Chapter 62: Were You the Inventor of the Mechanical Monkey?

In the next moment, Fei Si pushed open the door and entered.

Zhu Xuanji fixed him with a deep, penetrating gaze. "You certainly arrived quickly."

Fei Si managed a smile, though there was a trace of bitterness in it. As someone of special status, Zhu Xuanji’s every move was under Fei Si’s watchful eye. The city lord hadn’t issued any explicit instructions on this matter, but Fei Si knew perfectly well how to act. Thus, when Zhu Xuanji and his two companions left the volcano and headed straight for the Disc Workshop, Fei Si was among the first to receive word.

The Disc Workshop and Chen Cha were both closely connected to Fei Si, especially regarding the upcoming Fire Persimmon Festival. He desperately needed as many Firecracker Monkeys as possible for the event. Responsible for the festival’s preparations, Fei Si dared not let anything slip.

So when Zhu Xuanji and the others made their way to the Disc Workshop, Fei Si could no longer sit still and came rushing over.

"First of all, I have nothing to do with the emergence of the Celestial Palace," Fei Si began. "Secondly, all this stems from a small oversight on my part."

He then recounted the story in detail: out of concern for the people’s welfare and fear that the southern Dou Dynasty’s treasures might be destroyed, he was eager to present a new marvel to the city lord and thus recommended the mechanical monkeys. In his haste, he mistakenly took Chen Cha for the inventor.

When he realized his error, Chen Cha suggested they cover it up. Fei Si had hesitated at first, but Chen Cha’s persistent persuasion won him over. Chen Cha then approached Ning Zhuo in private, asking him to transfer the title of inventor in exchange for a handsome reward. Ning Zhuo agreed, and the two signed a contract to keep the secret. (In truth, this was at Fei Si’s direct order, with formalities completed later.)

"What a lovely story," Chi Dun sneered, locking his eyes on Fei Si. "But I know you’re lying."

Zhu Xuanji’s frown deepened. His cultivation allowed him to sense the truth in Fei Si’s words—there were many falsehoods, but the core was real enough. Given Fei Si’s status as a Golden Core cultivator and his powerful role in city affairs, Zhu Xuanji chose not to expose him.

Zheng Shuangou, meanwhile, turned to Ning Zhuo, sizing him up anew. "So you are the true inventor of the Firecracker Monkeys."

Ning Zhuo hurriedly bowed, once again expressing his gratitude for Zheng Shuangou's life-saving help. Zheng Shuangou, a Golden Core cultivator, had rescued the remnants of the Ning family atop the volcano—Ning Zhuo, Ning Yong, and Ning Chen among them.

With a smile, Zheng Shuangou said, "Since you remember my help, how do you intend to repay me?" It seemed he was taking an interest in Ning Zhuo’s talent with mechanisms.

Ning Zhuo answered with a wry smile, "As a cultivator of the Ning family, I fear I will not be able to repay you fully, but I will do my utmost."

Zheng Shuangou waved a hand. "Enough, enough, I wouldn’t trouble a junior like you."

As a Ning family cultivator, any attempt by Zheng Shuangou to forcibly recruit Ning Zhuo would surely spark friction between their clans.

Previously, the three families had already been discussing an alliance against the City Lord’s Mansion. Now that Ning Zhuo had shifted his cultivation path, whether or not he joined the Zheng family was of little consequence.

Zhu Xuanji turned once more to Ning Zhuo. "Were you present when the Celestial Palace emerged?"

"Yes," Ning Zhuo replied. "I barely escaped with my life."

"I know," Chi Dun interjected with a laugh, clearly pleased now that he had something on Fei Si. "After the incident, I interrogated many people. The Ning family cultivators were among the first batch. At the time, I not only used a Heart-Seeking Formation but also carried the Warning Bell bestowed by the city lord himself. It was thanks to the bell's warning that I discovered the shadow demon cultivator lurking nearby! I gave chase, but he escaped into the Fire Persimmon Forest."

Zhu Xuanji nodded and pressed the key questions. "When did you start producing the Firecracker Monkeys? Did your blueprints leak beforehand? Is there anyone else who knows?"

Upon investigation, Zhu Xuanji learned that the Firecracker Monkeys had been sold to the outside world well before the Celestial Palace’s emergence. The collaboration between Ning Zhuo and Chen Cha had begun the very day Ning Zhuo first sought advice, and production and sales started immediately. According to Chen Cha, he needed to test the market’s response before deciding on further investment and scale.

Although Ning Zhuo insisted his blueprints had not been leaked, as a mere disciple at the Qi Refining stage, he would hardly be able to tell if someone had stolen them. In short, this trail was a dead end.

Tracking down every buyer of a Firecracker Monkey would be an overwhelming task—just imagining it made Zhu Xuanji’s scalp tingle. And that didn’t even account for resales. In reality, a single mechanical monkey could have passed through several hands.

Having reached this point, Zhu Xuanji lost interest in the Disc Workshop, Chen Cha, and Ning Zhuo.

As he was leaving, Fei Si escorted him out. "In truth, Lord Zhu, there’s no need to expend so much effort investigating these matters. The Fire Persimmon Festival is just around the corner. Then, we can surround the shadow demon cultivator. If we can capture and interrogate him alive, with the methods of the Divine Constabulary, the mastermind will surely be revealed, won’t he?"

That was exactly Fei Si’s plan. As the busiest man in the city, every moment of his day had to be managed efficiently. In his view, Zhu Xuanji’s wide-ranging investigation was a waste of time. The culprit was hiding in the Fire Persimmon Forest—why not catch him directly and solve everything at once?

Zhu Xuanji snorted coldly, glancing at Fei Si. "I understand your point. Rest assured, I’ll be present at the Fire Persimmon Festival. I’d very much like to meet this shadow demon cultivator in person!"

Fei Si smiled, for this was precisely the support he had hoped to draw in. As a member of the Divine Constabulary, Zhu Xuanji’s combat prowess was unmatched. Coupled with his royal status and the many treasures surely in his possession, the odds of capturing the shadow demon cultivator rose dramatically.

Zhu Xuanji left the Disc Workshop.

On the way, Zheng Shuangou took his leave, leaving only Chi Dun. His thinking was similar to Fei Si’s—he wanted to catch the shadow demon cultivator at the Fire Persimmon Festival and resolve the core issue directly.

Zhu Xuanji sneered, "Do you really believe the shadow demon cultivator is the true culprit behind the Celestial Palace bombing?"

Chi Dun was taken aback. "Isn’t he?"

Zhu Xuanji shook his head. "Don’t let your own suppositions cloud your vision. Based on the evidence, the Celestial Palace emerged only after being bombarded again. The explosion was caused by a mechanical monkey. If that’s the case, anyone could have operated such a device."

Chi Dun stopped in his tracks, realizing Zhu Xuanji’s words made perfect sense.

"But if not the shadow demon cultivator, then who?" He pondered deeply, then suddenly his body shook as an incredulous thought struck him. "Could it be... Zheng Shuangou?!"

Once again, Zhu Xuanji shook his head. "Anything is possible. Imagine: if the shadow demon cultivator isn’t the real culprit, and we waste precious time convinced that he is, how will we answer for it?"

Chi Dun nodded. "You’re right, Lord Zhu. But haven’t we lost the trail of the mechanical monkeys?"

Zhu Xuanji smiled faintly, looking up at the sky. "Chi Dun, you forget—there’s an even more crucial clue. The real force that bombarded the Celestial Palace wasn’t the mechanical monkey, but the thousand-catty Fire Essence. To purchase such a massive quantity of Fire Essence would certainly draw attention—the seller would remember it well!"

Chi Dun clapped his hands in excitement. "Yes, yes, this is a solid lead at last."

Zhu Xuanji turned to him. "So next, I want you to accompany me as we investigate every market in Celestial City."

"Understood, sir!" With hope renewed, Chi Dun’s voice brimmed with enthusiasm.