Chapter 4781 — Huo Yudie Follows
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
With no other choice, Wei Zhao turned to look at Liu Ziqi, hoping her master would step in and dissuade the girl. To his surprise, Liu Ziqi nodded and said, "Very well then. Die'er, you go with Wei Zhao—and be sure to take every care for your safety."
Pfft! Wei Zhao nearly spat at the words. So it was not only Huo Yudie whose thinking was peculiar—her master was plainly of the same school. Like master, like disciple, sure enough.
In truth, Liu Ziqi had agreed so readily for two reasons. First was a sense of making it up to Wei Zhao: both he and Ning Xuefei had been entrusted to her care by Ning Shanghe, and yet because she had not been forceful enough, Wei Zhao had been pushed into danger; having Huo Yudie accompany him would at least provide some support. Second, she had seen into her precious disciple's heart and decided to grant the girl her wish.
Hearing the conversation from afar, and especially hearing that Huo Yudie meant to accompany Wei Zhao up to the lookout platform, Ren Zhongyuan—still gloating over on his side—nearly choked with fury. He had meant to shove Wei Zhao into a pit of fire; how had he somehow handed the man a chance to be alone with Huo Yudie?
The lookout platform stood high above, all but cut off from everything below, free of any disturbance. Up there, Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie would be living in a pure two-person world. What pit of fire was this? It was a veritable haven of tender romance!
Yet Ren Zhongyuan could not stop it. He could only gnash his teeth in silence and console himself: Go on, go on—let him look at Wei Zhao a couple more days. Within two days, that boy would be a dead man!
After the noon meal, Wei Zhao and his companion, seen off by Liu Ziqi and Ning Xuefei, arrived at the crew's working area. The first mate of this ancient warship glanced at the two of them—it seemed Okuda Qi had already spoken with him beforehand—and asked lazily, reclining slantwise in his chair, "Wasn't it said there was only one substitute lookout? Why are there two?"
"This is my assistant," Wei Zhao replied coolly. Huo Yudie had been absolutely set on coming, and she had Liu Ziqi's backing besides; there was nothing he could do about it.
"Assistant?" The first mate eyed Huo Yudie sidelong, a leering smile playing across his face. "What sort of assistant? The kind that keeps you company at night? I don't mind telling you, it does get dreadfully dull up there—without something to do, a man could go mad. Seeing as you're such a pitiable fellow, assistant it is."
The words made Huo Yudie flush to the ears, and even Wei Zhao felt a little embarrassed. He truly had not thought of that angle…
"The lookout platform is up above; you can go up yourselves. I needn't waste words on the duties of the post—report dangers in real time and give prompt, accurate orders to evade them. If there's the slightest slip—heh heh." The first mate cast Wei Zhao a look of pity.
There was no need to say what the rest of the sentence meant: once a fault was found, Okuda Qi would surely seize the chance to punish him. If Wei Zhao's negligence alone brought danger upon everyone aboard, then no amount of pleading would avail—the words "dealt with under military law" were not spoken idly.
"I understand," Wei Zhao nodded. Just before leaving, he suddenly said, "May I ask a question? The post of danger lookout is not a thing to be trifled with. Simply to make trouble for one man, are you truly willing to take such a risk?" (To be continued.)