Chapter 4580 — A Long View
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"This was a decision of the Azure Cloud Pavilion's internal council of elders. I can only follow the rules. I had originally planned to delay delivery until three days from now—just enough time to give you all a heads-up. But who could have guessed that I had only just received the order from above when word came from Junior Brother Ma saying he had already come to take over. That's why I rushed over in such a hurry, and never expected to walk in on this scene. Ah!" Jia Mufan heaved a long sigh, clapped Lu Bianren on the shoulder, and said to the group with a shamefaced look, "This was poor planning on my part. I've let you suffer."
"Senior Brother Jia, you mustn't blame yourself. What happened today is between us and Ma Dangfeng—it has nothing to do with you. We will keep your kindness in our hearts," Lu Bianren said at once, and the others all nodded in agreement. What had happened today had made their feud with Ma Dangfeng a matter of life and death; from now on, there could be no reconciliation.
"Be that as it may, it was my late arrival that let you come to harm. As it happens, I'm on good terms with the steward in charge of medicine at the Elixir Hall. Let me take you there to be treated—I guarantee there won't be the slightest aftereffect," Jia Mufan offered of his own accord.
Lu Bianren glanced at Qiao Hongcai and Miserable Senior Brother. His own group's injuries were nothing much—a dab of good wound salve and they would heal quickly enough without ever setting foot in the Elixir Hall. But these two were different. Qiao Hongcai's hand was a mangled ruin, and Miserable Senior Brother's right leg had nearly been severed. Without prompt treatment, that would spell real trouble.
"In that case, we thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother Jia." Lu Bianren did not decline. Treating their wounds was the pressing matter at hand; owing a favor for it was no great burden, so long as he found a chance to repay it later.
"Think nothing of it. It's a senior brother's duty—what is there to thank me for?" Jia Mufan waved a hand and at once led them toward the Medical Hall. As they walked, he asked, "By the way, is there still no word of Junior Brother Lin?"
"None. Ever since I parted ways with him in the Southern Continent seas, I've had no news of him at all." Lu Bianren and the others looked downcast. If Wei Zhao were here, how could he ever have let a clown like Ma Dangfeng strut and swagger? At the very least, he could have kept them all safe—certainly not left them in such a sorry state as this...
"Don't worry. Junior Brother Lin has the luck of the virtuous. Have faith in him—he will come back safe and sound," Jia Mufan said with a smile, offering comfort.
"Quite right. Junior Brother Lin will surely be safe—surely!" Lu Bianren nodded firmly. Hearing the two of them speak this way, the others' spirits finally lifted a little.
After a pause, Lu Bianren suddenly remembered something and said to Jia Mufan, "Senior Brother Jia, Junior Brother Lin and Junior Sister Huang previously took on the mission to capture the devil cultivator Wu Baoliang. Word has already come back that Wu Baoliang was killed on the spot. Might I trouble you to cancel that mission for them when you have a moment?"
"Of course. That's my duty—rest easy," Jia Mufan agreed readily, without a second thought.
"Then thank you, Senior Brother Jia." Lu Bianren and the others nodded gratefully. They thought to themselves how fortunate it was that this senior brother, steward of the inner court, was so easy to deal with; otherwise, not only would they never have survived today's ordeal, but even canceling the mission would likely have cost them no end of trouble.