Chapter 653: Astonishing Secret
As she watched the door silently swing open, Cao Wanqing was startled. She then glared at the person before her and scolded, “Why do you walk so quietly? Trying to scare people to death early in the morning?”
“Sorry,” Xiao Shun apologized with a smile. Seeing him apologize, Cao Wanqing was surprised and remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Xiao Shun paid no heed to her, quickly walked to the door, and pulled it open. Upon seeing the person who entered, Ning Zhiyuan and his disciple immediately greeted him with clasped hands, “Mr. Xiao!”
“No need for formalities, come in,” Xiao Shun waved his hand and ushered the two in. Cao Wanqing, seeing the unusual relationship between them and Xiao Shun, let down her guard and revealed her true self.
This surprised Hu Bugui, who stared at Cao Wanqing’s stunning beauty as if struck by lightning. Seeing his disciple staring so intently at the girl, Ning Zhiyuan reprimanded him, “Bugui, how can you be so rude?”
Bugui blushed even more at the scolding. Despite the embarrassing situation, Cao Wanqing didn’t seem to mind and smiled at the flustered Bugui. “Hehe, are you my fan?”
Bugui shyly nodded, looking down. Meanwhile, Ning Zhiyuan, in a slightly puzzled state, jokingly said, “Fan? Feeling hot?”
Xiao Shun, sipping his tea, couldn’t help but chuckle at Ning Zhiyuan’s words, causing him to accidentally shake his hand and grimace at the hot liquid. It seemed like he was more out of touch than himself, truly an ancient person!
Thinking of his master in that moment, Xiao Shun couldn’t help but reflect on how both his master and himself were indifferent to worldly affairs.
For a moment, Xiao Shun felt a myriad of emotions. He then shifted his tea cup, interrupting his thoughts and saying, “Mr. Ning, have some tea.”
Ning Zhiyuan, snapping back to reality, glared at his disciple playfully before giving a nod to Xiao Shun. “Thank you, Mr. Xiao!”Content © NôvelDrama.Org 2024.
“Mr. Hu, have some tea!” Xiao Shun said lightly, pushing the tea cup towards Bugui. This straightforward and spirited young man seemed like a little girl at the moment, too awed by his idol’s charm to even raise his head.
Bugui cautiously approached Xiao Shun and whispered, “Mr. Xiao, could you help me with something?”
Understanding instantly, Xiao Shun smiled and replied, “You can discuss the autograph with Miss Cao. She won’t refuse you. I have something to discuss with your master.” Bugui’s face lit up, and he discreetly glanced at Cao Wanqing, who was having breakfast in the dining room, looking a bit dazed.
Observing Bugui’s expression, Ning Zhiyuan became furious and reprimanded him, “Stop making a fool of yourself here, go away!” Bugui grinned, carefully walking towards Cao Wanqing.
Seeing how Bugui was captivated by the star’s charm, Xiao Shun couldn’t help but smile wryly. Enjoying his tea, Ning Zhiyuan put the cup down and looked at Xiao Shun, who was sitting across from him.
He inquired, “Mr. Xiao, last time you asked me not to return to Cliffside with you, are you planning to go alone?”
Xiao Shun nodded, explaining, “I realized that Nie Jiuchong’s threat to you and your disciple was merely a ploy to get me involved. The true target is me.”
His deduction matched Ning Zhiyuan’s thoughts. The Old School Society had been trying to uncover the secret of the herbal garden for some time now. “Hanging Flask Inn” had been reluctant to reveal the location of the herbal garden, and Nie Jiuchong hadn’t resorted to force yet.
However, with Xiao Shun suddenly appearing, they had no choice but to take drastic measures. By targeting Ning Zhiyuan, they aimed to lure Xiao Shun out. It was a well-thought-out plan.
“Mr. Xiao, this trip is extremely dangerous!” Ning Zhiyuan said with concern, a hint of guilt in his eyes.
Having just joined the New School Society, they hadn’t contributed much yet, while Xiao Shun had taken the lead. This made Ning Zhiyuan feel ashamed.
Xiao Shun waved it off, “This is not just about ‘Hanging Flask Inn.’ It’s a conflict between the New School Society and the Old School Society. As your Senior at Pellet Pavilion, I can’t allow wolves to prey on you.”
He was someone who valued his followers. Even though some joined the organization for various reasons, he would always try his best to protect them. After all, how could a leader become strong if he couldn’t protect his subordinates?
Furthermore, he still needed to settle the score with Nie Jiuchong for Qin Zhenhuan’s injury in Northleap. While Xiao Shun was lost in his thoughts, Ning Zhiyuan hesitated, wanting to say something but unable to make up his mind.
Misunderstanding Ning Zhiyuan’s hesitation, Xiao Shun thought he was concerned about his safety and reassured him, “Senior, don’t worry about my safety on this trip. The herbal garden is crucial to both of us, and we can’t afford any mishaps.”
“Mr. Xiao, you misunderstand me,” Ning Zhiyuan shook his head with a bitter smile. “Your strength is evident. Even if you can’t match many experts of the Old School Society, escaping should be easy for you.”
“Then why…” Xiao Shun’s question was cut off as Ning Zhiyuan continued, “Mr. Xiao, ‘Hanging Flask Inn’ has been keeping an earth-shattering secret for a long time. It’s so significant that I was contemplating whether I should confide in you.”
“An earth-shattering secret?” Xiao Shun looked puzzled. The history of “Hanging Flask Inn” in Wradeogon was much longer than that of the Old School Society, but due to the latter’s resource blockade in recent years, the once-renowned pharmacy had fallen into decline.
Even so, in the hearts of Xiao Shun and his master, the pharmacy still shone brightly. Master had mentioned this place many times, always with great admiration and respect.
A pharmacy that had survived through the ages, amidst the changing times, had surely endured many hardships and struggles. The process behind it was likely complicated and mysterious, making it difficult for outsiders to comprehend.