Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master

“What? You want me to hand over all of the Night Wind Soft Iron?” Ning Zhuo furrowed his brows deeply as soon as he heard this.

“I’m just delivering the message,” Zheng Hua waved his hand, showing his innocence.

“This is a direct order from the Golden Core Ancestor of your Ning family, Ning Zhuo. Little brother, from what I see, you have no room to refuse.”

“Sigh, according to our previous agreement, this Night Wind Soft Iron was originally meant for forging.”

“Now that there is such a large gap in materials, will you still continue to build your Mechanical Ape?”

Zheng Hua deliberately asked this, trying to provoke and incite Ning Zhuo.

“Oh, right. Let me tell you, the person who revealed the fact that you own the Night Wind Soft Iron was from your Ning family.”

“She is Ning Xiaohui!”

“Ning Zhuo, little brother, from what I see, you should just soften up to the main branch of your family. Otherwise, you’ll face more of such schemes and hidden daggers in the future.”

Under Zheng Hua’s expectant gaze, Ning Zhuo suddenly relaxed his furrowed brows, raised his head, and laughed heartily three times.

“Good, very good.”

“To be able to serve the Golden Core Ancestor of my family is a fortune I, Ning Zhuo, have accumulated over eight lifetimes.”

“Excellent, truly excellent!”

“I must thank Ning Xiaohui. I am truly grateful to her. Without her, how could I have gotten such a great opportunity?”

Seeing Ning Zhuo laughing so heartily and cheerfully, it was now Zheng Hua’s turn to frown.

For a moment, he couldn’t tell if Ning Zhuo was gritting his teeth in hatred or if he had truly come to terms with the situation.

Zheng Family.

The top-tier crafting room.

“Not bad, Ning Zhuo is still quite decent,” Zhu Xuanji said after inspecting and putting down the jade slip in his hand.

The Golden Core cultivator from the Zheng family beside him picked up the jade slip and injected his spiritual sense into it.

The list presented by Ning Zhuo was filled entirely with Golden Core-level materials.

After learning that he had to surrender the Night Wind Soft Iron, Ning Zhuo was overjoyed and immediately abandoned his current tasks.

In front of the messenger, Zheng Hua, he directly drafted a list of materials.

He expressed: it was his utmost honor to serve the Golden Core Ancestors. Since he had accidentally gained such a high position, it felt like walking on thin ice, and he was willing to offer all the Golden Core-level materials in his possession for the Ancestor's use.

Such a cooperative attitude left Zheng Hua disappointed but also made him wary.

Zhu Xuanji and the others, on the other hand, were very pleased.

The detective pointed at the jade slip and jokingly scolded, “I know this kid Ning Zhuo.”

“This junior knows how to climb the ranks. If he enters the officialdom in the future, he will definitely be promising material.”

“Ning Jiufan, your Ning family has produced a talented individual.”

Zhu Xuanji had a pressing need to aid the Zheng family in crafting mechanical weapons for the Lava Immortal Palace.

Ning Zhuo’s full cooperation made him feel at ease.

The displeasure caused by Yuan Dasheng was greatly reduced as a result.

Ning Jiufan, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning family, smiled faintly. “For the younger generation of my family to catch Lord Zhu Xuanji's eye is truly an honor.”

Zhu Xuanji shook his head, “It’s not just me. Fei Si also thinks highly of Ning Zhuo.”

Zhou Nongying suddenly said, “Ning Zhuo is quite capable of stirring things up. I heard that, as a member of the side branch, he even pulled down Ning Youfu, the young master of the main branch.”

His words carried a hint of provocation and mockery toward the Ning family’s ancestor.

The Ning family’s Golden Core Ancestor, Ning Jiufan, acted as if he hadn’t noticed, and only vaguely replied, “Hehe, let the younger generation handle their own matters.”

Zhu Xuanji let out a hum and muttered, “Ning Zhuo is assisting us wholeheartedly, with the intent of serving the country and showing exceptional loyalty. As such, I will reward him with a mechanical creation from the royal treasury. It is a fair trade for the Night Wind Soft Iron he offered.”

“As for the other materials, they belong to him. Let him take them back.”

“Our royal family has always been fair in rewards and punishments. We would never covet the people’s resources.”

Zheng Shuanggou, the Golden Core cultivator from the Zheng family, laughed, “This kid, Ning Zhuo, I saved his life back when we were in Mount Huoshi.”

“Now, he has offered the Night Wind Soft Iron to help our family craft mechanical weapons.”

“It’s truly delightful how fate works in mysterious ways.”

“The mechanical weapons are the property of our Zheng family, and we must repay him accordingly.”

“Someone, come here.”

“Check the treasury and compile a suitable list. Give it to Ning Zhuo and let him choose any item as his reward.”

Zhou Nongying also nodded, “Since that’s the case, our Zhou family cannot be stingy.”

“Let’s reward him with a Foundation Establishment-level Spirit Gathering Formation Disk.”

It was now the Ning family’s turn.

Ning Jiufan coughed lightly and, after a few moments of thought, slowly stroked his beard and said calmly, “Ning Zhuo is a descendant of our family. It’s only right for him to contribute to the family.”

“Pass on my message—The Ancestor remembers his contributions to the family!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the other Golden Core cultivators changed.

The orders of the Golden Core Ancestors were passed down to Ning Zhuo.

At home, Ning Zhuo raised his head and laughed heartily.

He thought to himself, “Just as I expected!”

He had already guessed the reactions of the Golden Core cultivators, especially Zhu Xuanji. That’s why he dared to take such a risky move.

“Zhu Xuanji is a big figure. His actions are no longer driven solely by personal preference; he might even go against his own desires and intentions!”

In Ning Zhuo’s mind, once Zhu Xuanji temporarily stopped investigating and fully focused on exploring the Lava Immortal Palace, the threat he posed would drastically decrease.

If he didn’t continue investigating, the pressure on Ning Zhuo would lighten considerably.

By revealing his true purpose to compete for the Immortal Palace, Zhu Xuanji’s actions became more predictable!

“If Zhu Xuanji becomes the master of the Immortal Palace, he will become a significant force in Huoshi Immortal City.”

“That’s why he’s allying with the three families. Based on future developments, the Meng family will also become a powerful political enemy for Zhu Xuanji!”

Ning Zhuo not only handed over the Night Wind Soft Iron but also willingly offered all his visible Golden Core-level materials. This submissive posture was exactly what Zhu Xuanji needed.

Zhu Xuanji eagerly wanted to see all three families submit to him, as this would make his bid for the Immortal Palace’s leadership easier and would also allow him to deal with the Meng family and eventually rule Huoshi Immortal City.

So, when Ning Zhuo, this example, was placed in front of him, even though Zhu Xuanji still harbored much disdain for Ning Zhuo, he had to hold his nose and shower him with praise and rewards.

Zhu Xuanji needed to display his leadership and continue to deepen his alliances with the three families.

Ning Zhuo was a prime example. By generously rewarding Ning Zhuo, he could prove to the outside world what kind of person he was and encourage others to follow Ning Zhuo’s example and submit to him!

“Zhu Xuanji, this detective from outside the city, is the true leader of the current alliance of the three families.”

“As long as I win him over and he takes a stance, the other Golden Core Ancestors of the three families will surely follow!”

“Hahaha.”

“These Golden Core cultivators are no more than this, easily outwitted by me.”

“I truly am best suited for maneuvering within the righteous path!”

Ning Zhuo was overjoyed.

What pleased him the most was not the royal mechanical creation from Zhu Xuanji, nor the rewards from the Zheng and Zhou families, but a single sentence from Ning Jiufan, the Golden Core Ancestor of the Ning family!

In fact, Ning Zhuo believed the most valuable reward from the Golden Core cultivators was this sentence.

He immediately summoned his subordinates and had them spread the news far and wide—he, Ning Zhuo, had earned the recognition of the Ning family’s Golden Core Ancestor!

“From now on, remember, I am a hero.”

“I have helped the Golden Core Ancestor of our family. This is not something just anyone can do. I am a great hero!”

“I am the great hero of the Ning family!”

“Hahaha!”

The news spread like a whirlwind, sweeping through the entire Ning family.

Just a single sentence caused

a massive upheaval within the Ning family!

The main branch was in panic, trying to guess the meaning behind the Golden Core Ancestor’s words.

The side branch was elated, proudly holding their heads high.

Ning Zhuo being remembered by the Golden Core Ancestor surely meant the Ancestor favored this young junior, didn’t it?

Didn’t it mean the Ancestor expected Ning Zhuo to become a family elder in the future?

In the past, Ning Zhuo’s talent, character, and methods had already impressed many.

Additionally, the main branch had been suppressing the side branch too harshly, and the side branch had long been accumulating energy for a rebound in secret. Ning Zhuo had skillfully leveraged this, allowing him, at the third level of Qi Refining, to command a large group of Foundation Establishment subordinates—all of whom were elites of the same level!

Now, Ning Zhuo had received recognition from the highest level of the Ning family.

He had gained the approval of the Ning family’s Golden Core Ancestor, ensuring a bright future for himself!

As long as he continued to grow, he would inevitably secure a position within the power structure of the Ning family.

And Ning Zhuo belonged to the side branch!

He was the only future heavyweight from the side branch!

This was incredibly significant. On the same day the news broke, many of his subordinates eagerly came to inquire about the truth.

Ning Zhuo confirmed the news for them!

The news swept through the Ning family like a storm, and after a night of fermenting, the next day, a large number of Ning family members actively sought out Ning Zhuo, eager to serve him!

Previously, Ning Zhuo had recruited a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators as his subordinates, but that was only because he had taken advantage of the main branch’s errors, turning the situation to his benefit.

If the main branch hadn’t expelled them, those former stewards would have been much more willing to serve as officials within the family, with ninety-nine percent of them preferring this over making a living in the black market.

After all, the Ning family was still a righteous family. Participating in the grey areas of the black market was merely a necessity of the current situation and not something a righteous family should do.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Ning family wore masks while patrolling, using them as a form of modesty.

But now, these Ning family members genuinely admired Ning Zhuo.

They believed in Ning Zhuo’s bright future and promising prospects, which was why they proactively sought to serve him.

Ning Zhuo assigned all these people to the black market.

Many of them hesitated, expressing their willingness to disperse their cultivation and follow Ning Zhuo into exploring the Immortal Palace. Some even offered to work in the Mechanical Workshop to create mechanical creations for him.

However, Ning Zhuo insisted on the black market decision, explaining to them, “We are from the side branch. We are ordinary people.”

“We are originally humble, trampled beneath the main branch.”

“There is no shame in being humble. In fact, it is an opportunity.”

“Often, the soil contains more nutrients!”

“If you want to follow me, you must have this kind of awareness.”

“Go to the black market. Experience humility. Step out from the mud and prove that we are united.”

“Think of those former stewards from our side branch. They are all elites of the Foundation Establishment stage, yet they work in the black market. So what are you?”

Ning Zhuo’s words were forceful and authoritative, leaving everyone in awe.

And this was just the beginning.