The Endless Promise

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."