https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-297-Expansion-of-the-Blacksmith-Camp/13031165/
Chapter 296: Ma Pen's Return
Chapter 296: Ma Pen's Return
September 25, 2017
"It's better this way. After all, Dingxiang is their territory, and it's not safe for the Lord to go there suddenly. Who knows what they might do? Let's give them some time before we make our next move."
Li Xiong was a cautious man, and his concerns were rooted in ensuring Lu Haikong's safety.
Upon further reflection, Lu Haikong's proposal seemed feasible. Temporarily halting the trade would allow Li Xiong to focus on managing the external affairs of the mountain camp. However, there was one aspect that Li Xiong had overlooked.
"No, I've just decided not to accept their exploitation. I still intend to go to Dingxiang. I want to see what tricks that guy is up to." Lu Haikong narrowed his eyes.
Hearing this, Li Xiong was startled, "Lord, that might not be a good idea. We don't know much about that person, but based on their actions today, he's definitely not a good person. What if he loses his temper and attacks you? Since you've decided to temporarily halt the trade with the Dingxiang Clan, it's best not to pay them any mind. We can send out a large number of men and use external forces to uncover the guy's background, strength, and character first."
Li Xiong strongly disagreed with Lu Haikong's plan to go to Dingxiang. He had personally witnessed Pan Feng's formidable strength and couldn't even block a single move from her. The fact that even Pan Feng almost fell to that cavalry unit made Li Xiong genuinely worried for Lu Haikong's safety.
"Rest assured, I know what I'm doing. Since they've made their move, I can't just ignore it. As for safety concerns, you don't need to worry. I guarantee I'll return from Dingxiang without a scratch."
Lu Haikong was a stubborn man. Once he decided to go to Dingxiang, it was as good as set in stone. No amount of opposition from Li Xiong would change his mind.
Li Xiong understood Lu Haikong's personality well, and after a sigh, he decided not to persuade him further.
After Lu Haikong made his decision, the small meeting among the mountain camp's high-ranking officials came to an end. However, Li Xiong became busy after the meeting.
Since Lu Haikong had decided to go, Li Xiong, as his subordinate, could only mobilize all available forces and prepare thoroughly to ensure Lu Haikong's journey to Dingxiang was foolproof.
After the meeting, Wang Jun and Li Xiong went about their respective tasks, while Xi ZhiCai lingered a little longer, chatting with Lu Haikong in the Assembly Hall.
"I was planning to wait until you finished the handover with Li Feng before starting the plan, but I didn't expect an unexpected event to occur before we even began."
"All plans are subject to unexpected events. The focus isn't on the unexpected or the plan itself, but on the goal. As long as the goal remains unchanged, the unexpected and the plan aren't that important." Xi ZhiCai explained.
"Are you saying that this unexpected event might not be a bad thing for me?" Lu Haikong asked uncertainly.
"Perhaps. Unexpected events and plans aren't necessarily opposing forces." Lu Haikong's face remained gentle and warm.
Lu Haikong couldn't help but smile wryly, "I mean, can we talk without making it so complicated? Can you just say what you mean directly?"
"For me, the most interesting thing is thinking. Giving up on thinking or borrowing someone else's thoughts would diminish the enjoyment. Moreover, only when you grasp it yourself, is it truly yours." Xi ZhiCai paused for a moment, his face expressionless, but Lu Haikong unexpectedly sensed a feeling of loneliness.
As Lu HaiKong was about to speak, Xi ZhiCai's eyebrows twitched slightly, "I still have matters to attend to at the White Tiger Hall, so I'll head there first."
"Wait a moment!" Xi ZhiCai was about to leave, but Lu HaiKong grabbed his hand, honestly, he was perplexed by Xi ZhiCai's actions. This guy, a scholar with barely enough strength to bind a chicken, why was he so sharp? Ma Pen had just entered the Assembly Hall, and ordinary people wouldn't have noticed, but Xi ZhiCai immediately sensed his presence.
"Don't rush off. I'll introduce you to someone. You'll be working together soon, so I'll introduce you ahead of time."
As Lu HaiKong finished speaking, Ma Pen stepped out of the darkness. As a Phantom Guard, Ma Pen's entrance was somewhat peculiar, as if he had appeared out of thin air. Such an abrupt appearance would typically startle people, but Xi ZhiCai maintained a gentle smile, clearly already aware of Ma Pen's presence.
"Ma Pen greets Mr. Xi," Ma Pen said with a slight bow to Xi ZhiCai.
Ma Pen's gaze was calm as he looked at Xi ZhiCai, the man he knew would likely become his superior. There was no curiosity, scrutiny, or discontent in his eyes.
For Ma Pen, as long as Lu HaiKong believed Xi ZhiCai had the capability, he would follow his orders without hesitation. Whether the person in front of him was capable of being his superior or not didn't matter.
As long as Lu HaiKong deemed Xi ZhiCai capable, Ma Pen would obey. If Lu HaiKong wanted Xi ZhiCai dead, Ma Pen wouldn't hesitate.
Ma Pen was an extreme loyalist, centered around Lu HaiKong. All his actions and principles revolved around Lu HaiKong. If someone asked Ma Pen about Xi ZhiCai, he would simply say, 'My lord speaks highly of him!'
Ma Pen and Xi ZhiCai had known of each other for quite some time, but this was their first meeting. When Ma Pen saw Xi ZhiCai, he instantly understood what kind of person he was.
Xi ZhiCai nodded briefly at Ma Pen, acknowledging their introduction. After a quick exchange with Lu HaiKong, Xi ZhiCai turned and left. It was clear that Ma Pen and Lu HaiKong had more to discuss.
(Chapter 16, Book 1)
After Xi ZhiCai left, Lu HaiKong asked, "How is the situation in the Yellow Turban Territory?" Due to system restrictions, Xi ZhiCai was temporarily unable to access information about the Yellow Turban Territory.
Hearing the question, Ma Pen took out a prepared document from his pocket and handed it to Lu HaiKong.
Some intelligence was not easily explained verbally, and written materials were more straightforward.
As Lu HaiKong took the document, Ma Pen added, "I've been discovered."
"What?" Lu HaiKong was taken aback.
"I was discovered in the Yellow Turban Territory, and I don't know when it happened. It wasn't until I left the territory that I found a rune attached to my back."
Ma Pen handed a rune to Lu HaiKong.
Seeing the rune, Lu HaiKong was surprised, then he smiled, "In that case, I seem to have acted like a petty person."
Although Lu HaiKong spoke casually, he didn't seem too concerned about the matter.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
