Master, why didn't you say so earlier?
Li Cunxiao grumbled inwardly, but since he had already made up his mind, he would not blow hot and cold.
"Master, since joining your school, I haven't made any contribution to the escort agency."
"Today, too, it was only because Master stood up for me that I obtained such a skin-tempering secret medicine as Water-Fire Paste, not to mention the Heavenly Steed."
"Senior Brother has guarded the estate year-round, so he has not enjoyed even a bit of Chu Hill's prosperity."
"Speaking of merit, Senior Brother has labored long and hard; speaking of responsibility, the estate granaries are of utmost importance."
"The stronger Senior Brother is, the safer the estate will be, and the more secure the escort agency will be."
"Both Senior Brother and I are part of the escort agency. So long as it benefits the agency, I benefit from it as well. Why distinguish between you and me?"
"By both sentiment and reason, this disciple cannot accept any further reward."
He had considered those words carefully.
Everything Li Cunxiao had gained so far came from Zhang Lishi's favor. As the saying went, calamity would surely follow virtue unequal to one's position.
He had barely done anything, yet all the benefits had fallen into his hands. It would be hard to convince anyone.
Shi Tie had been in the escort agency for many years and was practically an inheritor of the mantle, its designated successor.
If Li Cunxiao accepted the Cloud-Treading Boots, Shi Tie might be broad-minded enough not to mind, but someone among his followers would surely be dissatisfied.
Take Senior Brother Feng Sheng, for instance. He had always considered himself Shi Tie's vanguard, and his temperament was explosive. There was an eighty-percent chance he would come looking for trouble.