Chapter 4023 — Do Not Come Looking for Me Again
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Hong Zhong smiled faintly. "If it were this old man choosing, I would certainly take the second option. So long as one has sufficient power and status, spirit jades can be had in whatever quantity one wishes. But this title of honorary vice president—though it is an empty title—represents position and privilege, and under ordinary circumstances no amount of spirit jades could buy it. Once you reach the Middle Island, Young Hero Lin, this title will make your affairs go far more smoothly."
"In that case, I shall put you to the trouble, Steward Hong." Wei Zhao decided on the spot. In any case, he would inevitably have to go to the Middle Island in the future; since Hong Zhong had said as much, there was no reason to hesitate.
"Young Hero Lin is indeed decisive. Fill in this appointment letter, and you are the honorary vice president of our Hong Clan Merchant Guild!" Smiling, Hong Zhong took out a letter of appointment and handed it to Wei Zhao—evidently he had long since corresponded with the main headquarters about this.
"Then from now on, we are colleagues! But since I am already an honorary vice president, does that make you, Steward Hong...?" Wei Zhao was briefly taken aback, then smiled. He guessed that had he chosen the spirit jades, Hong Zhong would never have brought out this letter of appointment; it was simply that Hong Zhong knew him well enough to be certain he would choose the post of vice president.
"This affair came so suddenly; someone behind the scenes has surely been colluding, but within the Hong Clan Merchant Guild there must also be those whose backsides are not squarely seated!" Hong Zhong smiled with a meaningful air. "Settling accounts after the autumn harvest—that is what this moment is for. Speaking of which, this old man has not moved from his position in quite a long while."
Hearing this, Wei Zhao smiled in sudden understanding. "Then I shall wait quietly for Steward Hong's promotion."
While Wei Zhao and Hong Zhong were talking, the Gathering Talents Hall was already in an uproar from top to bottom. The reason was none other than this: Zheng Tianjie was dispatching people in every direction, trying by every means to dig up the truth about Wei Zhao.
Watching the situation unfold toward the very scene she least wished to see, Tianchan knew she could no longer remain a mere bystander; otherwise the situation truly might spiral beyond all control.
At this thought, Tianchan immediately sought out a female cultivator of profound strength named Lianxin, whom she had taken as her master in the Pill Hall after being transported to Cloud Terrace Island.
"Chan'er, coming to see your master so late at night—is something the matter?" Lianxin regarded Tianchan with gentle eyes. She was exceedingly fond of this recently accepted disciple, and had always treated her as her own child.
Tianchan paid her respects with great reverence, then drew a pill from her bosom—the very one she had gone out of her way to bid for at the auction that day.
"Master, whatever its quality or luster, this pill ranks at the very top even among the finest. Your disciple is merely puzzled: the Hong Clan Merchant Guild has never been known for its pills, so how did they come by top-grade pills of such caliber—and more than a hundred of them at once?" Tianchan feigned confusion.
This question had long been troubling Lianxin and the others as well. "True enough. Even our Five Elements Pharmacy, long famed for its pills, brought out only ten top-grade pills this time, yet the Hong Clan Merchant Guild produced more than a hundred in one go. Truly inconceivable. If this continues, the Five Elements Pharmacy may well be squeezed out by them."
Tianchan promptly concurred. "Indeed. The Five Elements Pharmacy is an important source of income for our Pill Hall; we cannot simply let it come to harm. So your disciple believes we should find an opportunity to investigate this matter thoroughly."