49: Chapter 49 Huo Xiao's Befriending Plan

It's a good thing I realized something was wrong at the time and didn't follow that brute Captain Han inside.

Otherwise... I suspect I'd be just like Captain Han now, with not even a corpse left to be found.

"Young Master Wang, you're joking... I happened to have something to attend to that day, so I couldn't make it..."

"Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to stand here and talk to you right now."

Before the words were finished, a series of footsteps came from inside.

Captain Huo Xiao walked out from the camp.

He walked to the entrance, his gaze landing on Wang Lin, a warm smile spreading across his face.

"This must be Young Master Wang, right? Welcome, welcome."

The reason he hadn't appeared in the past few days, or why he appeared after Su Wan, was based on careful consideration.

If he were too eager or too proactive, it would make the other party feel resistant or defensive.

But with Su Wan having paved the way, the timing was just right.

Wang Lin looked at the enthusiastic middle-aged man in front of him, but he didn't seem to know him, did he?

He turned his head to look at Su Wan: "Who is this?"

Su Wan quickly introduced him: "This is our Dark Blade leader, Captain Huo Xiao."

The Dark Blade leader?

The legendary, ruthless, and bloodthirsty boss of Dark Blade?

He looked Captain Huo Xiao up and down several times; wasn't this person too amiable?

His eyes curved when he smiled, and he spoke very politely; he looked like a businessman. Where was there any sign of a decisive killer?

However... this name was somewhat interesting.

Captain Huo Xiao... the 'Xiao' from 'overlord'... he was someone destined for great things...

It was unknown how many times more sophisticated it was than his father's name, "Wang Dashan."

At this moment, Captain Huo Xiao had already walked up to Wang Lin.

He bowed slightly, extended both hands, and lowered his posture significantly.

Wang Lin was a bit stunned by what he saw.

What did this mean?

What kind of leader would extend both hands to a junior?

This clearly placed himself in a subordinate position.

Wang Lin hesitated for a moment, but still extended his hand.

However, he only extended one hand.

One hand against two; the difference in status was immediately established.

Wang Lin felt a bit nervous inside.

The other party was a Level 6 powerhouse, the leader of Dark Blade, and a prominent figure in the camp.

Yet he was just a little rookie who had awakened not long ago.

This scene felt wrong no matter how he looked at it.

What was going on?

Wang Lin was a bit confused by this series of events.

From the gatekeeper calling him "Grandpa Wang" when he entered, to Su Wan being polite to him, to this Level 6 leader extending both hands to him...

Had Dark Blade taken the wrong medicine?

Just as he was about to ask something, Captain Huo Xiao spoke first.

"Young Master Wang, my subordinates were ignorant previously and caused trouble for you and your family."

"It was Dark Blade's fault, and I have felt terrible about it."

"I would like to find a chance to make amends. I wonder if it would be convenient for Young Master Wang... to sit inside for a while?"

Captain Huo Xiao turned slightly, making a gesture of invitation.

Wang Lin glanced at the gate of the Dark Blade camp.

Go inside?

What if the door closed, and they trapped him like a turtle in a jar?

Although he was young, he still had that much common sense.

"There's no need to go inside. If there's something to discuss, we can find a place outside to talk."

He also wanted to know what exactly Dark Blade was up to.

"That's fine, Young Master Wang decides."

"There is a Tea House at the intersection ahead with a decent environment. Shall we go there to talk?"

Wang Lin thought about it and nodded.

The Tea House was a public place with people coming and going; even if Dark Blade were bold, they wouldn't dare make a move there.

"Fine, let's go."

Captain Huo Xiao turned to instruct Su Wan: "You come along too."

Su Wan was stunned for a moment, then nodded and followed.

The three of them walked toward the intersection.

Captain Huo Xiao deliberately slowed his pace by half a beat, always keeping himself half a step behind Wang Lin.

Su Wan followed behind, another half-step behind Captain Huo Xiao.

Wang Lin noticed this detail, but he said nothing, just quietly quickened his pace.

Arriving at the entrance of the Tea House, Captain Huo Xiao took the initiative to open the door and stepped aside to let Wang Lin enter first.

"After you, Young Master Wang."

Wang Lin glanced at him and walked in.

The Tea House wasn't big, and there weren't many people at this hour.

The three found a seat by the window and sat down, and a waiter brought over a tea menu.

Captain Huo Xiao took the menu, glanced at it, and handed it to Wang Lin: "What would you like to drink, Young Master Wang? Order whatever you like."

Wang Lin waved his hand: "Anything is fine, you decide."

Captain Huo Xiao didn't decline; he ordered a pot of Longjing tea and two plates of snacks.

After the waiter left, Captain Huo Xiao finally got to the point.

He took ten Level 3 crystals from his pocket and lined them up one by one on the table.

Each one was round and full, of excellent quality.

Such a generous gesture shocked even Su Wan, who was beside him.

She instinctively glanced at Captain Huo Xiao, but she quickly withdrew her gaze and said nothing.

Captain Huo Xiao arranged the crystals, placed his hands together on the table, and wore a sincere smile on his face:

"It was my people who were wrong before and offended Young Master Wang."

"These... are meant as an apology. I wonder if they are enough?"

"Enough. It's fucking enough."

But Wang Lin didn't reach out to take them.

He withdrew his gaze, leaned back in his chair, and stared at Captain Huo Xiao's face for a good while.

A Level 6 powerhouse, the leader of Dark Blade, bowing and scraping, serving tea with both hands, and staying half a step behind a Level 2 rookie like him...

And now, offering ten Level 3 crystals right off the bat.

If he really believed the words "apology and compensation," then Wang Lin's brain would have grown in vain.

"Commander Huo, with such a generous gesture... is it really for an apology?"

Captain Huo Xiao smiled: "Of course not."

Wang Lin thought to himself, 'As I expected.'

He just knew there must be some other trick to this.

Captain Huo Xiao picked up his teacup and took a gentle sip.

"Actually... I have always wanted to join the Twelve Zodiacs."

Wang Lin was slightly taken aback.

"Ten years ago, I participated in the selection for the Twelve Zodiacs, but unfortunately... I failed."

Captain Huo Xiao's tone carried a hint of regret.

"That is one of the greatest regrets of my life."

"So... I would like to ask Young Master Wang for a favor. Could you talk to your father and see if it's possible to let me join the Twelve Zodiacs?"

"Even if it's just as an outer member, that would be fine."

Wang Lin was stunned for a moment.

His dad?

Wang Dashan?

The "old employee" who did odd jobs for the Twelve Zodiacs?

Ask his dad to help introduce someone into the Twelve Zodiacs?

Wang Lin almost couldn't help but laugh out loud.

If his dad had that kind of ability, would he still be working as a handyman for the Twelve Zodiacs all his life?

He would have been promoted and gotten rich long ago.

But Wang Lin didn't laugh.

Because he suddenly realized one thing: Captain Huo Xiao didn't know the true situation regarding his father.

In Captain Huo Xiao's eyes, Wang Dashan had worked in the Twelve Zodiacs for over twenty years, had deep seniority, and strong connections.

He could even get members of the Twelve Zodiacs to step in and resolve things when Dark Blade people came knocking.

Such a figure, in Captain Huo Xiao's view, must certainly have the ability to arrange for people to get in.

He picked up his teacup, took a slow sip, and showed a perfectly measured expression of difficulty on his face.

"Well, this..." Wang Lin put down the teacup and sighed.

"Commander Huo, you also know that the rules of the Twelve Zodiacs are very strict."

"Although my father has been in the Twelve Zodiacs for over twenty years, this kind of matter... is not something he alone can decide."