Chapter 94: Attending the Banquet

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Ning Zhuo recognized the voice as Ning Xiaohui’s and left the dining table to step into the courtyard, where he encountered his former schoolmate.

Ning Xiaohui and Ning Zhuo were students of the same cohort at the academy.

Ning Zhuo’s performance at the academy was average, nothing remarkable. In contrast, Ning Xiaohui, as a member of the main lineage and blessed with exceptional talent and delicate hands, had long held the top position, shining brightly like the moon surrounded by stars.

At this moment, Ning Xiaohui’s expression was indifferent, her gaze cold as she glanced over Ning Zhuo.

She was slightly surprised inwardly—she hadn’t expected the once inconspicuous classmate to be quite good-looking.

She scanned him up and down.

“You don’t look like the creator of the Mechanized Fiery Monkey at all.”

Ning Zhuo let out a small sound, somewhat embarrassed, and said, “Well... I think it was just a coincidence. If I were to continue creating a new mechanism, I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to. I have no confidence.”

“That’s right.” Ning Xiaohui had examined all of Ning Zhuo’s information, including numerous manuscripts and drawings discovered and replicated by the Ning family’s investigative team in their underground workshop.

From this, she saw that Ning Zhuo had spent at least five to six years developing the Mechanized Fiery Monkey from the initial idea.

This discovery greatly lowered her opinion of Ning Zhuo’s abilities.

Ning Zhuo stepped in front of Ning Xiaohui. “May I ask why you summoned me?”

Ning Xiaohui frowned slightly, feeling that Ning Zhuo was standing a bit too close. She took a small step back and, with a tone of accusation, said, “You actually gave the Mechanized Fiery Monkey to outsiders. Why didn’t you report it to the family first?”

Ning Zhuo sighed and spread his hands, a look of frustration and innocence on his face. “I wanted to tell the family too. But at that time, my Mechanized Fiery Monkey was flawed, incomplete!”

“I couldn’t present it properly.”

“I consulted Chen Cha to solve the design problems on the mechanical monkey. But unexpectedly, it got exposed, and in the end, some big shot took an interest.”

“What could I do?”

“Fortunately, they paid me.”

“Hmph, you mean Lord Feisi, right?” Ning Xiaohui deliberately mentioned the name.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes widened in surprise.

Seeing she had achieved her point, Ning Xiaohui smirked coldly. “Ning Zhuo, you’re so shortsighted, only caring about money.”

“You don’t realize that fame comes before fortune. Once you have fame, profit follows.”

“Fame is far more important than profit!”

“Creating the Mechanized Fiery Monkey brought great prestige. Now, it’s been taken from you. Such a loss cannot be compensated with mere money.”

“Is that so?” Ning Zhuo scratched his head, looking naive and inexperienced.

Seeing his foolish expression, Ning Xiaohui felt a surge of disgust and lost the desire to continue the conversation.

Unbeknownst to her, Ning Zhuo had already seen through her arrogance and conceit, easily manipulating her.

Ning Xiaohui turned and walked away. “I came to tell you there’s a small banquet tonight. I’ll lead you there.”

“Get yourself ready. Don’t embarrass our family.”

Ning Zhuo was surprised. “May I ask what kind of banquet? Who will be there?”

Without turning back, Ning Xiaohui replied, “People from the joint team of the three families: Zheng Jian, Zhou Zesheng, and Zhou Zhu.”

“Dragons don’t mingle with snakes. Just follow me and say little.”

“Oh, okay.” Ning Zhuo quickly agreed. “Oh no, I still need to ask the young clan leader for permission.”

“Suit yourself.” Ning Xiaohui left the backyard and disappeared behind the door.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes darkened thoughtfully.

He only mentioned asking the young clan leader as a formality. He was well aware that since Ning Xiaohui had come all the way to the back residence, she must have the approval of Ning Xiaoren.

“Ning Xiaohui is main lineage, and I am only branch lineage.”

“My cultivation and mechanical skills have already posed a certain challenge to Ning Xiaohui.”

“If this were before, I would have long been warned or suppressed.”

“But now, with the three families united, it’s relatively fair. The Ning family is at a competitive disadvantage and needs my personal efforts to support Ning Xiaohui.”

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Hence, the courtesy shown to him.

“But Ning Xiaohui isn’t the forgiving type. If I continue to stand out and show talent, she will become an obstacle.”

“Only by removing this obstacle can I move forward.”

Ning Zhuo always thought three steps ahead.

As the saying goes, “He who fails to plan for the future will find trouble near at hand.” He had already begun contemplating how to remove Ning Xiaohui as a barrier.

After some thought, he shook his head slightly, smiling bitterly to himself.

He couldn’t come up with a good solution.

First, Ning Zhuo reported to the young clan leader Ning Xiaoren about the evening banquet.

Seeing Ning Zhuo’s conduct, Ning Xiaoren tested his obedience and was quite pleased. He immediately agreed and said Ning Zhuo’s clothes were unsuitable for the banquet and arranged for someone to tailor new ones for him.

The young clan leader held high status and had many servants. Even making ordinary clothes in the cultivation world was extremely efficient.

By evening, the garments were ready.

Not just one set, but three.

Ning Xiaoren seized the opportunity to show goodwill.

He stayed throughout Ning Zhuo’s fittings, praising repeatedly.

In the end, his eyes reddened, and with a choked voice, he said, “If only Brother Ning Zhong were still alive to see you now, a true gentleman. He would surely be proud.”

Ning Zhuo quickly asked about his father’s condition.

Ning Xiaoren coughed, saying it was late and that the uncle-nephew reunion could wait.

Inwardly, he planned to investigate all information on Ning Zhong and fabricate a deep bond between the generations.

“Oh, by the way,” Ning Xiaoren took out a small pouch and handed it to Ning Zhuo.

“I know you have a large fortune, but take this pocket money as a small gift from Uncle Ning.”

His movement was slow as he passed the pouch.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes brightened, and he quickly stretched out both hands to receive it, surprising Ning Xiaoren with his swift action.

“Thank you, Uncle Ning!” His gratitude was more straightforward than ever before.

Then the youth added, “Uncle Ning, I don’t have a large fortune!”

“I never think I have much money. In fact, I have very little.”

“Besides, you can never have too much money, right?”

“Thank you again, Uncle Ning.”

Ning Zhuo thanked him once more.

Ning Xiaoren coughed dryly. “Good, I’m glad you accepted it.”

Watching Ning Zhuo inspect the pouch, his feelings were complicated.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo’s attitude toward money perfectly echoed Ning Xiaoren’s own feelings.

This was a kindred spirit!

But such a kindred spirit… well, maybe better not.

Especially since Ning Zhuo was holding Ning Xiaoren’s money.

On the other hand, it made perfect sense.

Ning Xiaoren thought of all the information he had seen.

Ning Zhuo had a difficult childhood, mistreated by Ning Ze and Wang Lan, with almost no pocket money and great hardship. In contrast, Ning Ji lived in luxury with ample provisions.

Ning Zhuo was always tight on money and often worked odd jobs after enrolling at the academy.

Given this upbringing, Ning Zhuo’s craving for money was certainly strong.

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Therefore, it was not surprising that Ning Zhuo agreed to relinquish the creation credit of the Mechanized Fiery Monkey to Chen Cha while enjoying the huge profits himself.

After Ning Zhuo left, Ning Xiaoren felt quite satisfied.

He realized that Ning Zhuo was not difficult to win over!

Winning someone over was actually simple—appeal to their preferences!

“Ning Zhuo’s first love is mechanical arts. His second is money.”

“Hmm, I’ll use mechanical lore to win him over.”

Because when it came to money, Ning Xiaoren himself was very fond of it as well.

Night fell.

The carriage stopped, and Ning Zhuo jumped down first.

Then Ning Xiaohui stepped down, lightly treading on a servant’s back.

“Ning Zhuo, your status is different now. You must be mindful of your every move,” Ning Xiaohui frowned. “Jumping off the carriage casually is too frivolous. That’s not how a disciple of our great family behaves.”

“Oh, okay,” Ning Zhuo quickly promised to heed her advice.

Along the way, he looked around curiously, as if he had never been here before. Everything was fresh to him.

Ning Xiaohui frowned deeper. “Stay close to me.”

Ning Zhuo hurried to keep up.

Then she said, “But don’t follow too closely. Keep some distance.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Welcome, welcome, both of you,” Zheng Jian personally greeted them at the private room’s entrance.

He was the host of this small banquet.

Ning Xiaohui and Ning Zhuo entered, finding Zhou Zesheng and Zhou Zhu already there.

Everyone wore smiles.

Just this experience made Ning Zhuo feel somewhat novel, as he had never seen these geniuses smile so warmly and converse so gently.

The dishes at the banquet were exquisite.

Ning Zhuo’s eyes gleamed as he stared at the table, taking the most bites.

Zheng Jian and the others closely observed Ning Zhuo.

They knew Ning Xiaohui fairly well but lacked sufficient knowledge about the suddenly emerging Ning Zhuo.

Though their families had also investigated and gathered intelligence rivaling the Ning family’s, often, face-to-face probing and understanding were necessary.

Seeing Ning Zhuo try to suppress himself, act indifferent, yet unable to resist eating and drinking, they gradually formed a clear impression.

Combining this with their intelligence, they quickly sketched an image of Ning Zhuo in their minds—the talented family cultivator from the lower ranks, once a marginal figure, who had by chance entered the upper echelons. Initially awkward in his every move, his subtle glances betrayed his humble past.

During the meal, Zheng Jian and the others naturally spoke of the Lava Immortal Palace.

Zheng Jian first raised a glass to Ning Xiaohui. “We must thank the Ning family for providing talismans, protecting us from having our souls drawn by the Immortal Palace at will.”

“Since our three families have united, and everyone present has reached the peak third level of Qi Refinement, we can remove the talismans and explore the palace together.”

“I believe that by joining forces, we will surely overcome the challenges ahead.”

Ning Zhuo pricked up his ears, listening attentively. He spoke with enthusiasm and excitement, “Exactly! United, we will cut through all obstacles and advance with great momentum!”

Zheng Jian and Zhou Zhu exchanged glances.

For a moment, the small banquet fell into an unusual silence.