Chapter 491 - 224: Did Not Miss
Chapter 491: Chapter 224: Did Not Miss
Fang Shuwen picked up his teacup, his finger tracing the rim lightly.
"Can you tell me, in detail, about the trouble you’re in?"
Luo Shuqing was about to speak when the young man named Zuo Xuan cut her off.
"My apologies, Hero Fang, but this concerns a secret of the Qingxiao Pavilion and is not convenient to disclose.
"If Hero Fang is willing to take this job, the Qingxiao Pavilion will offer a substantial reward in addition to the silver."
Fang Shuwen glanced at Luo Shuqing and chuckled softly.
"In that case, you should seek help elsewhere."
He had made his rules very clear to the Golden Bell Tower. If they wanted him to act, they had to explain the full story.
This was, after all, a life-or-death business. Once Fang Shuwen agreed, he would be responsible for protecting their lives and shouldering their burdens, at least for the duration of the journey.
But if he didn’t even know the details, how could Fang Shuwen be sure of the position his clients held in this matter?
What if they had committed murder and arson, wiping out entire families? Would he have to help them fend off those seeking revenge? Wouldn’t that be aiding the wicked?
Even taking a step back, at the very least, Fang Shuwen needed to know who was after them and what kind of opponents he would face.
If they couldn’t even manage that, Fang Shuwen wouldn’t agree, no matter how suitable the job seemed.
Zuo Xuan’s expression soured, but he didn’t dare say more.
Since they had arrived with Xu Zhiyin, she had already warned them on the way about many potential scenarios.
They knew that the man before them, though he appeared young, was by no means easy to deal with.
Even if the deal fell through, they couldn’t afford to make an enemy of him.
"Actually... it wouldn’t hurt to tell him."
Luo Shuqing began hesitantly.
Zuo Xuan was stunned and quickly said,
"Young Lady, you mustn’t!"
Xu Zhiyin suddenly looked at Zuo Xuan, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Since when does a subordinate tell their master what to do?"
Zuo Xuan’s face changed, and he hurriedly knelt on one knee before Luo Shuqing.
"This subordinate wouldn’t dare."
Luo Shuqing quickly waved her hands.
"Alright, get up. I don’t blame you."
Seeing this, Xu Zhiyin sighed.
As the Young Tower Master of the Golden Bell Tower, she had known Luo Shuqing, the Young Lady of Mi Yin Island, for many years.
Although they rarely had the chance to meet due to the distance between their homes,
she knew Luo Shuqing very well.
She was a girl with a gentle temperament and a kind heart.
If she were an ordinary woman, such a personality wouldn’t be a problem, but she was no ordinary person.
Mi Yin Island, the home of Qingxiao Pavilion, was one of the Eight Forbidden Lands in the East Sea.
Each of these Eight Forbidden Lands was extraordinary. Though they rarely involved themselves in the disputes of the Jianghu, they were tacitly acknowledged as powers that should not be provoked.
The Celestial Water Palace, home to the siblings Shui Qianliu and Shui Qianrou, was ranked alongside Qingxiao Pavilion as one of the Eight Forbidden Lands.
As the Young Lady and Young Island Master of such a power, Luo Shuqing’s personality made her seem weak and easily bullied.
Take today’s incident, for example. Luo Shuqing hadn’t even spoken, yet Zuo Xuan, a mere guard, had already refused on her behalf. This was a gross overstepping of his bounds.
Xu Zhiyin, taking advantage of their years of friendship, had reprimanded Zuo Xuan for her.
But before Zuo Xuan even had a chance to react, Luo Shuqing had already rushed to forgive him...
’It’s already like this. If this continues, and she becomes the Pavilion Master of Qingxiao Pavilion in the future... it’s hard to say who the real Pavilion Master will be.’
At this thought, Xu Zhiyin sighed.
The words she had just spoken had, in fact, already overstepped her own place.
If she said any more, she would be the one without a sense of propriety.
Glancing at Zuo Xuan, who had risen back to his feet, Xu Zhiyin said softly,
"Shuqing, you must know that you are now standing on the edge of a bottomless abyss, walking on thin ice. The danger is immense.
"I can tell you clearly: in the entire Eastern Domain today, there is only one person who can ensure you return to Qingxiao Pavilion safely.
"If you cannot be completely honest with him, then after we part ways today, I fear we may never see each other again."
Zuo Xuan’s face darkened, and he instinctively started to speak again.
But he was pulled back by Zuo Hong, who was beside him.
Luo Shuqing’s expression was unreadable, but her hands were clasped together tightly, as if she were in the midst of an intense inner conflict.
Fang Shuwen gave her a thoughtful look, then said,
"This matter, let’s just..."
"Wait."
Luo Shuqing hurriedly cut Fang Shuwen off.
Fang Shuwen looked at Luo Shuqing with a half-smile.
"What is the meaning of this, Young Lady?"
Luo Shuqing took a deep breath.
"I’m willing to tell you."
But Fang Shuwen shook his head.
"You may be willing to tell me, but I’m not necessarily willing to listen anymore.
"This matter ends here.
"Everyone, farewell."
"Ah?"
Luo Shuqing was stunned.
"Wh-Why are you being like this?"
Fang Shuwen had already stood up.
"Young Tower Master, let’s finalize the matter we discussed today soon. I will be awaiting you at One Square House today or tomorrow."
After speaking, he paid no mind to Luo Shuqing’s reaction and simply left.
"Hero... Hero Fang!"
Luo Shuqing stood up to chase after him but was stopped by Xu Zhiyin, who had also risen to see Fang Shuwen off.
"Zhiyin, what should I do?"
Luo Shuqing grabbed Xu Zhiyin’s hand.
"I think he’s angry."
Xu Zhiyin shot her a look, then glanced at Zuo Xuan and Zuo Hong.
"You two, step outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with your Young Lady."
The two exchanged a glance. Zuo Xuan looked like he wanted to say something, but Zuo Hong dragged him out.
The old man who had been with Xu Zhiyin also followed them out of the private room. He closed the door and stood guard in front of it, preventing anyone from approaching.