Chapter 86 - 73: The Kidney-Seller’s Redemption

Chapter 86: Chapter 73: The Kidney-Seller’s Redemption

In the end,

Zhao Yong couldn’t stomach the humiliation of only having half a buttock’s worth of space. As soon as the dining tables were set, he used the excuse of needing to look after his Chief Mansion Official to squeeze in at the same table as Zhu Yan.

At least they were on good terms.

A good relationship meant you didn’t get stuck with half a seat.

But after sitting down, his expression was still quite sour.

Zhao Ci scoffed. ’You came here to piss me off, so don’t blame me for pissing you off first.’

’I might not be good at much else, but when it comes to pissing people off, I’ve never met my match!’

’I’m not sure what Zhao Yong is planning yet, but his presence is bound to make some people have second thoughts. It’s not necessarily a bad thing to filter them out ahead of time.’

The atmosphere in the hall grew a little strange.

After all, everyone knew about the relationship between the Ninth Prince and the Tenth Prince. They had just fought over the Hundred Refinements Furnace, and now they were clashing over the Gongdan Conference.

And Zhao Ci’s earlier introduction of Zhao Yong as his "Vice Envoy" had been dripping with aggression.

The guests had all planned to make a good impression on Zhao Ci, but with Zhao Yong’s arrival, they were suddenly at a loss.

They still had to perform,

but who to perform for—that had become the question.

Everyone present hoped to enter the Tenth Prince’s Mansion. Joining meant gaining access to the absolute best Cultivation Resources available to a commoner. There would be an unlimited supply of Top-Grade Qi Cultivation Pills, enough to push one’s physical body to its limits. Although Top-Grade Elixirs specifically for Body Refining, tendon strengthening, and bone forging existed in the world, they were almost completely out of reach for people like them.

However...

Many of them understood that accepting this offer meant they’d essentially be working for free when it came to merit. The benefits that could be exchanged for mansion-struggle merits would be almost impossible for them to obtain.

The Tenth Prince’s Mansion was simply too unique; almost all of its merits were generated through the elixir business. It would be incredibly difficult to earn merits any other way. By making such a generous offer, Zhao Ci was essentially laying his cards on the table.

But if they joined the Ninth Prince’s Mansion...

They had heard that during the Gongdan Conference, the twang of Zhao Yong’s tendons had been like a heavenly string, meaning his sinews were at least at the second grade—on par with the Crown Prince and the Fourth Prince in their youth. Zhu Yan was the foremost expert of the Zhu Family’s younger generation, and a genius from the Feng Family had also become one of his Mansion Officials.

His other Mansion Official, Zhuge Xiao, though crippled in both legs, was a true protégé of Zhuge Hong. He was the kind of badass who dared to escort seven Hundred Refinements Furnaces with just himself and his wheelchair.

If they could enter the Ninth Prince’s Mansion and build a career alongside these geniuses, they were certain to achieve great things. The resources might not even be worse than in the Tenth Prince’s Mansion. The merits certainly wouldn’t be lacking, and with the Crown Prince’s backing, their futures would be incredibly bright after the mansion-struggle.

It was a difficult choice...

Zhao Ci glanced at the whispering crowd and knew they were struggling with their decision, just like he had when he was a kid trying to choose between Tsinghua and Peking University.

’I have to admit, that bastard Zhao Yong is a real pot-stirrer. Just by showing up, he’s managed to mess with this many people’s heads.’

’Speaking of which, the guy seems to have gotten a lot more aggressive. He actually came in person.’

"Lao Shi!"

Zhao Yong seemed to have recovered from his earlier mood. He smiled at Yang Mo. "This gentleman, judging by your attire, you must be from the Dian Nan Yang Clan, correct? And dining at the same table as Brother Kucha, no less. I presume you’ve already become a Mansion Official of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion?

You know, the Great Yu’s system of mansion-struggle is truly a blessing for us disciples of the Zhao Clan. One man establishes a Prince’s Mansion, and all his dogs and chickens ascend to heaven with him.

Brother Yang, you shouldn’t feel too much pressure. Lao Shi is a sentimental fellow. You provided charcoal in a snowstorm for him; he won’t be demanding merits from you."

To be honest,

he really found it hilarious.

A few days ago, he’d heard that Feng Kucha had joined the Tenth Prince’s Mansion, and he’d almost died laughing.

He never thought that right after, a Yang Mo would show up too.

It reeked of that uncultured, "don’t forget me when you get rich" sentiment, with none of the focus needed to build a proper enterprise.

At these words, Yang Mo’s face turned incredibly ugly. He could only lower his head, his hands tightly gripping the fabric over his knees.

Zhu Li also glared daggers at Zhao Yong.

Feng Kucha looked disgusted and opened his mouth, ready to let fly a few choice words.

But Zhao Ci just smiled. "Indeed! Colleagues in the same mansion should naturally support each other. It’s just like with Brother Zhu Yan. During the Gongdan Conference, he was so thoroughly crushed by my Xiaozhuli that he couldn’t even lift his head, yet you, Brother Huang, never abandoned him. And even though you, Brother Huang, are so deep in merit debt, he still remains by your side.

Today, he even accompanied you here, and you, in turn, could forsake me, your little brother, to dine with him at the same table.

Such a bond... I’m moved to tears just watching.

From now on, the entire Tenth Prince’s Mansion will look to you as role models. Your benevolence and righteousness, Brother, are lessons I could study for a lifetime and never fully learn."

’You master and subordinate are as pathetic as stray dogs.’

’What the hell are you even talking about?!’

Zhu Li: "Hee hee hee hee hee..."

Zhao Yong: "???"

Zhu Yan: "???"

Yang Mo’s eyes suddenly widened, and he shot Zhao Ci a grateful look.

Zhao Ci smiled and made a small gesture with his hand, as if to say it was just a basic move, nothing to be impressed by. He really didn’t understand why some people loved to launch an attack from a losing position.

He glanced at Zhao Yong’s ugly expression, then stood up and walked to the front of the hall.

No matter what trouble Zhao Yong wanted to stir up, the martial arts sparring for the day had to proceed.

He raised his cup. "Tonight’s banquet has had a pleasant surprise. My Ninth Imperial Brother heard that I intended to recruit officials and came specially to help me vet the candidates. Everyone, you must be on your best behavior later. Don’t let my Ninth Imperial Brother’s good intentions go to waste. For this cup, I ask you all to join me in a toast to my Ninth Imperial Brother!"

"To the Ninth Prince!"

"To the Ninth Prince!"

"To the Ninth Prince!"

Everyone raised their cups in unison. Zhao Yong had no choice but to stand and drink as well, though he was secretly trying to decipher the meaning behind Zhao Ci’s words.

’Help me vet the candidates.’

’It sounds like a warning to them not to get any funny ideas.’

’But it was a threat that would be difficult to enforce.’