Fei Si saw Zhu Xuanji off but did not leave himself. Instead, he turned around and went back to the flying disc workshop.
He stared at Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo, then focused his gaze on Ning Zhuo.
Suddenly, he released the pressure of his Golden Core.
Caught off guard, Ning Zhuo was forced to his knees.
Chen Cha was shocked: "Lord Fei Si, what is this…?"
Fei Si sneered: "Recently, the Monkey Head Gang has suffered multiple blows. More than thirty percent of their pet monkeys were poisoned."
"Upon investigation, we discovered someone was willing to spend a lot of money, long ago, to hunt wild monkeys. Moreover, they offered a hefty bounty on the black market for the lives of the Monkey Head Gang's pet monkeys."
"Not only that, but the current gang leader Yuan Er was also targeted for assassination. The assassin was so brazen, they even sent a death threat letter before their attempt. Although the assassination failed because of this, Yuan Er was scared out of his wits and now cowers at the gang's headquarters, no longer daring to venture out."
Fei Si glared at Ning Zhuo: "Are you the one behind all this?"
Ning Zhuo was nearly crushed to the ground by the overwhelming Golden Core pressure. His face turned pale, sweat streaming down, as he struggled to withstand the pressure and managed to speak with difficulty: "Lord Fei Si, if you ask me this way, of course, I will deny it."
"I have new monkey mechanisms, with new blueprints, that can be produced quickly to meet the current demand!"
Fei Si raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to look at Chen Cha.
Worried about Ning Zhuo's life, Chen Cha quickly nodded: "Lord Fei Si, that's right. The new monkey mechanisms use fewer materials and simpler processes, but their quality decreases significantly; they won't last long."
Fei Si asked further: "Can they pick Fire Persimmons?"
Chen Cha nodded: "That's not a problem."
Fei Si's expression softened as he slowly withdrew his Golden Core pressure, looking down at Ning Zhuo: "Get up."
"Thank you, Lord." Ning Zhuo stood up shakily, sweat-drenched, lips bitten to bleed, and nosebleed reappearing, looking quite miserable.
Fei Si pointed at Ning Zhuo: "You have a bit of cleverness, Ning Zhuo, right? I'll remember you."
Ning Zhuo immediately showed a hint of joy: "To be remembered by you, Lord, is such an honor. I swear on my life, I will produce enough monkey mechanisms to meet the needs of the Fire Persimmon Festival."
Fei Si hummed in acknowledgment, satisfied with Ning Zhuo's statement, and his demeanor softened even more.
Ning Zhuo continued: "Lord, according to my new blueprint, making the monkey mechanisms is best done by using monkeys as materials."
"Didn't a lot of the Monkey Head Gang's pet monkeys die? We need these monkey corpses as raw materials."
"I hope you will give your permission!"
Hearing this, Fei Si squinted his eyes and re-evaluated Ning Zhuo.
He stroked his beard, feeling a bit of admiration for Ning Zhuo: "This young man is ruthless, aiming to bring down the Monkey Head Gang completely."
"He understands clearly: the Explosive Flame Monkey business relies on picking Fire Persimmons. And the Monkey Head Gang controls this business. So, he wants to topple the Monkey Head Gang."
"He wants to use my power to get monkey corpses. Can Yuan Er refuse? But if he agrees, where does his authority as a leader stand?"
"Clever, with methods."
"Just like me, just like when I was young."
If Ning Zhuo had Golden Core cultivation, or even Foundation Establishment cultivation, Fei Si would have felt a sense of threat.
But Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Refinement stage, and still a youth. This put no pressure on Fei Si.
Thinking this, Fei Si showed a meaningful smile: "This is interesting. How much money do you think should be offered to buy monkey corpses from the Monkey Head Gang?"
Ning Zhuo didn't hesitate and replied directly: "I am willing to give up forty percent of the profits. From now on, forty percent of the Explosive Flame Monkey mechanism's profits will be yours, Lord!"
Fei Si pretended to be puzzled: "What does this have to do with me?"
Ning Zhuo immediately said: "Lord Fei Si, you are the governor of Fire Persimmon Immortal City; how can anything not be related to you?"
"On the other hand, the Monkey Head Gang is stained with blood, exploiting the people, yet they don't know gratitude."
"They should contribute more to Fire Persimmon Immortal City, and think more about you, Lord Fei Si."
"Those monkeys are dead; they will only be buried. Instead, let us use them to solve the problems for the Fire Persimmon Festival and add to the Fire Persimmon Immortal City!"
Fei Si laughed heartily, pointing at Ning Zhuo: "Very good, Ning Zhuo, you have high awareness, quite good indeed. You are a good seedling for the Righteous Path!"
"I will have my subordinates demand the monkey corpses and send them to you."
Ning Zhuo gave a deep bow: "Thank you, Lord."
Chen Cha, witnessing all of this, had a very complicated expression.
After Fei Si left, Ning Zhuo faced Chen Cha with sincerity: "Old Chen, I'm sorry. I had to do this!"
Chen Cha sighed, unable to hide his resentment: "Since Lord Fei Si has approved, what else can I say?"
He loathed such cut corners and insufficient materials from the core.
This purely profiteering behavior did not respect his mechanism works, equating to not respecting himself.
Chen Cha's emotions were all within Ning Zhuo's expectations.
The young cultivator had long prepared, saying immediately: "Old Chen, I will come to the workshop frequently from now on. I will also participate in making the monkey mechanisms!"
"After all, I just vouched with my life to Lord Fei Si."
At this, a worried look appeared on Chen Cha's face: "Brother Ning, what you're doing is too risky."
"Don't make such rash guarantees in the future. What if something unexpected happens and you can't complete it?"
"You have the Ning Family's status, no need for guarantees. Even, even Lord Fei Si is wary of causing trouble."
But Ning Zhuo clenched his fist, interrupting Chen Cha: "Old Chen, if I don't guarantee it, how can I show my stance and win Lord Fei Si's favor?"
"The Explosive Flame Monkey mechanism made me understand."
"I realized this is a world of power! Even if it's something I invented, the honor can be easily taken away by others."
Old Chen froze, then deep guilt appeared on his face, just about to speak.
Ning Zhuo interrupted: "I'm not blaming you, Old Chen. I know you were also forced."
"These days, I've been studying the Formation Manual of the Curved Snake Shaking Trigger. It benefited me greatly."
"Old Chen, I can understand."
"I thank you. Thanks for giving me your formation insights, and for letting me see the true face of this world."
"So, I want to climb!"
"I want to climb to the top, to become someone of importance!"
"Only by climbing high enough can I defend my rights. In the future, no one can easily strip away my honor; no one can take away my mechanism creations!!"
Chen Cha fell silent.
Looking at the determined and ambitious youth in front of him, his eyes sparkling with ambition, Chen Cha was filled with complex emotions.
He now understood why Ning Zhuo had such a personality change.
He no longer resented, disliked, or looked down on Ning Zhuo. On the contrary, he felt deeply guilty and self-blaming.
He knew: the once innocent youth in front of him changed because of him, Chen Cha.
"Then what right do I have to criticize him?" Chen Cha sighed deeply in his heart.
He walked up to Ning Zhuo and placed his hand on Ning Zhuo's shoulder: "Little Zhuo! I have wronged you, but since things have come to this, I will fully support you!"
Ning Zhuo smiled brightly.
When he heard Chen Cha revert from calling him "Brother Ning" to "Little Zhuo," he knew he had succeeded.