Fei Si saw Zhu Xuanji off, but instead of leaving, he turned and returned to the Flying Disc Workshop.
He fixed his gaze on Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo, ultimately focusing on Ning Zhuo.
Suddenly, he released his Golden Core stage pressure.
Caught off guard, Ning Zhuo was forced down to one knee under the pressure.
Chen Cha was alarmed.
“Lord Fei Si, what are you...?”
Fei Si sneered. “Recently, the Monkey Head Gang has suffered repeated blows. Over thirty percent of their monkey pets have been poisoned and killed.”
“After investigation, it was discovered that someone, sparing no expense, had been capturing wild monkeys for a long time."
"Moreover, a substantial bounty was placed on the lives of the Monkey Head Gang’s monkey pets on the Black Market.”
“Not only that, but the current gang leader of the Monkey Head Gang, Yuan Er, was also targeted for assassination."
"The assassin was so brazen that he even sent a death threat before the attack."
"Although the attempt ultimately failed, Yuan Er was so terrified that he has been hiding in the gang’s headquarters, not daring to go out.”
Fei Si stared at Ning Zhuo. “Did you do all this?”
Nearly crushed by the immense Golden Core stage pressure, Ning Zhuo’s face turned pale, cold sweat pouring from him.
He struggled to speak. “Lord Fei Si, if you ask me like this, of course I will deny it.”
“I have produced a new mechanical monkey, using a new design that allows us to make many more in a short time, fully capable of meeting the current demand!”
Fei Si’s eyebrows rose slightly as he turned to look at Chen Cha.
Chen Cha, concerned for Ning Zhuo’s life, quickly nodded.
“Yes, Lord Fei Si, that’s correct. However, the new mechanical monkeys use fewer materials and less complex processes, resulting in a significant drop in quality, making them less durable.”
Fei Si pressed further, “Can they still pick the fire persimmons?”
Chen Cha nodded. “There’s no issue with that.”
Only then did Fei Si’s expression soften, and he gradually withdrew his Golden Core pressure.
Looking down from above, he said to Ning Zhuo, “Stand up.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Ning Zhuo staggered to his feet, cold sweat soaking him, his lips bitten and bleeding, and even a trickle of blood dripping from his nose, looking rather disheveled.
Fei Si pointed at Ning Zhuo. “You’re a clever one, aren’t you? Ning Zhuo, I’ll remember you.”
Ning Zhuo showed a hint of joy.
“To be remembered by you, my lord, is an honor beyond measure."
"I am willing to stake my head that we will be able to produce enough mechanical monkeys to meet the needs of the Fire Persimmon Festival.”
Fei Si nodded approvingly, satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s commitment, and his attitude softened even more.
Ning Zhuo continued, “My lord, according to my new design, to manufacture the mechanical monkeys, it would be best to use real monkeys as materials.”
“Hasn’t the Monkey Head Gang lost a lot of their monkey pets? We urgently need these monkey corpses as raw materials.”
“I ask for your permission, my lord!”
Hearing this, Fei Si narrowed his eyes, reassessing Ning Zhuo.
He stroked his beard, a hint of admiration flickering in his mind.
“This youngster is young but ruthless; he clearly aims to bring down the Monkey Head Gang.”
“He sees it clearly: the business of the fire explosive monkeys relies on picking fire persimmons, a trade the Monkey Head Gang controls. He wants to topple them.”
“He plans to use my authority to demand the monkey corpses. Will Yuan Er dare refuse? But if he does hand them over, what of his authority as gang leader?”
“Ambitious and shrewd.”
“He’s like me, like I was in my youth.”
If Ning Zhuo had reached the Golden Core stage—or even just the Foundation Establishment stage—Fei Si might have felt wary.
But Ning Zhuo was merely at the Qi Refining stage and still a youth.
This left Fei Si without concern.
With this thought, Fei Si showed a subtle, inexplicable smile.
“This is interesting. How much do you think we should pay the Monkey Head Gang to acquire the monkey corpses?”
Ning Zhuo answered without hesitation, “I am willing to give up forty percent of the profits."
"From now on, forty percent of the mechanical fire explosive monkey business revenue will belong to you, my lord!”
Feigning confusion, Fei Si asked, “What does this have to do with me?”
Ning Zhuo replied immediately, “Lord Fei Si, you are the governing official of Fire Persimmon Immortal City. What matter here could possibly be unrelated to you?”
“On the other hand, the Monkey Head Gang has blood on their hands, draining the city’s resources, yet they show no gratitude.”
“They should be contributing more to Fire Persimmon Immortal City and showing more appreciation for you, Lord Fei Si.”
“These monkeys are already dead; they would only bury them."
"Why not let us use them to solve the Fire Persimmon Festival’s challenges and add bricks to the building of Fire Persimmon Immortal City?”
Fei Si burst out laughing, pointing his finger at Ning Zhuo.
“Not bad, Ning Zhuo. Your sense of duty is very impressive; you are a promising talent on the righteous path!”
“I’ll send my subordinates to demand the monkey corpses and have them delivered to you.”
Ning Zhuo bowed deeply. “Thank you, my lord.”
Chen Cha, standing by and witnessing all this, had a complicated expression.
After Fei Si left, Ning Zhuo turned to Chen Cha, sincerity in his eyes. “Elder Chen, I’m sorry. I had to do this!”
Chen Cha sighed with some resentment.
“Since Lord Fei Si has permitted it, what else can I say?”
He detested cutting corners and compromising quality to this extent.
This approach was purely for profit, disrespecting the mechanical creations and, by extension, disrespecting himself.
Chen Cha’s reaction was exactly what Ning Zhuo anticipated.
The young cultivator had prepared his response and said, “Elder Chen, from now on, I’ll be visiting the workshop more often. I must participate in crafting the mechanical monkeys!”
“After all, I’ve just staked my head in assurance to Lord Fei Si.”
Chen Cha’s face showed concern. “Brother Ning, you’re taking too much risk with this.”
“Please, refrain from making such rash guarantees in the future. If something unforeseen happens, what if you can’t fulfill it?”
“You are a Ning family clansman; you don’t need to guarantee anything. Even Lord Fei Si would avoid causing you trouble.”
But Ning Zhuo clenched his fist, interrupting him. “Elder Chen, if I don’t stake my position, how can I show my resolve? How could I ever gain Lord Fei Si’s favor?”
“The matter of the mechanical fire explosive monkeys made me realize.”
“I understand now; this is a world of power! Even if I invent something, the glory can be taken from me without a second thought.”
Elder Chen was taken aback, guilt flooding his expression as he tried to speak.
Ning Zhuo interrupted again, “I don’t blame you, Elder Chen; I know you were compelled by circumstances.”
“These days, I’ve been studying the Curved Snake Elastic Formation Collection and have learned a great deal.”
“Elder Chen, I understand.”
“I thank you. Thank you for sharing your formation insights with me and for allowing me to glimpse the world’s true face.”
“That’s why I will climb!”
“I will climb upward. I will rise above others!”
“Only by reaching a certain height can I protect my own interests. One day, no one will be able to steal my honor, and no one will be able to seize my mechanical creations!”
Chen Cha fell silent.
Looking at the young man before him, filled with righteousness, his eyes shining with determination and ambition, his heart was overwhelmed with complex emotions.
He now understood why Ning Zhuo’s personality had changed so drastically.
No longer feeling resentful or disdainful, Chen Cha instead felt guilt and self-reproach.
He knew: the pure-hearted youth in front of him had been changed by none other than him, Chen Cha.
“What right do I have to criticize him now?” Chen Cha sighed deeply in his heart.
He walked over to Ning Zhuo, gripping his shoulder.
“Little Zhuo! I’m sorry. Now that things have come to this, I’ll do everything in my power to help you!”
Ning Zhuo beamed, smiling broadly.
When he heard Chen Cha revert to calling him “Little Zhuo” instead of “Brother Ning,” he knew he had succeeded.