Song Jin Jian left decisively. Though it was somewhat beyond Chen Yi's expectations, it was still only natural.
Unlike Liu Hong, he held no official post and was thus unrestrained.
His Martial Path cultivation base was not weak, allowing him to come and go freely.
Added to that was his identity—a Guest Official of the Qinghe Cui Family.
That status was neither particularly high nor particularly low; it depended entirely on whether others held the Qinghe Cui Family in respect.
To put it plainly.
Song Jin Jian was the chess piece the Cui Family had currently placed in the open.
If he botched things in Shuzhou, the Qinghe Cui Family could immediately wash its hands of all involvement.
Unless there was solid evidence, anyone wishing to move against the Cui Family would first have to get past Cui Mao.
Only after Chen Yi understood this obstacle did his thoughts turn toward Xiao Jinghong.
No matter what, he could not let the Cui Family have its way.
Shui Hetong glanced at him, knowing that he was pondering something. After some thought, he asked,
"Song Jin Jian is difficult to deal with?"
Though it was phrased as a question, his tone carried several parts certainty.
Chen Yi came back to himself and nodded with a smile. "He truly is difficult to deal with."
"His Dao of Steps has reached Great Accomplishment. He can advance to attack and retreat to defend; we have no choice but to guard against him."
He turned his head toward Pei Yonglin, who was slung over Liu Lang's shoulder, and after some thought, asked, "Patriarch Pei, is Song Jin Jian a man of the Jizhou Trading Company?"
Pei Yonglin looked at him in silence.
Chen Yi paid it no mind and continued, "He often goes in and out