17. Business
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As soon as 'Luoyin' and Weiyan were out of sight, Bailong quickly released Weiyan's hand.
"Don't flatter yourself. It's repayment." He said, dusting his hands. "You saved me from the evil spirits, and though it was unwelcome, you cared for me afterwards.
"And besides, I can't stand Xu Linhua!"
It wasn't a lie.
In Luoyin's memories, Xu Linhua was present for quite a lot of Zhang Cheng's bullying, and she had laughed heartily, even suggesting a few 'punishments' of her own.
He wasn't sure if Xu Linhua was one of Luoyin's grievances, but he personally vowed she would not have a happy time around him!
"Then, thank you for your help." Weiyan was replying with a small bow, and then she continued walking.
Back at the Garden Pagoda, Lords Zhang and Xu looked up to see Weiyan approaching with Luoyin.
Lord Zhang nearly dropped his tea cup.
He hadn't seen his son in four months or more, and even with Luoyin's face covered, he could see the numerous cuts and bruises on his face.
Despite that, Luoyin's aura felt different.
There was a confidence he hadn't sensed in years.
"A-Yin! Where have you been?! Why hide your face to the point where your own father can't see you?!" He motioned for Luoyin to come closer, but Bailong pretended he didn't notice and stopped a short distance away.
"I offer my greetings, Father." He cupped his hands and gave a short bow in Lord Zhang's direction. "Sect Leader Xu." He bowed to Lord Xu as well.
"A-Yin, spare the formality! Come! Sit!" Lord Zhang chuckled nervously. "Tsk tsk tsk! What type of training brought you to this point?! You have to care for yourself! Are you harmed?"
"Father, If I didn't die in the last four months, I will surely live to a ripe old age." Bailong joked, but made a point of sitting closer to Lord Xu as Weiyan settled in as well.
Bailong didn't miss the sliver of guilt that crossed Lord Zhang's face as he said 'four months'.
'Zhang Luoyin' died four months ago, yet his own father hadn't looked for him.
But Lord Xu's deep chuckle lightened the atmosphere.
"The energy of being a youth!" He said, grinning at 'Luoyin'. "You helped me and Yan yan last night, so we wanted to come and thank you personally!"
"Sect Leader Xu, there is no need for that!" Bailong cupped his hand and bowed again. "Before you knew whether I would bring help or trouble, you already offered me protection from Sun Li-. Ahem! From High Immortal Sun!"
"Oh, that's simply my responsibility as a Sect Leader! I won't insult you by pretending I have fond feelings for you, so we insist on offering thanks! Yan yan!" He turned to Weiyan.
Weiyan knelt upright, cupped her hand and bowed slightly. "2nd Young Master Zhang, it's thanks to you that I wasn't cheated. Please accept my thanks and a humble gift."
She held out a hand, her *Spatial ring glowed briefly, and a small pill urn appeared on her palm.
*(Spatial rings, pouches, sleeves are like a spirit storage system, where a person can store items. The higher the storage level, the more items, and bigger sizes they can hold. For sleeves, only Immortals can use it in this book, and it's dependent on their power)
"These are four qi absorption and condensation pills, once given to me by a... friend. They are twenty times stronger than the average versions here in the Mortal Realm."
Seeing the pill urn made Bailong's eyes widen slightly.
"Oh?" He collected the urn, opened it and sniffed it. "These are some high quality pills! A 'friend' gave it to you, you said?"
Weiyan watched Luoyin accept the pills and sniff them. But there was almost something accusatory in his tone which made her feel guilty.
The pills had been given to her by Yin Xiaolong...
Bailong shut the pill urn. "3rd Miss, Xu, you have a powerful 'friend'." He said, his eyes meeting hers.
Under the scrutiny of slanted light-brown eyes which resembled Yin Xiaolong's golden gaze, Weiyan found it hard to say anything.
"But don't you think giving me this is like pouring water into a basket?" Bailong asked.
"Silly boy! Just accept it!" Lord Zhang said, but Weiyan bowed her head.
"2nd Young Master Zhang, *there's nothing set in stone in this world."
(*nothing is impossible)
Bailong studied her for a few seconds. 'Hmph. She has a decent side.'
"Then I thank you for your gift." He finally said, before turning his attention back to Lord Xu.
Lord Xu gave him a small smile.
"So, 2nd Young Master Zha-."
"Sect Leader Xu, please feel free to call me 'Xiao Yin' like you used to."
"Ah, should I?" Xu Fengyan cocked his head at Luoyin.
He had been rather annoyed in the past, when Zhang Luoyin had said that he no longer wanted his engagement, and he had even said it in Weiyan's presence, so Xu Fengyan had put him at arm's length since then.
But now he poured Luoyin a cup of tea, and 'Luoyin' accepted it with two hands.
Xu Fengyan studied the young man as he breathed in the tea's aroma before sipping politely.
"Xiao Yin, it has been a while since we last discussed. I hope you will forgive this old man the distance."
Bailong dipped his head in a small bow. "Sect Leader Xu, you're too nice! I was the one who hid myself away." He said.
He could already guess the main purpose of Xu Fengyan's visit, so he encouraged him.
After studying 'business' under Immortal Kai Zhen, deity of wealth, there was no way he wouldn't recognize such a good opportunity!
"Hao!" Xu Fengyan drank from his own cup. "How about we establish some new relations then?" He dropped his cup.
"The Divine Light Tiger is in a precarious situation, and if anything happens to her, it will be the end of us. If anything happens to the cub, we will be a laughing stock, and if anything happens to both of them, the entire Yueyan Mountain might vanish.
"You seem to have quite the knowledge about creatures, enough to even 'educate' High Immortal Sun Liang. If you accept the job of seeing the Light Tiger through delivery and recovery, then you have a chance to earn a hefty bit of gold."
"Ah, I see." Bailong pretended to consider it. "But Sect Leader Xu, I have no need for gold." He said with a shrug.
"Oh? And what do you have 'need for'?" Xu Fengyan asked, leaning forward.
Bailong smiled and leaned forward as well. "It's a hefty price indeed."
"How dare you, you stupid brat?!!" Lord Zhang roared. "Be grateful that your Sect Leader even wants your help!"
Bailong's eyes darted to Lord Zhang. 'Hmph. I was waiting for you here! Then enjoy the drama!'
Bailong dramatically put a hand to his head. "Sect Leader Xu, I feel frightened all of a sudden! My childhood trauma is kicking in!"
He looked at his father in utter fright, then back at Lord Xu.
"I don't think I can make any fair demands here!"
"Y-you brat! What are you trying to say?!" Lord Zhang demanded.
Xu Fengyan was a bit shocked, but that gave way to amusement.
He didn't believe Luoyin one single bit, but he got the message: "I won't say anything if my father is present!"
Xu Fengyan turned to his friend and cupped his hands. "Hahaha! Zhang Guo, forgive him, forgive him! These youths... Please permit us to discuss privately. My apologies for making such a request under your own roof. This is something the Sect needs!"
Lord Zhang quickly fixed his expression. "Ahaha, I overreacted! I will give way, if my friend is asking!" He said, rising to his feet.
He threw one last annoyed look at Luoyin, then walked away, shaking his head.
Bailong raised a brow at Weiyan. "3rd Miss Xu, could you excuse us as well?" All signs of his earlier distress had vanished!
Weiyan's eyes narrowed to curious slits, but her father nodded at her and she reluctantly excused them.
Xu Fengyan chuckled. "Xiao Yin, you surprise me! Now that we're alone, make your request."
Bailong smiled. "Sect Leader Xu, permit me to say something before I state my demands!"
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