Chapter 4780 — The Danger Lookout
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
A short while later, under everyone's watchful eyes, Ren Zhongyuan strutted into the dining hall, his steps jaunty and triumphant, swaggering like a conqueror.
"Uncle Ao, I'm truly sorry to have troubled you to come all this way—your nephew begs your pardon." Ren Zhongyuan did not so much as glance at Liu Ziqi and the others; he walked over to Aotianba's side as though no one else existed and sat down. The two of them did seem to be on genuinely good terms.
"What's this talk of begging pardon? I'm your uncle—coming to look in on my nephew is only natural, isn't it? Haha!" Aotianba patted Ren Zhongyuan on the shoulder and gestured to the crowd. "No need to sit there frozen, everyone. Come, come, let's eat."
Ren Zhongyuan looked smugly across at Wei Zhao, his face fairly dripping with provocation; he even brazenly drew a finger across his throat in a menacing gesture, not putting Liu Ziqi in his eyes at all. After all, aboard this ancient warship, Liu Ziqi was no match for Aotianba.
Wei Zhao's heart gave a slight jolt, and he cast a calm, unobtrusive glance at Aotianba. Now that the other side had suddenly produced such a powerful patron, matters had indeed become rather difficult; from the look of things, the man would certainly not let the matter drop, and would surely seize the chance to stir up trouble again.
Sure enough, before anyone had eaten more than a few bites, Aotianba suddenly spoke. "Vice Principal Liu, besides looking in on the Eastern Isle disciples, I came here especially this time because there is another important matter I wish to discuss with you."
"Oh? Whatever the captain wishes to say, pray speak plainly." Liu Ziqi exchanged a glance with Wei Zhao and the others, and could not help but feel a sinking sensation in his heart.
"It's like this. Our ship has a post called lookout, whose sole duty is to monitor for danger. I hardly need to explain the importance of this position—without a lookout, we cannot continue sailing the seas. Unfortunately, our original lookout has fallen ill, and rather than waste time at sea, I wish to select a replacement from among you Eastern Isle disciples. The prerequisite, of course, is sufficient sailing experience." Aotianba spoke with a meaningful look.
"This..." Liu Ziqi was slightly taken aback, and was about to ask the others who among them had sailing experience, but before the words left his mouth, Aotianba cut him off.
"I've heard tell that on the way from the Northern Isle to the Western Isle, the treasure ship once encountered pirates in the sea mist, and at that critical moment a disciple by the name of Wei Zhao stepped forward and took the helm himself, turning peril into safety. I think this young man is a fine one—let it be him!" Aotianba declared flatly.
At these words, every eye in the hall instantly fixed upon Wei Zhao—some with sympathy, and some, of course, gloating. Everyone could see that Aotianba had come this time to stand up for Ren Zhongyuan, and was aiming squarely at Wei Zhao!
Watching Ren Zhongyuan's smug grin of a plot come to fruition, Wei Zhao remained unmoved; Huo Yudie and Ning Xuefei, however, were secretly frantic, and both turned imploring looks upon Liu Ziqi. This so-called danger lookout was an absolute pit of fire—once Wei Zhao agreed, he would surely come to great harm.
"Captain Aotianba, Wei Zhao is a new disciple, and moreover the Western Isle's consort. Suddenly appointing him to such an important post seems rather inappropriate, does it not? Perhaps you might consider other disciples?" Liu Ziqi argued.
"Hmph. Vice Principal Liu, don't blame me for not sparing your face—aboard this warship, my orders supersede all else!" As he spoke, Aotianba's aura abruptly shifted, and a heaven-overturning pressure instantly bore down upon everyone's heads. Wei Zhao bore the brunt of it, his ears filled with the man's cold words: "He doesn't want to do it, does he? Very well then—men, throw him overboard!"