Chapter 257

258. Chapter 258: Jing Hongchen: Make You My Grandson-in-Law

"I wonder what business Hall Master Hongchen has with me this time?"

Bai Zhou sat down without ceremony and asked bluntly.

"Hehe, if I'm not mistaken, you're a Core Disciple of the Shrek Outer Court—Shrek is renowned as the top Academy on the Continent, a sacred place every Soul Master dreams of, yet you chose to leave the Shrek Academy…"

Jing Hongchen spoke softly, then his gaze suddenly turned sharp as he locked onto Bai Zhou, each word deliberate: "I want to know your true purpose for coming to the Sun Moon Empire!"

As Jing Hongchen spoke, an invisible pressure subtly enveloped Bai Zhou, clearly meant to increase his stress.

After all, under intense pressure, a person's smallest gestures become exaggerated, making it easier to discern their true intentions.

As an old hand, Jing Hongchen was well-versed in interrogation and believed he could easily control Bai Zhou.

Unfortunately…

"No special purpose—just to exchange advanced Soul Tool knowledge."

Bai Zhou completely ignored the pressure, shrugging casually in reply.

His tone was flat, his expression unchanged, as if stating a simple fact.

"Hehe, I see."

Hearing this, Jing Hongchen chuckled and continued: "If that's the case, would you be willing to sever all ties with Shrek and join my Mingde Hall?"

Jing Hongchen no longer bothered with subtlety—he laid out his true purpose outright.

Bai Zhou had anticipated this, but still hadn't expected Jing Hongchen to be so blunt; it left him momentarily stunned.

Seeing Bai Zhou's hesitation, Jing Hongchen softened his tone, gently coaxing: "You've been in Xuan Ziwen's Laboratory for quite some time—you must know that many top-tier Soul Tool secrets, Xuan Ziwen won't let you access; even what he exchanges with you are only slightly advanced Common Knowledge…"

"But if you join Mingde Hall, I, Jing Hongchen, swear on my honor: Mingde Hall will grant you access to all its peak technologies! Whatever you wish to learn, we'll give it to you!"

"Moreover, I know you have exceptional talent in martial soul cultivation. If you join Mingde Hall, every resource you need for cultivation—including appropriate Level 9 Fixed Soul Tools and even soul bones suited to you—anything Mingde Hall possesses, we'll provide you with priority and free of charge."

Bai Zhou was stunned again.

He'd guessed Jing Hongchen would offer good terms, but never imagined they'd be this generous.

These terms are even better than Shrek's…

At Shrek, resources are plentiful, but you must earn them yourself.

Here, with Jing Hongchen, everything is given freely the moment you join—essentially handed to you on a silver platter…

This is getting interesting…

Not only Bai Zhou—even Meng Hongchen beside him felt her head spin at these terms.

As Jing Hongchen's granddaughter, she knew Mingde Hall's true depth.

Now, her grandfather was offering to open all of it to Bai Zhou, letting him pick freely… these terms were too good…

Many things, even she wasn't allowed to touch…

"Could it be… Grandpa is doing this for me? Yes, it must be—by keeping Bai Zhou here, I'll have a strong chance, and then Bai Zhou will become Grandpa's grandson-in-law… With his incredible talent, Grandpa treating him this well makes sense…"

"Wu wu wu, Grandpa really cares for me—far better than that jerk Xiao Hongchen!"

Meng Hongchen nearly cried from self-pity.

Her gaze toward Bai Zhou now carried an unexpected blush and anticipation.

She clearly hoped he'd accept immediately.

Bai Zhou naturally noticed the change in her eyes; his mouth twitched.

"Is this girl imagining some weird nonsense again…" Bai Zhou thought, exasperated.

"Cough, Bai student, you've probably noticed—my granddaughter might have feelings for you…"

As a Level 9 Soul Tool Master, Jing Hongchen had sensed Meng Hongchen's heart flutter, so he smoothly added: "If you're willing to join Mingde Hall as my assistant, I can arrange for my granddaughter Meng Hongchen to become your wife." As Jing Hongchen finished speaking, both Bai Zhou and Meng Hongchen froze in place.

"Grandpa… what are you saying…"

Meng Hongchen's face flushed crimson; she pinched Jing Hongchen hard, wishing she could vanish into the ground…

She liked Bai Zhou, but she couldn't have him hear this so bluntly…

And her grandfather had treated her like a bargaining chip—that was too much…

Still, if Bai Zhou accepted, she wouldn't entirely reject it…

Meng Hongchen's mind was in chaos; she kept her head down, too ashamed to look up.

"Cough, Hall Master Hongchen, let me think about this…"

Bai Zhou cleared his throat and quickly explained: "I've only been in the Sun Moon Empire for half a month—I don't know it well yet."

"Give me a month. If I find it suitable here, I'll accept your terms."

Bai Zhou spoke slowly, ultimately choosing to delay.

He truly wanted a period of peace right now—mainly to secure Orange first.

Once Orange had no worries, his future moves would be far easier.

Even if he failed, he could flee with Orange.

"Haha, good, good, good—I'll give Bai student one month to decide. During this time, I'll have Xuan Ziwen grant you partial access to Mingde Hall's Core Knowledge for study. Don't disappoint me; our Hongchen Family greatly needs talents like you."

Jing Hongchen laughed heartily.

It seemed like a favor, but his tone carried unmistakable threat.

If Bai Zhou chose to stay after a month, everyone would be happy—family united.

If Bai Zhou refused after a month, Jing Hongchen would forcibly reclaim the "Core Knowledge" he'd revealed.

How would he reclaim it…

By cutting open the skull and taking it back.

"Very well, thank you, Hall Master Hongchen."

Seeing Jing Hongchen agree, Bai Zhou bowed slightly, silently sighing inside…

Cherish this time while you can.

For now, I can still address you as Hall Master Hongchen.

In one month, you'll just be an old codger named Hongchen.

"By the way, my granddaughter will also be studying under Xuan Ziwen from now on; I hope you, Student Bai, will look after her."

"You two are about the same age and should have plenty to talk about, so I won't disturb you any longer, haha~"

Jing Hongchen stood up, directly pulled Meng Hongchen over, then let out a hearty laugh before turning and leaving immediately.

"Wait, Grandpa, you..."

Meng Hongchen looked completely bewildered.

Bai Zhou was equally bewildered.

The two stared at each other in confusion.

For a moment, the room fell into an inexplicable silence.

(End of Chapter)