Chapter 4105 — The Heaven Elder's Physician
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Seeing Wei Zhao's curiosity, Cai Zhongxuan turned and explained, "This garden is a region reserved specifically for us few nominal disciples under our master's tutelage. Other ordinary Alchemy Hall disciples have no right to come and go here. Even a deputy hall master who wished to enter would first have to send word to us."
Wei Zhao nodded. The Zhongdao Alchemy Hall had been founded single-handedly by Zhang Lifeng, so it was hardly surprising that his nominal disciples enjoyed such privileges.
Just then, a heroic-looking man with a youthful face came toward them and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Cai, you have come. Is this the young friend Wei Zhao you spoke of?"
Wei Zhao turned to look at Cai Zhongxuan, who nodded with a smile. "Indeed. This is none other than young friend Wei Zhao. Young Hero Lin, this is Hou Guanqi—like me, a nominal disciple of our master. But do not be fooled by his youthful looks; he is our senior brother! In both talent and strength, he stands highest among us brothers, and he is the one our master values most!"
"This junior is Wei Zhao. I pay my respects to Senior Hou," Wei Zhao said hastily, making his salute.
The man looked so young that calling him "Elder Hou" felt odd, and he might not care for such a form of address anyway. Yet for now Wei Zhao could hardly call him senior brother outright, so "Senior" would have to do.
"Ha ha, young friend Wei Zhao, there is no need to be nervous. Hong Zhong and I are old acquaintances, and Junior Brother Cai has told me all about your affairs. I will do my utmost to help," Hou Guanqi said, his face wearing a warm smile as he patted Wei Zhao on the shoulder.
"Indeed. It was our senior brother who interceded to bring you here so smoothly this time. Otherwise, even this old man would not have casually brought a companion back—this is, after all, a vital ground of the Alchemy Hall. Apart from disciples of our own house, outsiders are normally never permitted to enter," Cai Zhongxuan explained.
"Thank you, Senior Hou," Wei Zhao said gratefully. Then, unable to contain the excitement in his heart, he asked eagerly, "Might I ask when this junior will be able to see Tianchan?"
Hou Guanqi and Cai Zhongxuan exchanged a smile. "Our young friend is truly a devoted soul. Rest assured, I promise you shall have your wish. But this matter must be kept discreet; we cannot go straight to Tianchan. We will have to take a roundabout approach."
"A roundabout approach?" Wei Zhao was briefly taken aback. He too knew that if he simply went to see Tianchan directly, it would easily draw the notice of the ill-intentioned—and given Tianchan's present sensitive status, that would do her no good at all.
"Indeed. I recently heard something that happens to serve our purpose," Hou Guanqi said with a nod. "Word has it that Tianchan has been visiting the Heaven Elder often of late—every few days she makes a trip. So if we put out word that we have engaged a physician to treat the Heaven Elder, no one will think much of it. But if the news reaches Tianchan, she will certainly go there."
"Exactly. Having Tianchan go of her own accord is better than us seeking her out. That way, Young Hero Lin, your meeting with her will be a chance encounter, and no one ill-intentioned will take notice," Cai Zhongxuan agreed.
"I leave everything to the arrangements of you two seniors. But forgive this junior's boldness in asking—who is this Heaven Elder?" Wei Zhao asked curiously. (To be continued) R752