Hearing the shout, Leon Huang deliberately put on a look of shock and stared at Ryan Chen. "So you're an inner disciple of the Pristine Way Sect? My apologies, truly!"
Ryan Chen nodded reservedly. "Brother Huang, you're too polite. Sorry to disturb you so late—please don't take it amiss."
Leon Huang grinned. "You're an inner disciple—how could I blame you? By the way, what brings an inner disciple to see me tonight?"
Though Leon's words sounded polite, Ryan Chen's brows furrowed slightly—Leon was deliberately emphasizing "inner disciple" each time. Ryan had always taken pride in his status, but for some reason, tonight it felt a bit uncomfortable.
"Brother Huang, I've come tonight simply to play mediator. As long as you hand over Nate Moore, you and my cousin can settle your differences peacefully. What do you think?"
Leon Huang laughed and drained his teacup. "Normally, when an inner disciple asks, I ought to give him face. But Nate Moore is my sworn brother—if I handed him over, I'd be a laughingstock. You're an inner disciple, with high awareness and good judgment. Surely you understand my predicament, right?"
Bang!
Victor Wu slammed his palm on the table, glaring at Leon Huang. "Huang brat, my cousin is speaking nicely to you—don’t be so ungrateful!"
"Brother Huang, Nate Moore is just a lowly pharmacy apprentice—no need to go this far for him. Hand him over, and I'll consider you a friend. Tomorrow, during the entrance assessment, I'll look out for you!" Ryan Chen's eyes flashed coldly; Leon's constant "inner disciple" label was really starting to irritate him.
One played good cop, the other played bad cop.
Not only that, but they were even using the Pristine Way Sect's entrance assessment to tempt him. It had to be said—Ryan Chen was pretty cunning.
But Leon Huang was no longer the wastrel he used to be. Such petty schemes couldn't trouble him at all.
He smiled. "I can't agree with the inner disciple on this. Nate Moore may have been a pharmacy apprentice before, but heroes aren't judged by their origins. Now he's my sworn brother, and I won't betray him for profit."
Ryan Chen took a deep breath, finding "inner disciple" more and more grating. "Brother Huang, just call me Ryan or Brother Chen. But let me give you a word of advice: those who accomplish great things don't get bogged down by minor details."
Leon Huang glanced playfully at Victor Wu. "So what the inner disciple means is, if someone offered you enough benefits one day, you'd be willing to sell out your cousin too?"
Victor Wu knew Leon Huang was trying to stir things up, but he couldn't help glancing at Ryan Chen anyway.
A surge of anger welled up in Ryan Chen's heart. He replied coldly, "That's not something you can generalize!"
"Alright, inner disciple, you may leave now. It's late, and I want to rest!" Leon Huang set down his teacup and headed upstairs.
"Stop right there!"
Victor Wu shouted angrily.