Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1470: Chapter 600: Qiyuan Cloud Nest

"Tie Kuang’s envoy?" Upon hearing this, Ning Zhuo gently rubbed the rim of his teacup with his fingertips, his gaze slightly shifting.

Mu Yuehua tactfully stood up: "Since the young master has urgent matters, I shall not disturb you."

Ning Zhuo raised his head, standing up to see her off: "I have noted today’s conversation. Fellow Daoist Mu’s request will be handled according to the rules by Nanming Village."

Mu Yuehua nodded slightly, the hem of her moon-white dress sweeping past the threshold, like a sliver of cold light fading from Ning Zhuo’s sight.

Ning Zhuo instructed Gongsun Yan to see the guest off.

Meanwhile, Ning Zhuo paced within his study, contemplating the purpose behind Tie Kuang sending an envoy.

The room was filled with faint tea smoke, a thin line of flickering lamplight casting his shadow long and delicate.

Before long, the envoy entered.

This was a steward from the Artifact Refining Hall. Around forty years old, his face was serene, and though his robes were not luxurious, they were tailored with extreme neatness, with the sleeve cuffs embroidered with a Black Iron Furnace Pattern. The furnace pattern did not shine with golden light, yet it had a profound sense, as if an iron seal weighed upon the garment.

He stepped into the study, refraining from speaking immediately, first offering Ning Zhuo a solemn bow.

His manners were meticulous and precise.

"I am under the orders of the Hall Master, here to see Young Master Ning." The envoy was at Golden Core Level, yet in front of Ning Zhuo, who was at Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, he referred to himself with humility.

Ning Zhuo understood that this was due to his battle with the Flowing Gold Guest, from which it was established that he possessed Golden Core Combat Power.

This ensured that Golden Core Level cultivators genuinely treated Ning Zhuo as an equal.

Ning Zhuo returned the courtesy, inviting him to sit.

The envoy did not immediately sit down but first retrieved a Black Iron Token from his sleeve, offered with both hands, placing it on the table.

The token’s front was inscribed with "Artifact Refining Hall" while the back featured a fire furnace. The furnace pattern was primitively rugged and lacked the polish of jewels and jade, yet it felt like a massive iron pressing on the table, giving the study an aura of gravitas.

This was the Artifact Refining Hall Master’s hand command.

Tie Kuang had not arrived, but Tie Kuang’s presence was already felt.

Tie Kuang was one of the Hall Masters of the Sixteen Halls of the Myriad Images Sect. In terms of position and status, he was on par with Zhong Dao of the Evil Slaying Hall, far above ordinary Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Though Ning Zhuo had founded Nanming Village today with great fanfare, his authority within the sect could not truly compare to such figures.

The envoy sat down, his posture upright.

He spoke: "The Hall Master has instructed me to convey to you. The Nanming Fire Furnace still has the final two-tenths of damage. If the young master is willing, the Hall Master is prepared to take a step back and no longer pursue the prior matter of claiming two-tenths of the Nanming Fire Furnace."

Ning Zhuo’s expression remained unchanged.

The envoy continued: "The Hall Master is willing to personally oversee the repairs. The personnel, earth fire, furnace chamber, and treasure materials from the Artifact Refining Hall can all be mobilized. As for the costs required for the final two-tenths, whether in spirit stones, firewood, array materials, or furnace wall reinforcements, the Hall Master is willing to bear them fully."

The study fell silent for a moment.

The final two-tenths of damage to the Nanming Fire Furnace constituted the heaviest burden on Nanming Village at present. Tie Kuang’s willingness to bear the expense alone would make most people’s hearts stir immediately.

Yet Ning Zhuo merely looked down at his tea.

The tea moved slightly, reflecting a glint of lamplight.

Tie Kuang’s offer seemed a retreat but was actually a strategic advance.

Though he dismissed any claim over the two-tenths, he proposed to solely undertake its repair. Should this happen, a significant part of the credit for the complete restoration of the Nanming Fire Furnace would fall under Tie Kuang’s name.

At that point, Tie Kuang would not merely be a typical creditor but the greatest contributor to the Nanming Fire Furnace restoration.

He would also be Ning Zhuo’s greatest creditor.

This was not assistance.

This was another method to dominate Nanming Village!

Ning Zhuo recalled when, after the fire furnace’s initial trial, Tie Kuang sought him for negotiation. At that time, Tie Kuang was the first to perceive his weakness, like a predator scenting blood, immediately pouncing to bite. This person seemed rough yet had considerable political acumen. To be appointed as the Artifact Refining Hall Master, he couldn’t just be a brute who hammers iron.

Moreover, Tie Kuang had previously threatened with the matter of secret agreements he held.

During that encounter, Tie Kuang’s words were filled with implicit threats.

Ning Zhuo’s impression of Tie Kuang was never as a "crude man."

Today, Chun Yangzi, the Nine Fire Dragon Lord, and the Red Robe Guest contended for influence, causing internal checks and balances within Nanming Village. If Tie Kuang wielding the strength of the Artifact Refining Hall were to suppress everyone else, Ning Zhuo’s influence in Nanming Village would be significantly diminished.

How could Ning Zhuo easily give in?

He slowly put down his teacup, saying: "I appreciate Iron Hall Master’s kind intentions."

The envoy listened intently, his expression entirely serious.

Ning Zhuo said: "However, at the founding of Nanming Village’s alliance, all creditors were present, and rules were established. The matter of the furnace’s restoration pertains to the foundation of Nanming Village and involves everyone’s credit claims; it cannot be handled solely by one party."

"If Iron Hall Master is willing to assist, Ning Zhuo naturally welcomes it. But if the last two-tenths are to be solely handled by the Artifact Refining Hall, I’m afraid it won’t be permitted by Nanming Village, nor can I claim the right to decide this at present."

Ning Zhuo spoke gently, with extreme respect in his wording.

Yet his refusal was unmistakably clear.

A rather clever move was that Ning Zhuo brought forth all cultivators behind Nanming Village, the weight of five Nascent Soul Level individuals, and multiple Golden Core powerhouses was substantial!

He himself did not explicitly refuse, considerably easing the tension between him and Tie Kuang.

The envoy was not surprised.

He nodded slightly, saying: "The Hall Master mentioned before I left that you were likely to refuse."

Ning Zhuo’s eyebrow twitched slightly.

The envoy stated: "The Hall Master said through establishing the alliance today, setting seats by debt and regulating cultivators by rules, you appear young but deeply understand the Righteous Path’s tactics. Such a person would never easily hand over the last two-tenths of the Nanming Fire Furnace to the Artifact Refining Hall."

He paused, his tone gaining a hint of admiration.

"The Hall Master also said he underestimated you previously."

Ning Zhuo did not respond, his heart feeling slightly heavier.

Since Tie Kuang had seen through this point, yet still sent an envoy, it clearly indicated there was more to be discussed.

Indeed, the envoy extracted a Red Patterned Jade Scroll from his sleeve.

The scroll was vivid red, with a thread of golden-red light slowly swirling inside, resembling a young bird nestled tightly.