Chapter 4040 — Paying a Call

But things were better now. Not only at the Santie Pavilion, but everywhere else on North Island, the Enforcement Hall's wanted notices were plastered on every wall. To say nothing of ambushing Wei Zhao, Xu Lingchong did not even dare show his face. At least for the time being, Wei Zhao had no need to worry about his threats.

Yet he who takes no thought for the future will surely find trouble at hand, and before long Wei Zhao received bad news: Hong Zhong was about to leave North Island.

As the incoming vice-president of the Hong Clan Merchant Association's headquarters, Hong Zhong's departure had been a foregone conclusion the moment the appointment was issued. What truly gave Wei Zhao a headache was what Hong Zhong told him before leaving.

"Young Hero Lin, as you requested, I have instructed headquarters not to make your status as honorary vice-president public. Only the president and a few senior executives, such as the standing vice-presidents, know of it. Set your mind at ease," Hong Zhong said.

"Mm, thank you for the trouble, Elder Hong." Wei Zhao breathed a sigh of relief.

It was only natural to do so. As a newcomer to the Qingyun Pavilion, if he suddenly bore a status as flashy as that of honorary vice-president of the Hong Clan Merchant Association, it would be begging for hatred. There would surely be those who envied and resented him, and that would run counter to Wei Zhao's aim of quietly building up his strength.

Yet Hong Zhong's next words made his expression shift slightly. "I leave today for Middle Island to take up the post of vice-president. Barring any mishap, the new steward of the North Island branch will arrive within a couple of days. Young Hero Lin, you would do well to be on your guard against this man."

"How so?" Wei Zhao's gaze sharpened.

"This man is named Si Haitao. He was formerly one of the four regional inspectors of the Hong Shadow Group at Middle Island headquarters, charged specifically with supervising branch stewards. This time, seizing on the vacancy at the North Island branch, he spent no small effort to secure the stewardship." Hong Zhong paused, then said, "There is one thing you do not know, Young Hero Lin. Previously, Nantian Guan came knocking to coerce me into revealing the true identity behind your other name. At that time, what he used to threaten me was a personal letter written by Si Haitao himself."

"So this Si Haitao is on very close terms with Nantian Ba and his lot?" Wei Zhao could not help feeling a headache at this.

Given his friendship with Hong Zhong, it would be a simple matter to seek the Hong Clan Merchant Association's help in the future—for instance, in purchasing things like the Heart-Devouring Linglong Grass. Even if someone else took over, with a word from Hong Zhong, a vice-president with real authority, it would pose little problem.

But if this successor proved to be an adversary on close terms with Nantian Ba and his gang, then seeking such favors from the Hong Clan Merchant Association would be harder than reaching the heavens.

Even though Hong Zhong was his superior, a branch steward was a local lord with enormous autonomy. On a small matter like this, one that touched no principle, if the man set his mind against cooperating, even Hong Zhong would be powerless against him.

"Indeed. Moreover, this man comes from the Hong Shadow Group, and his skill at intelligence and surveillance far surpasses ordinary men. Once he fixes his eyes on you, it will be hard to keep any secret. So you must be on your guard, Young Hero Lin." Hong Zhong cautioned him again and again.

Wei Zhao nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your concern, Elder Hong. On your journey to Middle Island you will no doubt face many challenges as well. I wish you smooth sailing and steady promotion!"

Hong Zhong laughed. "Then I shall borrow Young Hero Lin's auspicious words. I will go on ahead to Middle Island and scout the ground; barring mishap, we shall meet again there before long!"

"Until we meet on Middle Island!" Wei Zhao smiled faintly.

Hong Zhong assumed that the new branch steward, Si Haitao, would not arrive for at least a few days. Little did he know that even as he took his leave of Wei Zhao, Si Haitao had already set foot on North Island—he had merely kept out of sight, conducting his investigations in secret all along.

Troops and horses may not move, but intelligence goes first. As a former regional inspector of the Hong Shadow Group in the Hong Clan Merchant Association, Si Haitao would not abandon this instinctive habit built up over many years, even now that he had become steward of the North Island branch.

As for Nantian Ba and his companions, they were local snakes native to North Island and had all manner of ties with him. Their relationship was reliable, so they were naturally Si Haitao's first choice for getting a clear picture of the situation.

"Inspector Si—oh no, I should say Steward Si now. I never imagined you would be transferred to North Island. This news has delighted us beyond measure; at last we have found a patron. In the days to come, we shall have to beg Steward Si's kind regard!" Nantian Guan spoke with a fawning smile.

Nantian Ba was too proud and disdained flattery, while Yu Jiang was not of sufficient standing. Thus, among the several of them, it was Nantian Guan who had the closest ties with Si Haitao.

"Say no more, say no more. We are all our own people. So long as you serve me well in the days to come, I will not treat any of you shabbily, hahaha! But this steward has only just arrived and knows North Island mostly from written reports. As to what the actual situation is, I will need you to give me a detailed account." Si Haitao's face was full of amiable approachability.

"Of course, of course." Nantian Guan, only too glad of the chance to show off, nodded repeatedly.

For all that they had earlier put on an air of scarcely regarding Hong Zhong, the post of steward of the Hong Clan Merchant Association's North Island branch carried enormous weight for anyone. Otherwise Hong Zhong could never so easily have become a guest of honor to a top figure of the Santie Pavilion like Shangguan Tianxia. Win his favor, and the benefits went without saying.

Especially after their recent clashes with Hong Zhong had shown them the depths of the Hong Clan Merchant Association's strength, they were all the more respectful.

The three of them, Nantian Guan included, at once poured out everything like beans from a bamboo tube, each chiming in, recounting to Si Haitao the situation of every faction on North Island. Even some of the Santie Pavilion's little-known secrets were disclosed without the slightest concealment.

At the end, Nantian Guan did not forget to bring up the matter of Wei Zhao. Though they were now certain that Wei Zhao was not the Lin Er they sought, the affair of the Far North Island had already made enemies of them with Wei Zhao and Hong Zhong.

Strike first to gain the upper hand. Now that they had attached themselves to a patron like Si Haitao, it would be a terrible waste not to make good use of him.

After hearing them out, Si Haitao pondered for a moment and said, "As for this matter you speak of—picking a quarrel with that Wei Zhao—I think it best we put it off for now. Hong Zhong is at the height of his influence. Once he goes to Middle Island and is long parted from Wei Zhao, their relationship will naturally cool, and it will not be too late to move against Wei Zhao then."

At these words, Nantian Ba and the others exchanged glances. That was not right—the evasiveness in his words was far too obvious.