Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Nearly everyone invited had arrived, and the elder host took the stage.

The venue swiftly fell into silence.

Host elder: "Distinguished guests, today we gather not only to reunite with friends and colleagues but also to engage in a charitable cause for the common folk."

"The old headmaster, Li Leifeng, was still concerned about the issue of succession before his passing."

"Now, we have found the most appropriate solution."

"Lord Zhu Hou, who hails from the Southern Bean Royal Family and is known for his benevolence and magnanimity, will succeed as the headmaster of the Ciyou Garden."

"Let us invite Lord Zhu to the stage to deliver a speech."

A portly middle-aged man with a smile on his face walked up to the stage.

Today, Zhu Hou wore a long robe of green satin, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, his steps steady. In his every move, he exuded the dignity of the Zhu Family royal lineage.

Standing on the stage, he cupped his hands in a salute, scanned the audience, and let out a hearty laugh.

"Fellow daoists, today Zhu takes over the position of headmaster of Ciyou Garden with great trepidation."

"The path of charity is to bring benefits to the masses and spread kindness and virtue. The benevolence of the former headmaster, Li Leifeng, deeply impressed me. Today, I shall carry on his will and further promote this virtuous cause."

...

"In the future, our garden will extend its aid not only to orphans but also to impoverished scholars. Every donation from you kind-hearted people will be used entirely for saving lives and aiding the masses. To show my sincerity, I personally pledge to donate one hundred thousand spirit stones!"

...

Zhu Hou organized this succession ceremony with a definite intention.

The primary goal was to make an official appearance and raise the first funds since taking office.

Just as he finished speaking, from the third floor came the voice of Zhu Xuanji: "Good! Lord Zhu Hou's words are excellent. I, Zhu Xuanji, also donate one hundred thousand spirit stones to congratulate you on your new position."

Zhu Xuanji came here precisely to support and endorse Zhu Hou. At this moment, he naturally stepped forward.

The amount he donated was intriguing, exactly one hundred thousand, the same as Zhu Hou.

This made the others feel relieved and eager to join the donations without feeling pressured.

However, these people knew the etiquette and did not immediately speak out.

They were waiting for another person.

In the next moment, the Golden Core True Transmission of the Purple Dawn Pavilion indeed announced a donation of one hundred thousand spirit stones.

As soon as he finished speaking, Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately started to shout their donations, one after another, filling the venue with calls of pledges.

The atmosphere in the building became incredibly lively.

Yet the mood inside the private box was oppressive.

Ning Zhuo sat below Zhu Xuanji; since he took his seat, he hadn't said a word and hadn't touched the exquisite spirit food and tea on the round table.

Zhu Xuanji slightly turned his head and stared at Ning Zhuo with eyes gleaming with golden light, smiling: "Seeing the current scene, Ning Zhuo, what do you feel?"

Ning Zhuo raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Xuanji. To Ning Zhuo, Zhu Xuanji's smile seemed like a beast's open bloody maw.

Ning Zhuo felt as if a huge stone was weighing on his heart, but his gaze did not falter.

He calmly replied: "I naturally hope that Lord Zhu Hou can stay true to his words. I hope the Ciyou Garden in Fire Persimmon Immortal City will do better and better."

"It will," Zhu Xuanji immediately responded, full of confidence in Zhu Hou.

His smile deepened: "I saw your name in the donation records of Ciyou Garden."

"You have donated several sums to Ciyou Garden in the past."

"Why not donate something today on this important occasion?"

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath.

He tried to stay calm, but the pressure in his heart intensified!

Because he knew very well, Zhu Xuanji's seemingly casual question hid a massive threat. Any slight misstep, and he could fall into the other's trap.

This was it. The confrontation between him and Zhu Xuanji had officially begun!

The external bustle had nothing to do with him.

The clamor outside only highlighted his current loneliness and suffering.

Zhu Xuanji was like a brilliant assassin, sending out a sword move. On the surface, it seemed ordinary, but Ning Zhuo was certain that intricate follow-ups were bound to come. A single slip and he would lose step by step, possibly being suppressed until he would no longer have a chance to win!

Ning Zhuo's brows furrowed, his thoughts racing like lightning, quickly choosing his words carefully: "One does his best to help. Though practical, I am idealistic."

"Moreover, in my childhood, I was also taken care of by Lord Li Leifeng; he was kind to me."

Then, Ning Zhuo's tone shifted: "Of course, I have selfish motives."

"You know, I want to establish my own family."

"I want to build my own family clan!"

"I've already been working on it, but for a faction to grow, fresh blood and external talent are necessary."

"Especially for someone like me, starting from scratch, with such shallow foundations, the more newcomers the better!"

"That's why I've been donating."

"And these donations will only increase in the future!"

Ning Zhuo smiled, then immediately turned expressionless: "The policy of Ciyou Garden is excellent. How many talents has it gathered for the righteous forces of the Southern Bean Country?"

"I belong to the Ning Family and the righteous path, so of course, I want a piece of the pie."

"Look, Lord Zhu Hou, I've paid my dues, and it's within the rules."

"As for why I didn't donate today? Heh!"

"Today isn't appropriate. I manage the black market now, my righteous identity isn't so spotless. I won't tarnish the mood here."

"If I want to donate, I can do it secretly in the future; I can still achieve my goals without doing something so disagreeable."

After hearing Ning Zhuo's response, Zhu Xuanji fell into a brief silence.

He knew that Ning Zhuo wished to establish his own faction.

Ning Zhuo had even confronted Ning Jiufan about this matter right in front of him!

Even Zhu Xuanji thought this youth had nerve. Being in the Qi Refinement Realm, he dared to talk to the Golden Core Ancestor of his family in such a manner.

Zhu Xuanji appreciated Ning Zhuo.

To be precise, his appreciation was considerable.

Listening to Ning Zhuo's response, he saw more about the boy—this young man had undoubtedly gained experience! He clearly understood the rules of the righteous path, and despite his youth, he was cunning like an old fox. He had a very clear goal and cared deeply about others' feelings, showing empathy.

Ning Zhuo was both hypocritical and sincere.

This kind of righteous path hypocrisy, in him, seemed almost endearing.

Ning Zhuo's response was excellent.

This competent reply greatly enhanced Zhu Xuanji's favorable impression of him.

Zhu Xuanji laughed heartily, breaking the silence: "Even if one has selfish motives, as long as one pays kindness, that is righteousness. Who in this world is without selfishness?"

"Even I, constantly attending to the people's sentiments, investigating cases, and pursuing criminals, do much of it to protect the royal family."

"Ning Zhuo, your nature is not bad. Walk the righteous path, and your future is vast. However, in life, there are countless divergences. I've seen many who were inherently kind but once strayed, created crimes, and regretted it too late."

As he said this, Zhu Xuanji stared at Ning Zhuo, his face solemn.

Though he did not use any mana, his tone and demeanor exuded immense pressure.

Ning Zhuo took a deep breath, his gaze avoiding Zhu Xuanji, a flash of lightning crossing his mind.

He swiftly recognized Zhu Xuanji's intention: "He is trying to win me over?"

Realizing this, Ning Zhuo's heart became more animated.
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"If Zhu Xuanji had identified me as the culprit, he certainly wouldn't treat me this way but would directly capture me!"

"Judging by his temperament, he must suspect me based on certain clues and wants to use me to catch the real mastermind!"

But there was no mastermind.

Ning Zhuo was the one who bombed the Immortal Palace, set up the trial barriers, waged war in the city and killed Qi Bai, framed his own family genius Ning Xiaohui, orchestrated the Golden Core battle, bombarded the volcano leading to the Demon Beast Tide attacking the city, and planned the Cloud Merchant theft case!

"In Zhu Xuanji's mind, I hold significant value. He wants to win me over. If there were a mastermind, he might even want me to act as a witness."

"So, it's already the third line of defense?"

Ning Zhuo's emotions were in tumult.

To compete for the Magma Fairy Palace, he had meticulously laid out several lines of defense.

The first line of defense began when he was two years old, constantly crafting various pieces of evidence scattered throughout his growth.

Those investigating up to this point would assume Ning Zhuo had mechanical talent, believing it reasonable that he had developed mechanisms like the Explosive Flame Monkey.

The second line of defense was his identity as the Youthful Guest.

The third line suggested Ning Zhuo was being used, a participant but not the mastermind. After all, this young sixteen-year-old had just come out of school and was only at the middle layer of Qi Refining.

Ning Zhuo felt a slight relief; things had not deteriorated to the final step—fighting Zhu Xuanji head-on.

"But what clues did Zhu Xuanji get to bypass the second line and reach the third?"

Ning Zhuo couldn't figure out the answer to this question.

He could only speculate: "Did Han Ming get captured? Did Sun Lingtong's theft lead the Cloud Merchant to provide a clue?"

"Or... Ciyou Garden?"

Lacking critical information, even with his intelligence, Ning Zhuo couldn't determine the truth.

He thought intensely, his forehead breaking out in sweat.

Seeing Ning Zhuo's disheveled state, Zhu Xuanji did not let up and pressed on: "What do you think about my earlier statement, Ning Zhuo?"

"Do you believe your path is the righteous one or a misguided one?"

Ning Zhuo felt immense pressure!

At this moment, he felt as if Zhu Xuanji had thrust a sword to his throat.

How should he respond?

This was crucial!

Probing?

A slight misstep could provoke Zhu Xuanji.

Remain silent?

This would completely give up the initiative and signal implicit consent to Zhu Xuanji.

In Ning Zhuo's mind, countless thoughts erupted and disappeared rapidly.

In just a few breaths, he felt parched.