Chapter 641 406: Entering the Game (Part 2)

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback; he was merely assisting with the case, yet this man kept him back. Moreover, addressing him as 'little friend' made him feel uneasy, raising goosebumps.

Zhu Cheng heard the words, glanced at Duan Rong, and immediately bowed and retreated. Zhu Zhengfu clearly intended to speak with Duan Rong alone.

With Zhu Cheng gone, Duan Rong looked at Zhu Zhengfu with curiosity. Zhu Zhengfu smiled and said, "Little friend, don't rush to conclusions! Let the kitchen prepare a couple of dishes, we can chat while eating."

Duan Rong was even more puzzled: It's not even mealtime, yet they're preparing dishes. What is this old guy up to? Nonetheless, he kept a calm smile, replying, "I appreciate the hospitality, Lord Zhu!"

Zhu Zhengfu laughed and said, "No need to be polite, little friend."

The two chatted idly in the flower hall for a while, then Zhu Zhengfu invited Duan Rong to a study that seemed even more secluded.

The room featured an Eight Immortal table already set with several dishes and a pot of wine.

The two sat down; Zhu Zhengfu poured a cup of wine for Duan Rong and then for himself.

Zhu Zhengfu raised his cup, saying, "Little friend Duan, possessing youthful talent, his future is limitless! Come, I offer this toast, playing upon my seniority!"

Duan Rong immediately followed suit, raising his cup, "You overpraise me, my lord! How can I dare to accept such compliments?"

Each finished their wine.

Zhu Zhengfu encouraged Duan Rong to try several delicate dishes.

Zhu Zhengfu set his chopsticks down and suddenly said, "The incident where you called down heavenly lightning is already known to our ancestor. Our ancestor couldn't stop praising you, young friend!"

"Lord Zhu He?!" Duan Rong's eyes flickered as he spoke.

"Indeed! Our ancestor is none other than the Chairman of the sect's Internal History Department, Lord Zhu He!"

Duan Rong feigned surprise, saying: "Lord Zhu He already knows about this matter?"

"Naturally. Our ancestor has been paying attention to this case all along." Zhu Zhengfu smiled at Duan Rong, "Our ancestor praises you, saying your thoughts are meticulous and inclusive, destined to be unparalleled one day."

Duan Rong smiled slightly. He felt Zhu Zhengfu was trying to deceive him; he couldn't believe Zhu He would praise him in such a way.

This man is truly slick, with skin thicker than a city wall. In the officialdom, such a person is truly remarkable!

Duan Rong's reserved smile remained unnoticed by Zhu Zhengfu, who continued: "The ancestor also said that the most gratifying thing in the world is acquiring talents and educating them. Little friend, though you are still an Outer Disciple, you've already earned our ancestor's favor, which is indeed delightful and worthy of celebration! Come, let me toast you again!"

Duan Rong's heart trembled.

Zhu Zhengfu's words contained hidden meanings! It sounded as if Zhu He intended to recruit him, but the message remained shrouded, half-truths veiled.

Duan Rong promptly raised his cup, exchanged smiles, and emptied the wine.

Zhu Zhengfu set down his cup, then suddenly got up, walking to the study's depths. Returning to the table, he held a box of ancient manuscripts.

Zhu Zhengfu carefully placed the item on the table, saying, "Not only does little friend have the name of a divine investigator, but your poetic talent is equally remarkable. That poem, 'Early Morning Journey to Shang Mountain,' I had the privilege of reading; it's truly a great poem!"

Duan Rong smiled, "A mere pastime, nothing worth mentioning."

The poem 'Early Morning Journey to Shang Mountain' had been praised by Qin Xueyin and spread widely among cultural figures in Divine Cloud Prefecture; Zhu Zhengfu had learned of it two days ago, knowing it was written by Duan Rong, he promptly read through it carefully.

Zhu He had sent him a letter earlier, discussing the situation in Divine Cloud Prefecture and specifically instructing him to find an opportunity to win over Duan Rong.

In his haste, he agonized over ways to attract him, then saw the poem 'Early Morning Journey to Shang Mountain,' and immediately formed a plan.

Zhu Zhengfu said, "Little friend is too modest. Many things in this world are determined by talent. If they aren't accomplished before twenty years of age, they are unlikely ever to be realized."

As Zhu Zhengfu spoke, his tone surprisingly carried a hint of melancholy.

For a moment, Duan Rong saw a true emotion emerge from Zhu Zhengfu's clever face, causing him to pause slightly.

Zhu Zhengfu suddenly smiled, the fleeting melancholy on his face vanished instantly, reverting to his smooth and cunning visage.

"Since little friend is so talented in poetry, you must also be a lover of poetry," Zhu Zhengfu said as he gently caressed the box of ancient manuscripts, akin to a loving mother stroking her sleeping child. "This is a unique handwritten poetry manuscript by Gao Qingqiu, a man of extraordinary poetic talent. Little friend is sure to be spiritually connected with him. Giving this to you is akin to encountering a sagacious master!"

"Gao Qingqiu?!" Duan Rong's gaze shifted slightly upon hearing the name.

Gao Qingqiu was the most celebrated poet in this realm, deceased for over a thousand years. A native of Yongzhou, he traveled extensively in the Western Regions; his poetry seamlessly melded Buddhist and Daoist elements, possessing natural divine charm, with its mental realm akin to a traceless antelope crossing its path.

Duan Rong gently placed his hand on the poetry manuscript, inwardly reciting, "Read Artifact Spirit."

Instantly, a set of data appeared before Duan Rong.

Artifact: Gao Qingqiu's unique handwritten poetry manuscript

Artifact Spirit Tier: Tier Thirteen

Devouring Requirements: Host's Spiritual Power Level 13 (not satisfied)

Devouring Effect: Text Samadhi Level Twelve, Divine Charm Level Eight, Celestial Being Communication Level Three.

Duan Rong looked at the data appearing before him, slightly clicking his tongue. The Artifact Spirit Level of the poetry manuscript had reached Tier Thirteen, and even with his Divine Soul Strength from mastering the Eleventh Layer of the Fetal Concealment Scripture, he couldn't devour it.

Gao Qingqiu's poetry manuscript's Artifact Spirit was a tier higher than Ni Yunlin's 'Fisherman's Village in Autumn'.

Indeed, through a millennium, the soul of poetry remains undying!