Zhang Xiaohua naturally would not say so outright. He only said, "Then forget it. It's not like there was anything valuable anyway; I was merely used to using it before."
"Don't, little uncle-in-law. How could I possibly turn a deaf ear to your instructions? Just look around—those lads are all watching you. If you so much as say the word, they'll run far faster than I can."
Zhang Xiaohua smiled. Indeed, the other eight children around ten years old who had come to the Incense-Passing Cult with him were all clever sorts. Though they had not known who Zhang Xiaohua was before, when they had bid farewell at Hui Chun Valley, he had been so intimate with their young lady. There was no need to say more—he had to be an important figure in Hui Chun Valley. Someone like that would surely receive special attention upon arriving at the Incense-Passing Cult. Since they had come with him, if they did not draw close to him and gather around this new batch of Hui Chun Valley medicine boys with him at their center, how could they hope for any benefits later?
Thus, throughout the journey, these boys had racked their brains for ways to approach Zhang Xiaohua. Unfortunately, Zhang Xiaohua was either riding on Four Unlike's back or hiding inside the carriage with his eyes closed, practicing his cultivation. He had never given them so much as a friendly look. And since these children did not understand Zhang Xiaohua's temperament, none had dared approach him rashly.
Zhang Xiaohua glanced at the pairs of eyes stealing looks his way and paid them no mind. He went straight to find Steward Yang. Seeing Zhang Xiaohua so casually seek out the steward in their hearts, the children became even more convinced that they absolutely