213 Self-Reliant Wang Baole (1/2)
As the voice rang out, the elderly butler, who had received and escorted Zhao Yameng away the day before, walked into the store with a smile on his face. He smiled and nodded at Wang Baole and Zhuo Yifan.
Behind him stood a dozen strong men. Every one of them had a solemn expression on their faces, and they spread out within the store, surveying all four corners carefully. The owner of the store, whose status and background was also considerably influential, started paying some attention to them.
Wang Baole and Zhuo Yifan didn't dare to keep the other party waiting. The latter was a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator after all, and also one of Zhao Yameng's family clan members. They greeted him immediately.
”Don't stand on ceremony, young heroes,” the elderly man spoke warmly. His glance swept across both of them as he considered them both. He thought his family's young missus preferred to be on her own, so there must be a reason why she had chosen to stay in the company of the two.
He studied Wang Baole again before giving Zhuo Yifan a more detailed look. The more he looked at Zhuo Yifan, the more he approved of the latter. The look of assessment in his eyes made Zhuo Yifan slightly nervous, and Zhuo Yifan asked politely, ”Sir, is there a reason why you are looking for us?”
As for Wang Baole, it was the first time he was referred to as a young hero. He felt strange. At the same time, he also noticed the look in the elder's eyes and could not help but cough.
”Sir, actually, if you exclude my good looks, high cultivation level, great potential, and exemplary moral character, I have no good qualities to speak of; I'm not worthy of being called a young hero.”
As soon as he said that, the old man, who had been studying Zhuo Yifan, turned and stared at Wang Baole in surprise. The expression on his face changed gradually. After a long moment, he shook his head and smiled, then explained why he had come.
”Our young missus has always been solitary in nature. When she left to seek an education, she made a promise with our master that she would rely only on herself. Our master wanted to send someone to guard her in secret, but the young missus has a natural spirit body. She would be able to sense someone unless he is a Core Formation realm cultivator…
”Our master already knows about the incident at Coulomb Basin. He is furious but also extremely grateful to both of you. This is but a small token of his thanks and cannot fully express his gratitude. Please accept it,” the elderly man explained, then handed a card crafted from Spirit Stones to Wang Baole and Zhuo Yifan. There was a mark on the cards to protect against forgery.
When the cards were presented, the pupils of many of the customers in the store contracted. Those who could not contain themselves revealed a look of shock on their faces. They started speaking in hushed tones.
”That's… a Silver Spirit Card!”
”I've heard about such cards before. Only ten Gold Spirit Cards have been issued in the entire Federation. Only the owners of these ten cards have the right to give their guests a Silver Spirit Card, which is infinite in number and means that the cardholder is an esteemed guest!” Even the store owner, upon seeing the card, was moved.
”All of your expenses within the city may be settled with this card!” The elderly man heard the gasps of shock from the surrounding people and smiled lightly. He nodded at Wang Baole and Zhuo Yifan, cupped his fists in a salute, then left politely.
The surrounding strong men departed with the elderly man, and the store gradually resumed its previous liveliness. However, with the recent encounter with the elderly man, the store owner, who had not paid Wang Baole and Zhuo Yifan much attention, walked over and attended to the both of them personally.
As for Wang Baole, he listened to the surrounding murmurs as he held the card in his hand. He noticed the looks of shock and envy in their eyes, and could not help but be stirred. He looked at Zhuo Yifan and saw the latter had fallen into a stunned daze again. He sighed.
”Yifan, you might not be feeling any psychological stress, but I can't handle this. Tell me… does this make me a kept man? Hah, I'm so torn. I never imagined there would come a day when I'd be sponging off a woman.” Wang Baole let loose a long sigh and shook his head as he lamented.
Zhuo Yifan gave Wang Baole's round ball-like body a strange look, coughed and did not say a word.
”I, Wang Baole, have always been self-reliant. Everything that I have was earned with my own hands. I've never sought help from other people. This is a principle of mine.” Wang Baole had a serious expression on his face. As he said that, he turned his head towards the store owner and flung the Silver Spirit Card in his hand over.
”The materials I'd chosen earlier—unless there's no stock, I want ten times the quantity.
”Use this card to pay for it!”
Zhuo Yifan: ”…”
The other customers: ”…”
The store owner: ”…”