and dumped those few of them in Zhenduan City. We had meant to follow the plan to the Yuanxing sea region and hand the cargo ship over to Wei Zhaotong's contact as quickly as possible, but on the way we ran straight into a tempest and had to turn back to Zhenduan City. Then the Morning Star Academy came out to select disciples and put the whole dock under martial law, so no one could get in or out, and we were trapped in Zhenduan City." The man in black spoke with a face full of gloomy helplessness.
Had it not been for all this wretched business holding them up, they would never have run into Wei Zhao again, and naturally would never have come to their present end. Once a man's luck turns sour, he can choke on a mouthful of cold water and have it lodge between his teeth.
"The Yuanxing sea region? Hmph, that place is even farther from here than the Zhenduan sea region. With you trading over there, not a whisper of it could reach this side. Wei Zhaotong really is careful enough," Qi Wenmo sneered.
Had the trade been conducted in the Weihu sea region, then no matter how careful and thorough they were, they could not have entirely escaped the eyes and ears of the Qingtian Escort Agency. It was plain that Wei Zhaotong had planned this long in advance and was well prepared.
"In the end, we were spotted at the Zhenduan dock by the senior, and then..." The man in black glanced timidly at Wei Zhao and spread his hands in speechless resignation.
"And then what?" Qi Wenmo could not help asking, and the rest of those present all wore looks of curiosity as well.
"Heh, and then they were killed by me one by one, leaving only this one, whom I brought back," Wei Zhao answered for him with a faint smile.
"Ah?" Qi Wenmo and the others exchanged looks of astonishment, then one and all began sizing Wei Zhao up anew. These had been four peak late-stage Golden Core experts, and he had killed them one by one, then taken the last of them alive besides—just how formidable was this man?
Even a master at the Great Perfection of the Golden Core might not have managed such a feat; it would take at least a Nascent Soul expert. Yet even Qi Wenmo himself could not bring himself to believe that Ling Yi was a Nascent Soul expert. He had recruited this promising talent on a whim, never imagining the man could be this ferocious—what a windfall this had turned out to be!
Had Wei Zhao said this alone, the others would simply have taken it for boasting, but with the man in black kneeling there before their eyes, they had no choice but to believe it, and the looks they turned on Wei Zhao were filled with awe.
"After I took the cargo ship back, I delivered it to the Fang family estate on Xianpeng Island. Here is the escort receipt signed by the estate master, Fang Biwu. Please verify it, Brother Qi." With that, Wei Zhao drew the receipt from his breast and handed it to Qi Wenmo before all present.
Qi Wenmo took it, glanced it over, and once he had confirmed it, suddenly burst into laughter. Seizing Wei Zhao by both shoulders with warm familiarity, he said, "I owe you an apology, Brother Ling. Because of the slander of these two scoundrels, I nearly mistook you, and I put you through some grievance just now. On behalf of the entire Qingtian Escort Agency, I offer you a solemn apology."
"You are too kind, Brother Qi. I won't take such a small matter to heart." Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback, and a measure of admiration crept into his gaze.