Compared to before, Ning Baihe had arrived happily this time, yet left in a hurry. The relationship between the two sides had clearly begun to deteriorate.
Even though Ning Baihe valued and admired Meng Zhao greatly, their positions determined their attitudes. In the end, they were not traveling the same road.
Only after Ning Baihe left did Yan Congke ask in confusion,
"Zheng Ge'er, why didn't you agree to such a fine opportunity? The Hong Sect is a top-tier force in Hebei Province. Once you miss this village, there won't be another inn."
He knew perfectly well whose man he was, so he had not said this while Ning Baihe was still in the room. Otherwise, Meng Zhao would never have spared him.
"Hmph. Cao Quan'an is nothing more than old and failing, unable to do what his heart desires. This time, he failed to capture Ren Tianxing, so he will have to guard against Ren Tianxing's revenge in the future.
"Besides, he has a worthless son. Last time, Ren Tianxing merely captured him without harming him—but who knows whether a Ren Tianxing truly enraged next time will let him go!
"But if they pull me into the Hong Sect, elevate me within a short time to Ren Tianxing's former position, then secretly spread word that I was responsible for Cao Baoyu's rescue today, I will naturally become Ren Tianxing's target for vengeance.
"As for that so-called power and status, they are not indispensable to me."
Had Meng Zhao never possessed such power and status before, he might have been tempted. After all, any hot-blooded man seemed naturally to yearn for such things. But Meng Zhao had lived two lives. What he did, what he thought, differed vastly from an ordinary greenhorn like Little White.
Yan Congke shook his head