Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

Chapter 1567: Chapter 647: Allegiance and Recruitment (Part 2)

He called forth Gongsun Yan and quickly settled Huoniao’er properly.

Ning Zhuo felt a sense of gratitude, he could sense Huoniao’er’s genuine sincerity.

Zhang Dadan, Patchwork Sun, and Jiang Xiaobian did not come. Ning Zhuo did not blame them at all.

In the Cultivation World, looking out for oneself is the most common choice.

Ning Zhuo could clearly see the opportunistic nature within Huoniao’er. However, if someone is willing to bet on themselves as a gamble, that surpasses a thousand eloquent words.

In the afternoon, the Flying Message from Xuan Armor Cave arrived.

The Flying Message was not an ordinary paper crane, but rather a bronze beetle the size of a palm. The beetle’s six legs were as sharp as hooks, its shell was etched with mystical armor patterns, and after flying into the cave mansion, it steadily landed on the desk. The shell opened, emitting a bronze-colored light projection.

The projection coalesced into the figure of an envoy, who introduced himself as a steward from Xuan Armor Cave.

He first saluted Ning Zhuo, his tone polite and attentive.

"Young Master Ning, Xuan Armor Cave is willing to undertake the maintenance of all the Mystic Armors you possess for free! Additionally, several Mystic Armors have been shipped along with this message, any of which you may purchase at a discounted rate if they catch your eye."

Accompanying the Flying Message was a cultivator from Xuan Armor Cave, carrying three large copper chests inside.

When the lids were lifted, a bronze brilliance immediately filled the entire cave mansion, casting a greenish light upon the stone walls.

Various Mystic Armors floated up, including arm guards, heavy shields, long hooks, short axes, and more, a dazzling array of types.

Ning Zhuo’s mind was clear: The Defensive Wheel Slash Formation has already proven that if Mystic Armors are integrated into the systems of Array Dao, Mechanical Techniques, and close-combat Martial Arts, they can achieve excellent synergistic effects. Xuan Armor Cave clearly saw this as well. They wanted to use this opportunity to further demonstrate the value of Mystic Armors!

This is why the discounts offered this time were astonishingly generous.

Ning Zhuo immediately realized this was an excellent opportunity, one that might not come again.

The deal was quickly settled.

Ning Zhuo then asked, "Does your cave have any Nascent Soul Level Mystic Armor for sale? The price is negotiable. Leasing is also an option."

The smile on the steward’s projection faded slightly.

His expression remained polite, but his tone became more formal: "Apologies, Young Master Ning. All Nascent Soul Level Mystic Armors are valuable treasures of our cave and are not available for sale or lease at this time."

"Only for one battle," Ning Zhuo replied.

The steward shook his head, "I do not have the authority to grant that request."

At this point, the meaning was clear enough. Ning Zhuo did not press further and simply nodded, "In that case, I would appreciate your cave helping to repair my armor."

The steward relaxed visibly and promptly cupped his hands, "Xuan Armor Cave will do its utmost."

After the light projection dispersed, Ning Zhuo gazed at the many Mystic Armors he had purchased, his eyes calm like the night.

"Once Nascent Soul Level Mystic Armor is loaned out, the implications are completely different—it would mean that Xuan Armor Cave stands alongside Ning Zhuo, facing the deeply entrenched forces behind the Three Brave of Xiang Sect together. They will not cross that line."

By evening, people from the Reincarnation Hall of Five Elements Peak arrived.

The arrival held great status, possessing the cultivation level of a Nascent Soul, as a dignified Vice Hall Master.

He came riding a Five-Colored Cloud Wheel, and when the cloud wheel descended before the entrance of the Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion, the Five Elements Spirit Light—gold, wood, water, fire, and earth—spun in layers and pressed the cloud qi apart on both sides, opening like an invisible grand gate.

The Vice Hall Master wore a five-colored magic robe, his face was gaunt, with a long beard hanging to his chest, his eyes gentle as water, yet exuding a dignified air of authority, standing in the midst of the cloud light like an immovable mountain.

Ning Zhuo personally stepped out of the cave mansion to greet him, "The arrival of the Vice Hall Master is an honor that leaves me flattered."

The Vice Hall Master raised his hand in a gentle gesture and smiled, "Ning Zhuo, your performance last time was remarkable, especially your mastery of the Five Elements Magic, which left a deep impression. Everyone in Reincarnation Hall has spoken of you with admiration. We still hold you in high regard."

Ning Zhuo welcomed him into the cave mansion.

After they were seated, the Vice Hall Master lifted the tea cup to his lips, the fragrance just reaching his nose, and then slowly set it down again, his gaze settling on Ning Zhuo’s face, "I came to mediate."

Ning Zhuo’s expression remained unchanged.

The Vice Hall Master looked at him, "The Three Brave of Xiang Sect are notoriously fearsome. The various forces of Flowing Cloud Peak have used the Red Robe Guest’s Demon Soul to exert pressure, making the situation extremely perilous. If Reincarnation Hall intervenes, it may help alleviate it somewhat. If the talks go well, there might even be room to redeem the Red Robe Guest’s Demon Soul."

His voice was as gentle as a stream, but beneath the current were hidden purposes like rocks.

Ning Zhuo heard clearly and rose to bow, "I am grateful for the Vice Hall Master’s kindness."

The Vice Hall Master looked at him with a smile, "Gratitude is good. You’re a smart person, and you should understand that some issues, if fought over, incur too great a cost. By negotiating, more can actually be preserved."

Ning Zhuo sat back down, gently pressing a finger to the edge of the tea cup. A few spirit leaves floated on the tea, their tips swaying slightly with his movement, "I understand."

The Vice Hall Master’s gaze shifted slightly: "What do you mean then?"

Ning Zhuo lowered his eyes for a moment, then raised them again, his expression upright: "I’m afraid I must decline the Vice Hall Master’s kind intentions."

The Vice Hall Master remained silent for a moment. The air inside the cave mansion grew heavier.

He was still gentle, but his tone carried a touch more seriousness: "Why?"

Ning Zhuo replied: "My current situation is terrible. If I were to coordinate now, it would require many concessions."

The Vice Hall Master did not deny it.

Ning Zhuo continued: "For example, having Nanming Village abandon the contention for the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar."

The Vice Hall Master’s hand stopped mid-air with the teacup.

Ning Zhuo’s tone remained as respectful as before, yet the weight of his words was clear: "Nanming Village has already formed an alliance, and Senior Pure Yangzi holds the seat of the Great Village Chief, with all the Nascent Soul and Golden Core members having stakes. I am merely the lowest in rank in Nanming Village and cannot forfeit such benefits on their behalf."

The Vice Hall Master slowly put down the teacup. With a gentle sound, ripples spread across the tea in the cup. He looked at Ning Zhuo and remained silent for quite a while.

Outside the cave mansion, twilight deepened. The mountain clouds were dyed a pale red by the evening glow, like the embers of a fire furnace laid out at the horizon, gentle yet carrying a hint of impending chill.

Finally, the Vice Hall Master sighed softly: "Young man, it’s rare for someone to impose rules upon themselves."

Ning Zhuo cupped his hands: "I am simply following the rules of Nanming Village."

The Vice Hall Master stood up: "If that’s the case, then I won’t persuade you further. But remember, Ning Zhuo, one only has a single life."

"I will remember."

Ning Zhuo saw him out of the cave mansion.

The Vice Hall Master departed on the Cloud Wheel, a five-colored cloud light streaked across the sky, leaving behind a faint spiritual brilliance, like a rainbow falling into the twilight.

Ning Zhuo stood at the cave mansion’s entrance, watching until the cloud light completely disappeared at the horizon, then turned back inside.

As night descended, Kong Ran arrived.

He wore a pale yellow short robe, his cheeks still plump with baby fat, his eyes black and shiny like polished lacquer. As the night breeze blew by, his robe billowed slightly, making him still look like a playful child.

"Brother Ning." Kong Ran cupped his hands in respect, his motions precise as if practiced many times beforehand.

Ning Zhuo smiled and returned the gesture: "Brother Kong visiting late at night must have an important matter."

After taking his seat, Kong Ran did not, as he usually would, start with a joke. He placed a letter on the table, his fingers pressing down on its corner, knuckles turning slightly white: "My father is very worried about your safety."

Ning Zhuo looked at the letter.

Kong Ran continued: "My father says, Brother Ning, that you are now in the spotlight, entangled in major affairs everywhere, and there is really no need to risk life and death for an unfamiliar Demon Soul. Perhaps you could proceed with restraint, advancing steadily?"

As he spoke, his brow furrowed slightly, his small face showing a gravity beyond his years.

He himself was also worried about Ning Zhuo. And this time, he brought along the balance and considerations of Kong Zhaoming as Prime Minister.

Ning Zhuo asked: "Is Prime Minister Kong willing to help?"

Kong Ran nodded: "Willingly. But my father also proposes a condition—we, the Kong family, want a share of the debt on the Nanming Fire Furnace. The specific price can be discussed."

Ning Zhuo was not surprised. In their last exchange, Kong Ran had already hinted at Kong Zhaoming’s intentions; this was merely the second time.

Ning Zhuo picked up the teacup, blowing away the hot mist floating on its surface: "I need the assistance of something at the Nascent Soul level. Preferably a Mechanical Artifact."

Kong Ran’s eyes slightly widened: "Brother Ning’s Mechanical Techniques can already control Nascent Soul level mechanisms?"

Ning Zhuo was just at the Foundation Establishment Cultivation level; his abilities in Divine Sense, though displayed significantly in previous competitions and superior to ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators, were still far from sufficient to control Nascent Soul level Mechanical Artifacts.

Kong Ran knew this much, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.

Ning Zhuo shook his head: "I can’t control them. Even if I could barely activate them, I couldn’t wield their full power."

Kong Ran was even more puzzled: "Then what do you need Mechanical Artifacts for?"

Ning Zhuo looked at him: "In fact, I need a Nascent Soul level Mechanical Artifact capable of autonomous combat."

Kong Ran gasped.

His cheeks, still round with baby fat, puffed out, and his eyes widened: "Brother Ning, your request is too terrifying."