Chapter 63: I Want to Climb Up

Fei Si sent Zhu Xuanji off but did not leave himself; instead, he turned back toward the Flying Disc Workshop.

He fixed his gaze on Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo, then focused his attention solely on Ning Zhuo.

Suddenly, he unleashed the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator.

Caught unawares, Ning Zhuo was forced down to one knee under the immense weight.

Chen Cha was horrified. “Master Fei Si, what are you—”

Fei Si sneered. “Lately, the Monkey Head Gang has suffered repeated blows. Over thirty percent of their monkey pets have been poisoned and killed.

“Upon investigation, I discovered someone spent lavishly, hunting wild monkeys for a long time. On the black market, they placed a hefty bounty on the lives of the gang’s monkey pets.

“And more than that, the current gang leader, Yuan Er, was nearly assassinated. The assassin was bold enough to send a death notice before the attempt. Though the attempt failed, Yuan Er was terrified, now hiding in the gang’s headquarters and no longer venturing out.”

Fei Si stared at Ning Zhuo. “Were all these things your doing?”

Pressed nearly to the ground by the overwhelming Golden Core might, Ning Zhuo’s face was deathly pale, sweat pouring off him as he struggled to resist. He managed to speak in a strained voice, “Master Fei Si, if you ask me in this way, of course I will deny it.

“I’ve produced new mechanical monkeys, with new blueprints. In a short time, I can make many more, fully meeting this demand!”

Fei Si’s brows rose slightly and he turned to Chen Cha.

Concerned for Ning Zhuo’s life, Chen Cha nodded quickly. “Yes, Master Fei Si. But the new mechanical monkeys cut many materials and steps; their quality has dropped sharply and they won’t last long.”

Fei Si pressed, “Can they pick fire persimmons?”

Chen Cha nodded. “That’s not a problem.”

Only then did Fei Si’s expression ease, the pressure slowly receding. Looking down at Ning Zhuo, he commanded, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Master.” Ning Zhuo staggered to his feet, drenched in cold sweat, his lips bitten bloody, his breath ragged—a sorry sight.

Fei Si pointed at Ning Zhuo. “You’re clever, aren’t you, Ning Zhuo? I remember you now.”

A hint of joy flashed across Ning Zhuo’s face. “To be remembered by Master is my greatest honor. I am willing to stake my own head as guarantee that I will produce enough mechanical monkeys to meet the needs of the Fire Persimmon Festival.”

Fei Si grunted, evidently satisfied with Ning Zhuo’s declaration, and his attitude softened further.

Ning Zhuo continued, “Master, according to my new designs, the best materials for mechanical monkeys are indeed monkeys themselves.

“The Monkey Head Gang lost many monkey pets, didn’t they? We need those monkey corpses for raw materials.

“I hope Master will permit this!”

Fei Si narrowed his eyes, regarding Ning Zhuo anew. Stroking his beard, he felt a measure of admiration for the youth. “This young man is ruthless for his age—he intends to bring the Monkey Head Gang to ruin.”

He saw clearly: the fire monkey business depends on picking fire persimmons, and the Monkey Head Gang controls that trade. So Ning Zhuo wants to topple them.

He wants to use my power to demand monkey corpses. Would Yuan Er dare refuse? But if he gives them, what remains of his authority as gang leader?

He has both ambition and means.

Just like me—just like I was in my youth.

If Ning Zhuo had Golden Core cultivation, or even Foundation Establishment, Fei Si would feel threatened. But right now, Ning Zhuo was only a Qi Refining youth, and that left Fei Si untroubled.

At this thought, Fei Si’s smile took on a mysterious meaning. “This is interesting. What price do you think we should offer the Monkey Head Gang for their monkey corpses?”

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo replied, “I am willing to give up forty percent of profits. From now on, forty percent of the fire monkey mechanism profits will go to you, Master!”

Fei Si feigned confusion. “And what does this have to do with me?”

Ning Zhuo answered instantly, “Master Fei Si, you are the governor of Fire Persimmon Immortal City. How could anything here not concern you?

“In contrast, the Monkey Head Gang—bloody-handed, living off the people’s fat, yet never repaying their debt.

“They ought to contribute more to our city, and to you, Master Fei Si.

“All those monkeys are dead; they would only be buried. Better to let us use them, solve the festival’s problems, and help build up Fire Persimmon Immortal City!”

Fei Si laughed heartily, pointing at Ning Zhuo, tapping his finger several times. “Excellent, Ning Zhuo! You have great awareness—a promising lad of the righteous path!”

“I’ll send my subordinates to request the corpses and have them delivered to you.”

Ning Zhuo bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master.”

Chen Cha watched all this, his expression deeply conflicted.

Once Fei Si had left, Ning Zhuo faced Chen Cha with sincerity. “Elder Chen, I’m sorry. I must do this!”

Chen Cha sighed, unable to hide his resentment. “Since Master Fei Si has approved, what can I say?

He hated cutting corners and skimping on materials at his core.

It was purely for profit, disrespecting his own mechanical creations—and by extension, himself.

Chen Cha’s reaction was entirely within Ning Zhuo’s expectations.

The young cultivator was prepared and said, “Elder Chen, I’ll come to the workshop more often from now on. I want to help make the mechanical monkeys too!

After all, I just staked my life as guarantee to Master Fei Si.”

At this, worry appeared on Chen Cha’s face. “Ning, this is too risky.”

“Stop making reckless promises. What if something unexpected happens and you can’t deliver?

You have your Ning family status; you don’t need to make guarantees. Even Master Fei Si worries about inviting trouble.”

But Ning Zhuo clenched his fists and interrupted. “Elder Chen, if I don’t guarantee, how can I show my attitude or win Master Fei Si’s favor?

The mechanical fire monkey affair has taught me.

I understand now—this is a world of power! Even my inventions, their glory can be snatched away in an instant.”

Elder Chen was stunned, then filled with deep guilt, about to speak.

Ning Zhuo interrupted him. “I’m not blaming you, Elder Chen. I know you have no choice.

These days, I’ve been studying ‘The Curved Serpent Array Collection’ and gained much from it.

Elder Chen, I understand.

I thank you for sharing your array insights, and for showing me the true face of this world.”

“So, I must climb!

I must rise above, become someone who stands above others!

Only by reaching certain heights can I protect my own interests. In the future, no one will easily strip me of my honor, no one will take my mechanical creations from me!”

Chen Cha fell silent.

Looking at the righteous, ambitious youth before him, eyes ablaze with determination, his heart was filled with complicated emotions.

Now he understood why Ning Zhuo had changed so much.

He no longer resented, no longer despised, no longer looked down on Ning Zhuo. Instead, his heart was full of guilt and remorse.

He knew: the youth before him was once so innocent—and it was he, Chen Cha, who had caused this change.

“What right do I have to criticize him?” Chen Cha sighed deeply.

He walked up to Ning Zhuo, grasped his shoulders. “Xiao Zhuo! I’m sorry. From now on, I’ll do everything I can to help you!”

Ning Zhuo’s face broke into a smile.

When he heard Chen Cha change his address from “Ning” back to “Xiao Zhuo,” he knew he had succeeded.