Fu Chaosheng's smile broadened as he studied Luo Chen. "Fellow Daoist Luo, you won't hold it against me if I ask you to return the favor, will you?"

Luo Chen returned an awkward smile. Han Zhan had long suspected that Fu Chaosheng expected something in return for all the goodwill he had shown, but Luo Chen had not expected him to broach the subject so openly. For a merchant, Fu Chaosheng seemed remarkably uninterested in bargaining once the opportunity presented itself. 

Since the man had chosen to be so direct, however, Luo Chen could hardly refuse without first hearing him out. "Of course. Why would you even ask? Just tell me what you need. If it's something I can do, I'll help however I can."

Fu Chaosheng cursed inwardly. If it's something you can do? What a safe choice of words! 

He had already learned from their brief encounter years ago that Luo Chen was not a simple man, gullible and ignorant of worldly affairs. His knowledge might have its limits, but when it came to dealing with people, he was every bit as savvy as the seasoned...