Chapter 1097 - 916: Volunteering a Proposal

With Feng Xi's status, he wouldn't easily come knocking, but coming personally must mean he knows I'm home.

It's not easy to refuse a visit; such matters need facing once they arrive, otherwise, it's like trying to escape the inevitable.

After some deep consideration, Shi Chun waved and said, "Return."

Upon their return, the guards had already received Feng Chi's message, treating Feng Xi and his entourage as honored guests, as it wouldn't be right for someone of their status to stand waiting at the door.

In the living room, Feng Xi, despite being an elderly man, still wore splendid attire, boasting a handsome appearance.

Two attendants stood at the door, making it seem like this was the territory of the Phoenix Clan, causing Shi Chun, who arrived hurriedly, to feel slightly discontented. Sweeping his gaze inside, he met Feng Xi's intense eyes.

Feng Xi may not know Shi Chun, but Shi Chun certainly knows Feng Xi, having seen him after disguising himself with Situ Gu on the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain.

Shi Chun paused slightly at the door before quickly walking inside, greeting all with clasped hands, saying, "Apologies, apologies. Xun Gate has let many people into the city, currently checking them within the city. I wasn't aware of the Phoenix Clan Leader's presence and made you wait. It's my fault, please forgive me."

Feng Xi assessed this up-and-coming rising star before shaking his head, acknowledging, "Indeed, there are many people. I thought of waiting until fewer people were around, but judging from the bustling scene, waiting ten days or half a month wouldn't help. So, even I squeezed in amongst the crowd, making it a rare experience. Commander Shi, it's my presumption to visit, I apologize for being abrupt."

"It's an honor for the Clan Leader to come," Shi Chun replied courteously, quickly signaling Feng Chi to serve tea.

Feng Xi glanced at Feng Chi a few times, discerning her identity as he had heard of her before. He felt slightly disdainful of her, primarily because of her 'Feng' surname, and more so because of her brothel background, which sullied the 'Feng' name. However, he refrained from commenting.

After exchanging pleasantries with the host and guests, Feng Xi didn't wish to waste time with someone who hadn't yet made a mark on the grand stage. Compared to him, Shi Chun's stature was too low. Changing the topic, he said, "Commander Shi, I heard that during the Yanfu Continent expedition, you gave Commander Wu Jinliang a magical treasure for defense?"

Shi Chun's heart skipped a beat, realizing this was indeed the focus. Previously, he had expected inquiries from higher-ups, but instead, the Phoenix Clan Leader had come directly. Maintaining a facade of inquiry, he said, "I did gift Wu Jinliang several defense treasures, not sure which one the Clan Leader is referring to?"

He exaggerated intentionally a bit.

A few pieces? Fine, Feng Xi patiently elaborated, "I heard that during the attack by Nanshan Yu Yifu's group, Wu Jinliang relied on a defense array to repel attacks from Heavenly Immortal Realm experts. The item I'm referring to is that particular one."

Shi Chun responded, "Indeed, without that treasure, Wu Jinliang might not have been able to take away trillions worth of Sandalwood Gold. The Clan Leader mentioned this treasure, may I inquire about the intention?"

Feng Xi straightforwardly stated, "On our Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain, a Mountain Protection Array named 'Beidou Refusal Array' has guarded our mountain for countless years, being our clan's ultimate defense treasure. The rumored efficacy of Wu Jinliang's weapon seems akin to this array. Having heard it's in Commander Shi's possession, I'm quite curious, hence my visit for a look."

Shi Chun thought to himself that the Phoenix Clan is shameless, claiming the array belongs to them when it's obviously the Golden-haired Rat Clan's. But treasures are naturally claimed by those capable; they aren't bound to their origin.

He dared affirm that if it weren't for his current status, the Phoenix Clan would not have been so polite, nor would the Clan Leader have personally visited, likely opting to seize it.

Conversely, without his current status, he wouldn't dare let 'Beidou Refusal Array' appear easily.

Of course, he wouldn't easily reveal the array now either, thus feigning wonder, "Is the Clan Leader suggesting I expose the Life Protection Array for your observation?"

This question hit the awkward spot; it's the man's life-saving asset, the key reason for repelling the attack on Yanfu Continent, and now they want it revealed for study—is that appropriate?

Implicitly, the question is self-evident: Why should I?

Feng Xi understood but avoided the main issue, "Just asking Commander Shi to bring it out for me to see its function, not to delve into the array's mysteries."

This statement carried a bit of sincerity; he decisively couldn't ascertain if what Wu Jinliang used in Yanfu Continent was indeed the 'Beidou Refusal Array'. One primary reason was Nanshan's reluctance to disclose the defeat, preferring not to publicize it, leaving information unclear.

However, the few words revealed had already sparked speculation within the Phoenix Clan.

Shi Chun sighed and shook his head, saying, "The Clan Leader might have come at an inopportune time. Recently, I'm not sure why, but many have shown interest in this treasure. The Clan Leader isn't the first to visit; it's too late, as the treasure has already been borrowed by someone, for similar reasons—to view."

Feng Xi was taken aback, leaning slightly forward, urgently asking, "Who borrowed it?"

Shi Chun shook his head again, "I can't say, and without permission, I dare not disclose. Faced with circumstances, I had no choice but to lend it out." He hoped the Clan Leader could understand his predicament.

He too put on a deep mystery.

Now the item is in his hands, with his current identity and status, if he doesn't want to show it, we really can't do anything about it with normal methods.

In short, one sentence blocked Feng Xi from insisting on checking it further. He stared into Shi Chun's eyes for a while, took a deep breath, and took a step back, asking, "Do you know when it will be returned?"

Shi Chun leaned slightly closer and whispered, "A good treasure shouldn't be revealed. During the Battle of Great Pardon, I had several sets of treasure armor that vanished without a trace after being borrowed. It's a lesson learned. Not to conceal it from the clan leader, I'm more worried about whether it will ever be returned."

He said this without any pressure. When it's needed for use, it's considered returned; when not used, it's considered not returned.

"..." Feng Xi was speechless, slowly reached out to pick up the tea cup, blew lightly, tasted it with no real flavor, pondered for a moment, put down the cup, and asked, "Commander Shi, what is the name of those magical treasures, and where did you get them from?"

Shi Chun replied smoothly, "I really don't know what that treasure is called, and its origin can be said to be somewhat unscrupulous. Speaking frankly, during the Battle of Great Pardon, I indeed committed some acts of killing others for treasures, snatching several magical treasures from a Yanbao Sect disciple named 'Zhe Yuren', among which was this treasure. I didn't dare ask Yanbao Sect what it's called, and have indeed been pondering naming these treasures."

Killing and seizing treasures? Feng Xi remembered the matter of Feng Yin's 'Evil-slaying Spear' being snatched and guessed it also ended up in the opponent's hands.

Because the Phoenix Clan participated in the Battle of Great Pardon, he paid some attention to the process and knew the opponent indeed killed disciples from the Yanbao Sect. As for what specific treasures were taken, that was unclear.

Anyway, during the fight, killing and robbing were not limited to Yanbao Sect disciples. Disciples from Thunder Sound Sect, Water Mansion, and more were angered, including people from the Phoenix Clan feeling somewhat disgraceful.

This person indeed killed many and snatched numerous treasures. The Sky Splitting Sword from Yanbao Sect seems to still be in his hands, boosting his foundation significantly during the Battle of Great Pardon.

If he hadn't cloaked himself with the identity of a Heavenly Court Official and engaged intensely in power struggles and fights in the Heavenly Domain, drawing much attention, he likely would have been killed with no remains long ago.

Feng Xi, after contemplating, squinted slightly, "How could a mere Yanbao Sect disciple participating in the Battle of Great Pardon possess such treasures?"

Shi Chun puzzled, "Can't they? This treasure shouldn't be the most formidable among those snatched, right? Among them is another one, whose name I'm uncertain, which once had Nanshan Yu Yifu's group besiege me with more people than those besieging Wu Jinliang, yet they couldn't defeat me, and I counter-killed several, making it unrivaled by the one Wu Jinliang used."

Feng Xi had indeed heard a little about this.

Still, Nanshan's group of persons involved don't wish to reveal too much, not particularly glorious matters, especially items like besieging a Heavenly Court Official can't leave evidence. Essentially, they never leaked relevant details; what outsiders heard was due to someone within Yu Yifu's group leaking internal information.

After pondering for a while, the topic shifted again, "Commander Shi, I heard you once went by 'Wang Ping' in West Ox City and worked as a handyman in a Book Collection Pavilion?"

Shi Chun nodded, "Indeed, but there's no need for the clan leader to cover up for me. It wasn't something that occurred before receiving Heavenly Court employment; it's what happened before being imprisoned in Life Prison for twenty years. I thought I'd never get out in this lifetime, but the past is bitter to recall!"

Feng Xi wasn't here to reminisce with him, nor could he empathize with his imprisonment. He calmly said, "I heard you also visited our Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain under the identity 'Wang Ping'?"

Shi Chun nodded, "Yes, at that time, it was because Wu Jinliang was on good terms with the Bai's Rice Shop owner's husband, Huang Yingying, and later, at the owner's request, I went to Divine Mountain to see her husband."

Feng Xi: "Later, the Protective Array of our Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain was stolen, followed by the Golden-haired Rat Clan arriving at this Dingnan Prefecture, and all members received your protection."

If not for this causal relationship, he wouldn't suspect the array used by Wu Jinliang in Yanfu Continent could be the 'Beidou Refusal Array'.

The 'Beidou Refusal Array' is difficult for even the Phoenix Clan to break down; how could outsiders easily steal it? Now it seems, its original owner, the Golden-haired Rat Clan, has high potential.

Shi Chun startled, "What does the clan leader mean? Are you suspecting I stole the Divine Mountain Formation?"

Feng Xi said, "There's indeed suspicion; I didn't believe you had such audacity before, but now realized I underestimated Commander Shi. It's not just audacious but indeed capable of what others cannot."

"Clan leader is too kind." Shi Chun smiled slightly, seeing the other party breaking through, he didn't dispute but instead leaned in and said, "Whether this treasure came from the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain, I don't know. Knowing or not isn't difficult; if the clan leader wishes to personally verify, it's not impossible. I can find a way to bring that treasure back for the clan leader's inspection. However, such offending matters might hold a significant price, posing a challenge. It depends on the clan leader's sincerity."

These words effectively turned the situation into a transaction.

The two Phoenix Clan attendants outside, and Feng Chi waiting inside the hall all turned to look.

Feng Xi paused, then directly asked, "Commander Shi, what do you want, feel free to say."

Shi Chun's spirit lifted, proactively suggested, "For the clan leader to come here, with my current situation, I presume the clan leader has heard, initially troubled by the matter of introducing population, resolved that, and now worried about subsequent tax matters. Dingnan Prefecture urgently needs industrial strength people to move in. If the Phoenix Clan could move their entire industry's presence here, I assure you, even if this treasure isn't from the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain, as long as the Phoenix Clan desires, I can cooperate with the clan leader to fabricate it as a lost treasure from Divine Mountain and assist in acquiring it."

Feng Xi's expression froze, staring incredulously at the other party. He only came to retrieve the stolen Divine Mountain Array of the Phoenix Clan, yet this person aims to incorporate the entire Phoenix Clan into his jurisdiction under his governance.