A broker was someone who connected people.
No matter what kind of business it was, it passed through his hands. He brought employers and service staff together—one paid, the other completed the task. That was why brokers were indispensable figures in any field.
Besides, brokers earned from both ends. Employers and service staff alike had to pay the broker a service fee. That was how they made their living, so naturally, they handled many dealings. This was also why brokers had endured since ancient times—nothing more than profit.
Of course, did brokers have friends? Did they really care only about profit and not loyalty? No. In fact, many brokers valued loyalty. A good broker would always have a few regular friends. People, in general, could never completely do without personal ties. As they interacted and came to understand each other, some affection and loyalty would naturally develop.
Although such loyalty was more often driven by interests, that did not make it a bad thing.
Datuk Lin and this broker went from strangers to friends. The process began when Datuk Lin had just emerged into the world, and the broker discovered his abilities and sincerely helped him several times.
At the time, Datuk Lin had only just entered society. Though he had mastered the art of gu insects, he knew little about worldly matters. If he wanted to make money, he naturally needed someone to guide him.
That broker became his guide. Of course, although Datuk Lin was inexperienced, he was an expert in poison. If the broker had truly treated him like a gullible fool and cheated him, things might have been fine at first—but what about later? He would have had to endure a Sorcerer's revenge, and that was not something that could be brushed aside easily.
So this