Chapter 4380 — Preparing to Attend
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
Flanking the burly man were the young master, Qi Wenmo, and the steward Song from a moment ago. No need to guess—this man could only be the master of Qingtian Escort Agency, Qi Wenmo's father, Chief Escort Qi Mingyuan!
"Hahahaha, Young Hero Ling Yi! I have long heard your great name. A pity business has kept me tied down all this while; otherwise I would have flown back long ago to thank you in person, my great benefactor. On behalf of everyone in the agency, I, Qi Mingyuan, thank you, Young Hero Ling, for your great kindness and virtue—a debt we shall never dare forget for all eternity!" Qi Mingyuan cupped his hands in salute as he strode forward with a hearty laugh.
At the sight, Wei Zhao could not help but secretly admire him. The man might look like a crude and reckless brute, but there was a natural, openhearted gallantry in his bearing and movement; he could close the distance with a total stranger in the space of a few moments. That Qingtian Escort Agency had flourished under his hand and risen to rank among the five great agencies of Nanzhou was clearly no accident—there was good reason for it.
"I greet you, Chief Escort Qi. You are too kind with your words. I, too, have long admired you, Chief Escort, and today at last I have gotten my wish," Wei Zhao responded with a smile at once, and turning to Qi Wenmo beside him, he greeted him as well: "Brother Qi, it has been some days. I trust you have been well?"
"Well enough. My father returned today, and so I took the liberty of inviting Brother Ling over for a gathering. I hope it has not delayed any proper business of yours," Qi Wenmo said in apology.
"I am but an idler. What business could I have? Besides, with Chief Escort Qi returning, I, as a nominal escort of the agency, would have come to join the merrymaking even if you had not invited me, Brother Qi," Wei Zhao said with a smile and a shake of his head.
"Haha, Young Hero Ling is a straightforward man—just to my taste. If you were not already on terms of equals with Wenhan, I would want to swear brotherhood with you!" Qi Mingyuan joked from the side, and everyone in the hall burst out laughing along with him, the scene all joy and harmony.
Hearing this, Wei Zhao was caught between laughter and tears. This father of Qi Wenmo was a rare and delightful character—seemingly rough and bold, yet never jarring. There was not the least constraint in dealing with him; on the contrary, it was relaxed and pleasant, a quality seldom found.
"By the way, I have invited Young Hero Ling here today especially because there is an important matter I wish to announce to everyone in the agency," Qi Mingyuan suddenly called out in a clear voice to the crowd. All those present fell silent at once, waiting for what he would say next. Only then did he continue: "In my capacity as Chief Escort of Qingtian Escort Agency, I announce that from this day forth, Young Hero Ling is the eternal Honorary Chief Escort of our Qingtian Escort Agency!"
At these words, an uproar swept the hall. Throughout the whole of Qingtian Escort Agency, apart from Qi Mingyuan himself as Chief Escort, the escorts who could occupy the position of chief escort were few enough to count on one's fingers. Any chief escort was absolute core leadership within the agency, with status and treatment far beyond the reach of ordinary escorts.
As for what Qi Mingyuan was granting Wei Zhao—though the word "honorary" was prefixed to it, so that compared with a chief escort's real authority it was for the most part a halo of status—even so, it made everyone in the hall deeply envious and covetous.
For it represented not only exalted standing within the agency, but also meant that whenever Wei Zhao had need, he could summon the strength of Qingtian Escort Agency at any time and any place. The power of it was no small matter.