Chapter 332: Three Letters, Local Tyrant
Very clearly, this timing was carefully chosen by Song Fuli.
Seeing that the banquet was about to end and guests would gradually leave, in such a situation, blocking the door would inevitably cause an extremely embarrassing scene.
The attendant, noticing Song Fuli’s actions, broke out in cold sweat and turned pale upon realizing what was happening.
He tried to muster up some courage to continue negotiating, but Song Fuli merely glared at him briefly, and the attendant immediately felt as if he had fallen into an icy abyss, unable to move.
Another attendant, witnessing this, hurriedly turned around and rushed into the banquet hall, stumbling along the way.
Around the main table, cultivators gathered continuously.
Ning Zhuo was always surrounded by people. As the patriarch of the Ning family’s branch family, he had to keep smiling throughout, accepting others' toasts while solidifying relationships and confirming his status.
Ning Zhuo showed no signs of impatience and was, in fact, enjoying it.
The attendant finally pushed through the crowd and squeezed in, reporting to Ning Zhuo through transmission.
Ning Zhuo smiled faintly and said aloud, "It’s just Song Fuli, what’s there to fear? Ignore him, I’ve already made arrangements."
Seeing Ning Zhuo’s extraordinary confidence, the attendant could only withdraw with some doubt.
Those around him who heard Ning Zhuo’s words exchanged glances, becoming visibly nervous.
Ning Zhuo remained indifferent, continuing to chat and laugh with the people around him. Initially, everyone was tense, their smiles stiff. Gradually, they relaxed a bit.
No matter what, just Ning Zhuo’s composure, unmoved even in the face of disaster, impressed many people instantly.
Song Fuli stood at the entrance, expressionless. He folded his arms across his chest, like a stone statue, emitting an aura that warned strangers to stay away.
Suddenly, a letter flew in, hovering before him.
Song Fuli swept it with his spiritual sense and read the letter’s contents, realizing it was from Ning Jiufan.
He knew that the Golden Core ancestor of the Ning family was powerful. However, having already taken this action, he had anticipated facing Ning Jiufan’s challenge.
Song Fuli put away the letter, still blocking the door, clearly showing no respect for Ning Jiufan.
Almost immediately after, another flying letter arrived beside him.
This time, the letter was from Fei Si at the City Lord’s Mansion.
The contents were similar to Ning Jiufan’s, as Fei Si urged Song Fuli to stop, warning him not to disturb the order.
Song Fuli’s expression turned cold, "The City Lord’s Mansion actually supports Ning Zhuo this much?"
Song Fuli hesitated for a moment.
In the next instant, a third flying letter arrived before him.
This letter bore the mark of the Southern Dou Royal Family. Song Fuli took the letter and scanned it with his spiritual sense. Sure enough, it was from Zhu Xuanji.
Zhu Xuanji’s message was similar to the previous two letters.
However, the wording was more tactful yet domineering. In the letter, Zhu Xuanji kindly advised Song Fuli not to act rashly, urging him to consider the relationship between the two countries, the future of the Cloud Whale Caravan, and to remain calm.
The most critical point was that even if Ning Zhuo possessed the Rudie Maiden, it was merely his war trophy!
Such blatant favoritism angered Song Fuli.
But he quickly suppressed his anger, instinctively glancing up at the plaque above the door.
The plaque had been newly hung.
His feelings toward it had completely changed.
The three consecutive letters thoroughly proved that Ning Zhuo’s branch family had firmly established its foothold.
Besides Ning Jiufan from the main family, both the City Lord’s Mansion and the Zhu royal family recognized them.
Why continue looking for trouble?
If he kept being “obstinate,” he would be the one to suffer!
Even if this was just a newly formed power, it had already become the local overlord of Huoshi Immortal City.
Even a mighty dragon couldn’t suppress a local snake!
Song Fuli snorted coldly and left, flicking his sleeves.
The attendant, drenched in sweat, collapsed onto the ground, watching Song Fuli’s departing figure with lingering fear, "He finally left!"
The attendant who had reported back suddenly turned around, looking toward the banquet hall.
His eyes shone brightly, his heart brimming with excitement, "The patriarch’s methods are truly astounding! He didn’t even need to show up, yet he managed to resolve the issue with a Golden Core cultivator like Song Fuli! This is just too impressive!"
With the Lava Immortal Palace situation settled and the beast tide completely dispersed, the Flying Cloud Caravan now seemed redundant, especially with that enormous Cloud Whale hovering in the sky, which was an eyesore!
Song Fuli, having made a fool of himself in front of Ning Zhuo’s branch family, also realized this.
"Hmph, such hypocritical righteousness!"
He went to the City Lord’s Mansion to meet with Fei Si, directly stating that he and the caravan would leave the city soon, heading to the next immortal city.
Fei Si, while expressing reluctance, confirmed the exact departure date for Song Fuli and his group. When he heard it would be the day after tomorrow, his smile and expression of reluctance deepened even more.
With no more troublemakers blocking the door, Ning Zhuo’s banquet concluded smoothly.
Many guests returned home and spread news about the grand occasion of Ning Zhuo’s branch family ceremony, as well as the numerous gifts received during the banquet.
The news spread widely, and soon, these reports circulated throughout the city, reshaping public opinion and further solidifying the branch family’s reputation.
Ning Jiufan and Zhu Xuanji were engaged in a secret discussion.
"Song Fuli has retreated," Zhu Xuanji received the latest intelligence, his face emotionless.
Ning Jiufan sneered, "At least he knows when to back down."
Zhu Xuanji shook his head slightly, "He’s a merchant from the Cloud Caravan, traveling far and wide, naturally adaptable. His decision to block the door was simply because he thought Ning Zhuo was weak and easy to bully. In reality, he’s the outsider who didn’t know the full story. After recognizing the situation, he retreated of his own accord. I’m not surprised at all."
As he spoke, Zhu Xuanji glanced at Ning Jiufan, genuinely admiring, "Your Ning family has produced a real talent."
Ning Jiufan stroked his beard with a smile.
Ning Zhuo, though a low-level cultivator, had used the power of three factions to directly force back a Golden Core cultivator like Song Fuli.
From this, it was clear that Ning Zhuo’s political skills were quite advanced. His ability to manage the affairs of the family as a patriarch was more than sufficient.
In fact, after hearing about the three-party agreement at the Lava Immortal Palace, Ning Jiufan had already recognized Ning Zhuo’s talents. This was simply a confirmation.
The two continued their secret discussion and finally reached an agreement, sealing an alliance.
Zhu Xuanji immediately handed over a jade slip and a magic treasure to Ning Jiufan.
Ning Jiufan used his spiritual sense to scan the contents of the jade slip and nodded in satisfaction.
The jade slip contained techniques for controlling beasts, while the magic treasure could emit great official might. Combined, they would help Ning Jiufan control the Nascent Soul Demon Ape!
Watching Ning Jiufan examine the jade slip, Zhu Xuanji confirmed in his heart, "In this battle for the Lava Immortal Palace, the Ning family is the biggest winner!"
"Not to mention Ning Zhuo, even just Ning Jiufan’s gains are incredible!"
"The Nascent Soul Demon Ape he saved will become the trump card for the Ning family once controlled."
Of course, to a certain extent, this would allow the Ning family to rival the Meng family.
With the Ning family in control of a Nascent Soul-level demon beast, they had become the most powerful cultivation family in Huoshi Immortal City.
Moreover, with the Ning family splitting into branches, over time, the branch and main family members would multiply, and their influence would inevitably become the largest.
The strongest in combat power, and the largest in influence!
The Southern Dou Royal Family’s strong support for the Ning family was clearly part of the ongoing power struggle between the royal family’s main branch and the powerful Meng family.
If Meng Chong succeeded and Meng Kui became the City Lord, it would be legitimate in name. But the truth was, Meng Kui’s position as City Lord was directly handed over by the Ning family cultivators. According to the recruitment decree, this had not been assigned by the royal family and was not entirely legitimate, creating room for dispute.
"No problems." After inspecting the contents of the jade slip, Ning Jiufan showed a satisfied expression.
"For further cooperation, you may contact Uncle Zhu Hou," Zhu Xuanji said.
Ning Jiufan nodded slightly and they parted ways.
As Zhu Xuanji watched him leave, he sighed, turning his gaze toward Ning Zhuo’s branch family.
Although he didn’t want to deal with Ning Zhuo, he had no choice but to.
"I’ll have to pay a visit eventually." Zhu Xuanji could only steel himself and secretly meet Ning Zhuo.
In the patriarch’s study, Ning Zhuo was full of smiles and enthusiasm, "Detective Zhu, you’ve finally come. I’ve been waiting day and night."
Zhu Xuanji extended his hand, with a look of disinterest, "Stay back, don’t come any closer. Just say what you need to from over there."
He continued,
"I need to correct two points."
"First, you are no longer just a junior; you are the patriarch of the branch family. Don’t disgrace yourself."
"Second, what you were eagerly waiting for wasn’t me, but the official position from the Southern Dou Kingdom. Just yesterday, I received an edict from the King, and there will be compensation for you, but no official position."
Ning Zhuo’s face changed instantly, and he shouted, "That’s unfair! The recruitment decree clearly stated…"
"Enough. Don’t think that you can easily deceive the Zhu royal family, Patriarch Ning," Zhu Xuanji interrupted. "You are well aware that your transfer of the Palace Master position to Meng Kui was an under-the-table deal, not approved by the royal family."
"That is a violation."
Ning Zhuo immediately retorted, "Detective Zhu, that’s not right. You were present at the time. If I hadn’t transferred the Palace Master position to Meng Kui and let his Nascent Soul strength take action, tell me, how could either of us have suppressed the entire beast tide?"
Zhu Xuanji responded, "With my four divine abilities, I could fight a Nascent Soul. Patriarch Ning, your true combat strength is no different from mine, so how could you not resist the Scarlet Flame Beast Tide?"
Ning Zhuo quickly said, "How could that be? My cultivation is weak, how could I possibly compare with you, sir? Please, Detective Zhu, show mercy and don’t overpraise me."
"At that time, I was acting for the family and the safety of the city’s citizens. That’s why I handed over the position of Palace Master to Lord Meng Kui."
"Lord Meng Kui is the current City Lord of Huoshi Immortal City. Compared to us, giving it to him is clearly more appropriate, isn’t it?"
"Hehehe." Zhu Xuanji laughed in anger, "Ning Zhuo, you had already calculated everything. You handed the Palace Master position to the Meng family to play both sides, knowing that the Zhu family wanted to deal with the Meng family. In that scenario, your Ning family became the best partner."
"You succeeded!"
"Your family’s Golden Core ancestor, Ning Jiufan, has already been secretly granted an official position by our royal family. Along with a gift of a magic treasure that can control that Nascent Soul demon ape."
"The royal family won’t offer you any compensation, but it will reward you for meeting the ‘entrance standards.’"
When he said the words "entrance standards," Zhu Xuanji couldn’t help but emphasize his tone.
(End of Chapter)