Chapter 4499 — The Black Falcon Escort Agency Arrives
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Just then, several people entered through the hall's main doors. Ignoring the strange looks from the crowd, the leader strode up to Wei Zhao and the others with a hearty laugh: "Chief Escort Qi, Young Hero Ling—since everyone's in such fine spirits, might you count Old Zhao in?"
The newcomer was none other than Zhao Shanying, Chief Escort of the Black Falcon Escort Agency, and the several men following behind him were all core higher-ups of the Black Falcon Escort Agency.
"Haha, Chief Escort Zhao is a rare guest whom we could never invite even if we tried—of course you're warmly welcome!" Qi Mingyuan said with a laugh. As for what had brought Zhao Shanying and his party here, he could guess without thinking twice: the man had come to extend an olive branch.
The new order of the South Continent Escort Alliance was already perfectly clear. Among the five great agencies, the Qingtian Escort Agency stood at the head, followed by the Divine Wind Escort Agency, the Tianhong Escort Agency, the Black Falcon Escort Agency, and the Four Seas Escort Agency. And the one that had won the greatest voice of all was, without question, the newly risen overlord, the Qingtian Escort Agency.
Among the remaining agencies, the Divine Wind, Tianhong, and Four Seas Escort Agencies were all old-established houses. Only the Black Falcon Escort Agency was newly risen to the top. On its own it could hardly clap with one hand; once squeezed by the others acting in concert, even a seat among the five great agencies might not bring it any considerable profit. In such a situation, Zhao Shanying had to find a powerful ally.
And the Qingtian Escort Agency was precisely the peerless choice in Zhao Shanying's eyes.
For one thing, this ally was the new overlord of the escort world, wholly deserving of the word "powerful." For another, it too was a new force, separated from the other traditional houses by no small gulf. If the Qingtian Escort Agency wished to unfold a grand design, it would inevitably need a reliable ally to echo it—and the Black Falcon Escort Agency fit that role exactly.
So the Qingtian and Black Falcon Escort Agencies drawing close to each other was, in the eyes of both Qi Mingyuan and Zhao Shanying, a matter of mutual benefit that came as naturally as water flowing into a channel. That was why Zhao Shanying had come to lend his presence at this victory feast, and why Qi Mingyuan greeted him with a smiling face, turning none away.
As a local warlord, Zhao Shanying must surely have his ruthless side, yet before Wei Zhao and the others he showed himself smooth and agreeable. With his hearty manner, a few words were enough to draw them closer—only the one he praised most at the table was not Qi Mingyuan, the Chief Escort, but Wei Zhao, who had left such a deep impression on him.
Heroes admire heroes, and Zhao Shanying held Wei Zhao in the highest esteem. Had he not been so keenly interested in Wei Zhao as a person, a man of his standing as Chief Escort of the Black Falcon Escort Agency would hardly have been willing to stoop so low as to come in person to lend his presence, even to ally with the Qingtian Escort Agency.
Of course, beyond that esteem, whether there lurked other, deeper intentions in his heart was impossible to say. At least as far as Wei Zhao was concerned, he did not believe that a cunning figure like Zhao Shanying was a mere starstruck admirer; if anything, flattery with the aim of setting him up for a fall seemed the more accurate description.
By his reckoning, Zhao Shanying, while drawing close to the Qingtian Escort Agency this time, had likely also meant to seize the chance to sow discord between Wei Zhao and the Qi father and son. Four words—merit so great it shakes the sovereign—were enough to plant a fatal knot of resentment in both hearts.
Only, the bond between Wei Zhao and the Qingtian Escort Agency was not something outsiders could ever understand!