Chapter 274: Where Is the Mastermind?

Almost all the invited people had arrived, and the presiding elder stepped onto the stage.

The hall quickly quieted down.

The presiding elder: "Distinguished guests, today we gather here, not only for colleagues and relatives to converse but also to work together for the benefit of the common people."

"Before the old director Li Leifeng passed away, he was still concerned about the problem of his successor."

"Now, it has been resolved in the most appropriate way."

"Lord Zhu Hou comes from the Southern Bean royal family and is known for his benevolence and magnanimity; he will inherit the position of director of the Childcare Garden and take on the heavy responsibility of the director."

"I now invite Lord Zhu to the stage to speak and give his guidance."

A broad and stout middle-aged man with a smile on his face walked onto the stage.

Today, Zhu Hou was wearing a green satin robe, adorned with jade pendants at his waist, his gait steady. Every move revealed the majesty of the Zhu family royal line.

He stood on the stage, cupped his hands, looked around, and let out a hearty laugh.

"Fellow Daoists, I am truly terrified to take on the position of director of the Childcare Garden today."

"The path of charity is to seek welfare for the common people and to practice benevolence and virtue. The benevolent heart and broad aid of the former director, Li Leifeng, make me feel deep admiration; today I shall inherit his will and continue to carry forward this good cause."

"In the future, this garden will expand its support for orphans and even poor students. The money donated by you kind people will definitely be used for saving the world and helping the common people of the world, down to the last cent. Here, I am willing to lead by example and donate 100, 00 spirit stones first to show my sincerity!"

Zhu Hou held this handover ceremony naturally with a purpose.

The main purpose was to make a formal appearance and raise the first sum of charitable funds since taking office.

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Xuanji's voice came from the third floor: "Good! Clan Uncle Zhu Hou spoke very well; I, Zhu Xuanji, also donate 100, 00 spirit stones to congratulate my uncle on his succession."

Zhu Xuanji had come here with the intention of supporting and backing Zhu Hou, and at this moment, he did not hesitate to act decisively.

The amount he donated was very interesting—only 100, 00, the same as Zhu Hou.

This made everyone else who heard it feel relieved, not feeling pressure, and instead eager to donate next.

However, these people also knew the rules and didn't immediately speak up.

They were waiting for someone else.

The next moment, the Jin Dan true disciple of the Purple Cloud Pavilion indeed spoke up, announcing a donation of 100, 00 spirit stones.

As soon as he finished speaking, Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately shouted one after another, and the sound of donations followed one after another, endless for a time.

For a time, the atmosphere in the pavilion was very enthusiastic.

The atmosphere in the private room, however, was oppressive.

Ning Zhuo sat in the position below Zhu Xuanji; after entering and sitting down, he didn't say a word and hadn't touched the exquisite spirit food and tea on the round table even once.

Zhu Xuanji turned his head slightly, staring at Ning Zhuo with eyes containing hidden golden light, and smiled: "Seeing this scene now, Ning Zhuo, what are your thoughts?"

Ning Zhuo raised his eyes and looked at Zhu Xuanji. The latter's smile, in Ning Zhuo's feeling, was like a beast opening its bloody mouth.

Ning Zhuo's heart felt like it was being pressed by a huge stone, his gaze not dodging at all.

He said calmly: "I naturally hope that Lord Zhu Hou can do what he says. I hope the Childcare Garden in Fire Persimmon Immortal City can do better and better."

"It will." Zhu Xuanji said immediately; he had full confidence in Zhu Hou.

The smile on his face deepened: "I saw your name in the donation records of the Childcare Garden."

"You have also donated several sums of money to the Childcare Garden in the past."

"Why don't you donate a little on such an important day today?"

Ning Zhuo took a light breath.

He tried to make himself calmer, but the pressure in his heart increased dramatically!

Because he was very clear that Zhu Xuanji's seemingly ordinary question hid a huge threat. If he didn't respond carefully, he would fall into the other party's trap.

This round of confrontation between him and Zhu Xuanji had officially begun!

The excitement outside had nothing to do with him.

Even the noise, instead, set off his loneliness and hardship at this moment.

Zhu Xuanji had already delivered a sword move like a high-level assassin. On the surface, it looked plain, but Ning Zhuo was certain that the other party must have exquisite follow-up moves. Once he responded poorly, he would lose step by step, likely being suppressed until he had no hope of winning again!

Ning Zhuo frowned slightly, thoughts flashing like lightning in his mind, carefully weighing his words, and said cautiously: "Cultivate oneself to be good, and help the world when one is successful. Although I am pragmatic, I also have ideals."

"Moreover, I also received the care of Lord Li Leifeng when I was young; he had grace toward me."

Then, Ning Zhuo changed the subject: "Of course, I also have selfishness."

"You know, I want to split the family."

"I want to build my own family!"

"I've already been doing it, but for a force to develop and grow, fresh blood and outside talent are also needed."

"Especially since my foundation is too shallow, the more newcomers, the better!"

"This is why I have been donating over this period of time."

"There will be more such donations in the future!"

Ning Zhuo smiled, then immediately became expressionless: "The Childcare Garden's policy is very excellent; how much talent has it netted for the righteous path forces of the Southern Bean Kingdom."

"I am a Ning family member, and I am also of the righteous path; of course, I also want a share of the pie."

"Look, Lord Zhu, I paid money; this is in accordance with the rules."

"As for why I didn't donate today? Heh!"

"Today is not appropriate. I am currently managing the black market, and my righteous path identity is not so bright, so I won't be a spoiler of this atmosphere."

"If I want to donate, I can donate secretly in the future, and I can also reach my goal; why do such an annoying thing?"

After hearing Ning Zhuo's response, Zhu Xuanji fell into a brief silence.

Ning Zhuo wanted to split the family, wanted to build his own force—Zhu Xuanji was very clear about this.

Ning Zhuo had mentioned this matter to Ning Jiufan many times in front of him!

Even Zhu Xuanji felt that this kid had quite a bit of courage. A mere Qi Refining stage, and he dared to speak to his family's Jin Dan ancestor like this.

Zhu Xuanji appreciated Ning Zhuo.

To be precise, he appreciated him quite a bit.

Especially after hearing Ning Zhuo's response, it made him understand Ning Zhuo even more—this young man in front of him had definitely been tempered! He was clear about the rules of the righteous path game; although young, he was as cunning and experienced as an old fox. He had very clear goals, cared about the feelings of others, and could empathize.

Ning Zhuo was both hypocritical and sincere.

And this kind of righteous path hypocrisy, falling on such a small young man, actually had many lovely points.

Ning Zhuo's response was excellent.

This answer increased Zhu Xuanji's favor toward him quite a bit.

Zhu Xuanji laughed loudly, breaking the silence: "Even if there is selfishness, as long as one knows gratitude, it is the righteous path. In this world, who doesn't have selfishness?"

"Even for me, spending my whole life observing the people, investigating cases, and pursuing criminals, a considerable part of the purpose is to maintain the royal family."

"Ning Zhuo, your nature is not bad; acting uprightly, your future is vast. However, in life, there will always be countless wrong paths. I have seen many people with good natures who, due to a momentary mistake, embarked on a wrong path and created sin. By the time they regret it, it is already too late."

Speaking of this, Zhu Xuanji stared at Ning Zhuo with a solemn face.

Clearly not using any magic power, yet from his tone and demeanor, he displayed a powerful oppressive force.

Ning Zhuo took a light breath, his gaze dodging, and a flash of lightning seemed to cross his mind.

He quickly saw through Zhu Xuanji's intention: "He is trying to win me over?"

Realizing this, Ning Zhuo's heart immediately became active.

"If Zhu Xuanji discovered I was the culprit, he would never treat me like this, but would take me down directly!"

"Inferring from his character, he must have discovered the suspicious points about me, but wants to follow my line to fish out the mastermind!"

But where is there any mastermind?

Ning Zhuo is the one who bombed the Immortal Palace, laid out the trial levels, killed Qi Bai in the city, framed his own family's genius Ning Xiaohui, directed the Jin Dan melee, shelled the volcano leading to the beast tide, and planned the Cloud Merchant theft case!

"In Zhu Xuanji's heart, I have great value; he wants to turn me. If there really were a mastermind, he might even let me act as a witness."

"So, has it already reached the third line of defense?"

Ning Zhuo's heart fluctuated.

To compete for the Molten Lava Immortal Palace, he had carefully woven several lines of defense.

The first line of defense was to constantly act and create various evidence after the age of two, scattered in his growth trajectory.

When people investigate here, they will think Ning Zhuo has mechanical talent, and they will think it is reasonable for him to develop mechanical fire-exploding monkeys and the like.

The second line of defense was the identity of the "Tiao-Tiao Guest."

The third line of defense would be to think that Ning Zhuo was used, was an accomplice, but not the mastermind. After all, this youth was only sixteen years old and had only just come out of school, with only mid-level Qi Refining cultivation.

Ning Zhuo relaxed slightly; the situation hadn't reached the final step—using force and fighting Zhu Xuanji head-on.

"But what clue did Zhu Xuanji get to bypass the second line of defense and reach the third?"

Ning Zhuo couldn't think of the answer to this question.

He could only guess: "Was Han Ming caught? Did Sun Lingtong steal the treasure, leading to clues provided by the Cloud Merchants?"

"Or... the Childcare Garden?"

Ning Zhuo lacked key information, and even with his intelligence, he couldn't determine the truth.

He thought with all his might, sweat appearing on his forehead.

Seeing his miserable appearance, Zhu Xuanji didn't let him off and pursued: "Regarding what I just said, Ning Zhuo, what are your insights?"

"Do you think your own path is the right path, or a wrong path?"

Ning Zhuo's pressure increased dramatically!

At this moment, he felt Zhu Xuanji was like a sword thrust at his throat.

How to respond?

This was very critical!

Probe?

If not careful, it would anger Zhu Xuanji.

Remain silent?

This was completely giving up the initiative, which would convey a tacit meaning to Zhu Xuanji.

In Ning Zhuo's mind, countless thoughts were produced crazily and disappeared rapidly.

In just a few breaths, he already felt his mouth dry.