Chapter 4036 — Of Use at Last
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"Oh? From what you're saying, if I simply stand aside, you'll let me walk away unscathed?" Hong Zhong said in surprise.
"Exactly. We're only after this brat, purely to avenge our third brother. We've no intention of making an enemy of the Hong Merchant Guild. Of course, there is one condition—it would be best if Steward Hong didn't come poking his nose in. After all, fists and feet have no eyes, and if you get hurt by accident, there'll be nothing we can do about it." This time it was Nan Tianxiong who spoke.
They were not afraid of Hong Zhong going back and telling others if they killed Wei Zhao here. With the upright and honorable pretext of avenging their third brother Nan Tianyong, this was a pure matter of jianghu grudges; even the higher-ups of the Santie Pavilion would not interfere, only turn a blind eye.
But if they were to kill Hong Zhong to silence him and keep the news secret, that would actually do Nan Tianxiong and the other two no good. Hong Zhong was, after all, an important figure in the Hong Merchant Guild. However quietly they might do it, the Hong Merchant Guild's capabilities meant they could still trace the faintest clues—and when that time came, the three of them would be in for a world of trouble.
"So that's how it is. It seems you gentlemen are quite sensible after all. You clearly had the chance to take advantage of me in my moment of weakness, yet you still exercise such restraint—commendable." Hong Zhong spoke unhurriedly, taking his time, then turned the conversation: "It's just a pity you're still too foolish."
"What did you say?" Nan Tianxiong's expression darkened at once, and Nan Tianguan and Yu Jiang likewise wore unfriendly looks.
"I said you're too foolish—you actually thought I would stand by and do nothing about Young Hero Lin. If that isn't foolish, what is?" Hong Zhong laughed mockingly. "The relationship between Young Hero Lin and me is far beyond anything you could imagine. We've known each other for a long time!"
Wei Zhao was slightly taken aback, somewhat unsure what Hong Zhong meant by that last remark. Known each other for a long time? Was he trying to prove something to Nan Tianxiong?
"You old bastard, you're courting death!" Nan Tianguan's expression turned savage in an instant, yet tinged with a strange, inexplicable glee.
Were it not for his wariness of the Hong Merchant Guild's influence, he would have loved nothing more than to hack Hong Zhong to pieces to vent his hatred. Originally he had no such chance, because Nan Tianxiong would never have allowed it—but now Hong Zhong was courting death himself, and no one could stop him even if they wanted to. Then no one could be blamed.
"Steward Hong, I'll say it to you one more time: I do not wish to make an enemy of the Hong Merchant Guild, nor do I intend to kill you. Do not mistake our forbearance for weakness. Surely you've heard that my patience has never been good. Killing a man or two out here on the vast sea is no more than a casual, offhand trifle." Nan Tianxiong's face was dark as water.
"It seems you really are courting death. Then I won't stop you either—rest easy and die, old thing!" Nan Tianxiong abruptly rose to his full height, radiating a terrifying aura, and even the fierce bird spirit beast beneath his feet trembled, barely able to hold its form.
Yet it was the weak flying spirit beast beneath Hong Zhong and Wei Zhao that showed not the slightest abnormality, as though Nan Tianxiong's aura could not affect it at all.
"Life-Seizing Overlord Fist!" Nan Tianxiong's figure was like some primeval demon god. A single, simple punch smashed down from above, yet it carried an incomparably domineering and piercing force, and even the sea surface dozens of zhang below was stirred into waves.
Behind him, Nan Tianguan and Yu Jiang looked at Hong Zhong and Wei Zhao as though they were already dead men.