Chapter 93 - 76: Arrogance, the Blade of Self-Destruction (Part 2)

Chapter 93: Chapter 76: Arrogance, the Blade of Self-Destruction (Part 2)

Everyone: "!!!"

’So it’s not just His Highness who could see our true strength.’

’The Chief Mansion Official could see it too.’

’The Tenth Prince’s Mansion used to be so obscure. How come everyone in it has such a sharp eye for talent!’

’Looks like we came to the right place!’

The banquet ended.

The five new Quasi-Mansion Officials followed Zhu Li into the main hall of the Tenth Prince’s Mansion, where they were greeted by the sight of a smiling Zhao Ci.

The men bowed in unison.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

"We’re all on the same side now, no need for formalities. Please, have a seat!"

Zhao Ci gestured for them to sit, a smile on his face.

Only then did they take their seats. They each noticed a wooden box by their hand, stamped with the name of the Xingyu Pill Association, and their hearts pounded with excitement.

If they weren’t mistaken, the boxes should contain the Top-Grade Qi Cultivation Pills that Zhao Ci had promised them.

They had never considered themselves mediocre; their fundamentals were all exceptionally solid.

The problem was that their families couldn’t afford it, and they were unwilling to become household servants for the great clans. What they lacked were Cultivation Resources.

Zhao Ci smiled faintly. "Placed to your left are three Top-Grade Qi Cultivation Pills, as well as a contract to join the Tenth Prince’s Mansion as a Mansion Official upon passing the Prefecture Examination. If you are willing, sign your names. From then on, we will be comrades-in-arms for the next three years—or perhaps even a lifetime."

Three pills!

Everyone’s eyes lit up. It was three times the amount they had been told to expect.

Xiao Shenke immediately clasped his hands and declared, "If Your Highness had not intervened today, my right hand would have been crippled. If I am fortunate enough to become a Mansion Official for the Tenth Prince’s Mansion, I will spare no effort! Regardless of the outcome, I will serve you loyally for the rest of my life!"

With that, he signed the contract without a second thought.

Once he took the lead, the others signed their contracts without hesitation.

Putting aside everything else, the fact that Zhao Ci would stand up for them—people who weren’t even his Mansion Officials yet—and personally enter the fray at his own risk... a boss like that was worth following.

Besides, this Tenth Prince wasn’t the weak, mediocre man of the rumors at all. Not only was he a prodigy in the Alchemy Realm, but his Flesh Soul was also terrifyingly powerful. Following him would definitely lead to a bright future.

The corners of Zhao Ci’s mouth couldn’t help but curve upward. ’I should really give Zhao Yong a gold star,’ he thought.

’Good old Yongzi, always there to lend a hand when I need it most!’

’I was just worrying about how to establish my authority with the new Mansion Officials and whether they’d be loyal enough!’

’And what does he do? He serves Bao Longtao up on a silver platter.’

’He manufactured a conflict...’

’And gave me a chance to christen my spear.’

’What a great guy!’

’And I have Zhu Yan to thank, too. If he hadn’t blocked that attack, some people might not have realized who the real masterminds were.’

But in the end, this all came down to Zhao Yong’s deep-seated contempt for experts of common birth. There were plenty of ways to cause trouble, yet he chose the most extreme one.

"Excellent!"

Zhao Ci stood up and laughed heartily. "To have your commitment is truly my good fortune! All of you should have been prodigies, held back only by a lack of resources. Use these Qi Cultivation Pills to make up for what you’ve been missing. Passing the Prefecture Examination will be no problem at all."

"From now on, if we work together as one, we will undoubtedly achieve great things and leave our names in the annals of history!"

"There’s still some time before the Prefecture Examination. If you’re amenable, why not stay here at the Tenth Prince’s Mansion?"

"My uncle often comes by to visit. Perhaps he can even give you some pointers on your martial arts."

’Xiang Yunzhan has been bringing the young lads from the Xiang Family over to distill spirits every day, while he himself just idles around with nothing to do.’

’It’s time to find him something to do!’

HISS...

The men’s eyes instantly shone. Everyone knew Zhao Ci’s maternal relatives were the Jing Chu Xiang Family. This "uncle" couldn’t possibly be the late Marquis Zhonglie, Xiang Tiange, but that generation of the Xiang Family was filled with prodigious talents, every one of them a master from the military.

Having a master of that caliber give them pointers on their martial arts would be countless times more effective than just training on their own.

The men all thanked him profusely. "Thank you, Your Highness!"

Zhao Ci smiled. "It’s getting late. You might as well stay the night. Cultivate for an evening, and you can move the rest of your luggage in tomorrow!"

He watched as a servant led the men to their quarters.

He stretched contentedly.

’Getting Xiang Yunzhan to come and guide them was, for now, just dangling a carrot,’ he mused. ’After all, he’s a general who used to be a total badass. Having him teach a few rookies is honestly beneath him.’

’But maybe not.’

’Everything’s a matter of persuasion.’

Feng Kucha sounded a little jealous. "Zhao Ci, when did you get so strong?"

Zhao Ci retorted, "What? You’re not happy about it?"

Feng Kucha was momentarily speechless. "I’m happy, of course I’m happy, but you’re a little *too* strong! It’s ridiculous!"

Zhao Ci slung an arm around his neck. "Once the Prefecture Examination is over and you get the Ten Thousand Wood Roots, you’ll definitely be this strong too. So what are you being so sour about now?"

"True!"

Feng Kucha felt that sounded about right, and his mood instantly brightened. He glanced at the sky outside, then tugged on Yang Mo—who was lost in thought—and the two of them said their goodbyes and left.

"Yang Mo..."

Zhao Ci watched Yang Mo’s departing figure with a meaningful look. ’I need to find a time to fulfill Yang Mo’s wish soon,’ he thought to himself.

’A golden wish... It’s the first time I’ve ever seen one. And that Divine Cocoon talent is enough to make anyone green with envy.’

’It’s just that the guy’s family upbringing was extremely twisted. Helping him overcome his fear won’t be easy.’

But...

’Still, Zhao Ci didn’t understand. How could an ordinary, illegitimate son of the Dian Nan Yang Clan possibly generate a golden wish?’

’It just doesn’t fucking make sense!’

"Zhao Ci..."

"Hmm?"

"Your Highness!"

Zhu Li quickly corrected herself.

Only then did Zhao Ci ask, "What’s up?"

Zhu Li’s eyes seemed to sparkle. "When you were sticking up for my boys back there, you were surprisingly chivalrous!"

Zhao Ci: "..."

’They’re your ’boys’ already?’

He looked into her eyes, which seemed to hold the glimmer of a fangirl’s adoration.

Her gaze actually made him a little embarrassed. "Don’t you think I might have had other motives?"