Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1489: Chapter 610: Deliberation_2

Although the Nine Fire Dragon Lord did not take the prime seat, his investment was considerable. He even put in his father’s relic, so among the people present, he was the most eager to repair the Nanming Fire Furnace.

"The Dragon Lord’s words are mature and prudent!" Ning Zhuo glanced at the others once more, asking if there were differing opinions.

Everyone spoke their mind, and the Council Hall gradually became noisy.

Some advocated sending a letter first, using the name of the Righteous Path to hold accountability.

Some advocated for an immediate challenge, aiming to defeat the forces behind the Flowing Gold Guest one by one, to solidify their reputation completely.

Some proposed investigating the earth veins, checking the undercurrents and resources, and not acting rashly. Once everything was clearer, they could retaliate justifiably and seize the territory.

Others focused solely on the Nanming Fire Furnace, believing any assault without the furnace restored was futile.

Ning Zhuo sat quietly, listening.

This argument had been anticipated by him long ago.

Nanming Village was not a single sect, nor a seasoned army. It was a temporary major village built from debts, interests, ambitions, old grievances, and opportunities.

There was a deep and irreconcilable conflict between Chun Yangzi and the Red Robe Guest. The Red Robe Guest’s aggressiveness and Chun Yangzi’s persistence were all tinged with personal grievances.

The Nine Fire Dragon Lord wanted to repair the furnace, Tan Zhu sought to strike subtly and indirectly, Situ Xing continuously observed Ning Zhuo, Shen Xi wanted to check the arrays, Lin Jinglong advocated for management, and Mu Yuehua remained silently seated, her moon-white sleeves draping over her knees, her brows and eyes reflecting cold elegance.

Tu Yuanzi also remained silent throughout.

The young man in yellow sat not far from Ning Zhuo, with his hands resting on his knees, listening intently. He didn’t interject or rush to express his stance, his clear eyes scanning everyone’s faces slowly, trying to secretly understand the "human" disputes.

Alongside Cang Yazi, he had straightforward relationships with spirit pets, with clear likes and dislikes. But now, these cultivators spoke with double meanings, had calculations in anger, barbs under their smiles, even help carried personal goals. For Tu Yuanzi, who had not long transformed, such discussions were likely more unfamiliar and profound than combat magic.

The argument persisted for a while and began to spiral out of control.

The Nine Fire Dragon Lord stood up impatiently, his gaze settling on the big-headed youth: "Ning Zhuo, I will list what’s needed for the furnace repair. As for the forces of Flowing Cloud Peak, you all can keep arguing."

He turned and left.

Before leaving, he looked at Tu Yuanzi with meaningful intent.

Tu Yuanzi was puzzled and thought, "Why do you look at me with such deep affection?"

The Nine Fire Dragon Lord, seeing Tu Yuanzi unmoved and not protecting a fellow demon cultivator, felt displeased and snorted coldly inwardly, but ultimately had to leave completely.

The second Nascent Soul Cultivator also departed, causing more unrest among the cultivators in the hall.

Until the discussion ended, no unified strategy was decided.

It could even be said that they parted on bad terms.

But Ning Zhuo was not disappointed at all.

This village cannot operate as command and prohibition, at least not for now.

The earlier debate allowed him to see more clearly the desires, schemes, and interest factions of each member.

As long as these actions do not undermine each other, they can all become a force pressing towards Flowing Cloud Peak.

Ning Zhuo, having spoken barely a word, had already achieved his initial goal.

Mu Yuehua returned back and forth.

The moon white dress shimmered with faint clear light under the lamp; she sat quietly, like a touch of moonlight lingering in the night. She almost did not speak during the earlier quarrel, merely listening silently.

Ning Zhuo looked at her: "Is there anything Fellow Daoist Mu still wishes to say?"

Mu Yuehua walked directly across from Ning Zhuo, sincerely saying, "If Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo needs anything, within my capability, I am willing to assist wholeheartedly."

Her tone was calm and cold, but her attitude was very determined.

Ning Zhuo’s expression became solemn, and he gave a respectful salute: "Fellow Daoist Mu’s willingness to assist me, Ning Zhuo will remember."

Mu Yuehua lightly shook her head: "I am not just helping you alone."

"You are someone I admire, for accomplishing something I couldn’t. I wish to help you to continue forward."

"I am helping myself."

Ning Zhuo sighed in admiration: "With Fellow Daoist Mu’s assistance, it is indeed my honor!"

Flowing Cloud Peak, Wuchang Cloud Valley.

This place is the territory of White Cloud Village.

There are three layers of prohibition set around Cloud Valley: the outer layer blinds with white clouds, the middle layer mystifies with the fragrance of tea, and the inner layer locks sound with array patterns, sealing the entire Cloud Valley tightly.

For various factions of Flowing Cloud Peak to gather representatives in one place like this is rare in past years.

Flowing Cloud Peak is accustomed to chaos.

The various factions are always on guard against each other, greeting with smiles by day, stabbing in the back by night—a common occurrence. If not for the pressure from Nanming Village, or Ning Zhuo slaying Flowing Gold Guest twice in a row and exposing their methods in public, these people would never sit at the same cloud table.

The cloud table is circular, its surface formed from congealed clouds like jade, with white mist flowing over it like a pool of captive living water.

The Thunder Cloud Association sent Lei Wangyue.

He is burly, wearing a short purple-black robe, with prominent brow bones and a face marked by an old burn from thunder fire. His voice is hoarse, like wind grinding stone before a thunderstorm, and even after sitting down, small bolts of lightning flicker at his sleeves, clearly showing his unsettled mind.

Zhao Ni from Bird and Beast Manor leans against his chair back, wearing a half-open beast-skin vest, a small gray-feathered eagle perched on his shoulder. He looks like a rustic hunter, but his eyes shine brightly, sweeping over people like a hawk surveying the ground. His rough fingertips continually fiddle with a bone whistle at his waist.

The Territorial Expansion Alliance sent Qiu Lei, his complexion earth-yellow and build solid, resembling a mountain rock not fond of speaking. Yet once seated, the earth energy beneath the cloud table seemed subtly pressed down, making even the floating clouds heavier.

The Broken Water Blade Pavilion’s representative, Xu Duan, wears a green-gray blade robe, with an unsheathed long blade resting on his knees. Though the blade edge is not shiny, it radiates a chilling aura capable of severing streams. Since taking his seat, he has not spoken a word, only fixed his gaze on the shifting clouds within the table, as if eyeing an opponent destined to be cleaved by him.

The Green Tea Society’s Ye Qingming is also present.

She is dressed in a moon-white long gown, overlaid with a water-green half-sleeve, with a simple and elegant plain silver hairpin in her hair. Pouring herself a cup of tea, the faint aroma drifting about, her gentle eyes capture every shift in expression from those around her.

The Golden Stone Alliance is represented by the Golden Hairpin Old Woman.

Her silver hair is styled into a bun with just one old golden hairpin, her wrinkled face like stone lines, yet her gaze is as rigid as the cold gold found deep in the veins. Since the Golden Stone Opening Skill has fallen into the hands of Flowing Gold Guest, she inevitably plays a crucial role.

Suspended Pot Residence has sent Wen Suzhen, one of the six doctors.

He has a fair face, a neatly trimmed short beard under his chin, and holds a silver needle, spinning it between his fingers.

Floating Life Association’s Jin Mantang also attends.

His corpulent body is stuffed into a chair, his golden robe with copper coin patterns glittering in the cloud-light. The man who usually laughs the most was much quieter tonight, frequently touching the ring on his hand, seemingly calculating how much this game might cost, and how much it might profit.

The Setting Sun Association’s Old Lady Chan Deng lurks in the shadows, her back slightly hunched, a small dim lamp hanging by her side. The yellow lamp light highlights the ravines on her face.

Her eyes are murky as she coldly chuckles, "Everyone, this is truly rare."

Old Lady Chan Deng’s voice is dry and hoarse, "For so many years, we’ve fought, cheated, killed, sold, yet seldom have we sat down in such neat order to discuss matters. To speak out, it seems as if a mere Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage brat has scared us senseless."

Lei Wangyue snorts coldly, "Chan Deng old ghost, spare the sarcasm. Your Setting Sun Association sold Transmission Shadow Jade Scrolls most enthusiastically, and much of the intel Ning Zhuo got came from you, didn’t it?"

Old Lady Chan Deng chuckles, "Selling information is a skill. Besides, without the Alarm Whistle, Thousand Weight Plunge, Thunder Breaking Pearl, and Breakup Blade Talisman you all sent over, how could this old woman sell with such excitement?"

Qiu Lei frowns, "Now is not the time to shirk responsibility."

"Then let’s talk business," Zhao Ni presses the little eagle on his shoulder, his gaze cold and fierce, "Can Flowing Gold Guest still be supported?"

With this, the cloud valley falls silent.

Flowing Gold Guest.

That name has now become a hot potato.

Supporting him means continuing to admit that the forces of Flowing Cloud Peak used him to deal with Ning Zhuo. Ning Zhuo has already spread word that before Nanming Village even ascended the peak, Flowing Cloud Peak was frightened and rushed to sponsor Flowing Gold Guest. If they continue to throw treasures at Flowing Gold Guest, it means substantiating this rumor.

But what if they don’t support him?

Flowing Gold Guest has been defeated twice, and if he fails the third battle, it will make them seem as though they are afraid of Ning Zhuo.

Nanming Village hasn’t even truly charged the peak, yet these local tyrants have already retreated. How will they manage public sentiment in the future? How will they deter future intruders? How will they command the respect of loose cultivators on their respective territories?

Currently, the various major forces of Flowing Cloud Peak feel quite caught in a dilemma!

Ye Qingming gently blows away the floating foam on the tea, softly saying, "I’ve long reminded: Ning Zhuo is not simple."

Lei Wangyue scoffs, "He’s certainly not simple. To slay Flowing Gold Guest twice, how could he be?"

Ye Qingming shakes her head, "I’m not talking about battle prowess."

Once again, silence descends.