: Interrogating Chen Cha

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

After a long silence, Zhu Xuanji let out a light chuckle, steadying his emotions. "Interesting."

He then asked, "What's the origin of these mechanical monkeys?"

Zheng Shuang gou immediately frowned, looking somewhat incredulous. "Lord Zhu, are you suggesting that the shadowy demonic cultivator used these mechanical monkeys to blow up the immortal palace?"

"I know about this," Chi Dun spoke up, his voice low.

He actually knew quite a bit. After all, he had been present when Fei Si presented the treasure to the city lord.

Chi Dun explained the situation to Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji nodded slightly and said directly, "Take me to the Flying Disc Workshop."

***

Flying Disc Workshop.

Chen Cha was handing a large batch of spirit stones to Ning Zhuo: "Brother Ning, these are your recent dividends."

Before Ning Zhuo lay seven or eight storage pouches, each filled to the brim with spirit stones.

According to their initial agreement, Chen Cha took only thirty percent of the profits, while Ning Zhuo received the remaining seventy percent, with no need to cover any material costs.

The business of the Blazing Monkey Mechanisms was massive. Every mechanism workshop in the city was operating day and night at full capacity, yet there was still a significant shortage.

This wasn’t the first time Ning Zhuo had received dividends.

Ever since Chen Cha had privately asked Ning Zhuo to transfer the invention rights of the Blazing Monkey Mechanisms, Chen Cha had been deeply ashamed and found it difficult to face Ning Zhuo.

Although he knew Ning Zhuo had considerable skill in mechanisms, Chen Cha never invited him to participate in the workshop’s production. Their meetings were solely for handing over dividends.

But this time, Ning Zhuo had a different purpose for his visit.

"Elder Chen, I have another important matter to discuss."

Chen Cha was momentarily stunned, then replied, "Just call me Old Chen. Brother Ning, speak freely. This old man will do everything in his power to help!"

Ning Zhuo then took out a mechanical monkey and placed it before Chen Cha.

The familiar scene made Chen Cha pause once again.

"Elder Chen, take a look at this."

"Lately, I’ve been diligently practicing the Five Elements Qi Rhythm Art. I heard that the demand for mechanical monkeys still far exceeds supply, so I thought of a way to increase production."

Chen Cha sighed. "This year’s situation is truly unusual."

"In previous Fire Persimmon Festivals, only a portion of the persimmons were harvested, and the Monkey Head Gang could handle most of the work."

"But this year, a Golden Core-stage shadowy demonic cultivator has infiltrated the city. The city lord’s mansion is hesitant to act rashly. To minimize losses, we must harvest all the fire persimmons first before dealing with the demonic cultivator."

As he spoke, Chen Cha began inspecting the mechanical monkey.

Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to explain, "I adjusted the material ratios slightly, mainly modifying the muscles..."

After listening to the explanation and examining the monkey himself, Chen Cha’s expression darkened.

He looked up and gave Ning Zhuo a deep stare. If it weren’t for his lingering guilt, he would have already stormed off or even scolded Ning Zhuo on the spot.

Chen Cha took a deep breath, his face filled with complexity, and advised, "Brother Ning, this is pure corner-cutting."

"According to your new plan, you’ve significantly reduced the production steps, which does cut down on workload. But the resulting mechanical monkeys are far inferior to the previous ones."

"Not only are they prone to breaking down during use, but their bodies will also melt easily with a little heat."

"I remember you specifically visited me before to discuss how to solve the issue of the bodies melting under heat."

Ning Zhuo smiled. "Elder Chen, that’s precisely the essence of my improvement!"

"Think about it—how many years can we keep selling these mechanical monkeys?"

"After this year, the market will be flooded with Blazing Monkey Mechanisms. How many will we sell next year?"

"In business, you have to think long-term."

"These new Blazing Monkeys will break down quickly, so customers will have to buy again when there’s demand."

Chen Cha’s expression darkened further. "I disagree. Mechanisms shouldn’t be made this way. Quality is key to building a reputation and earning repeat customers."

"You have to consider that we’re not the only ones producing Blazing Monkey Mechanisms. Others will inevitably copy them. If our quality is poor, we’ll hand the market over to our competitors."

Ning Zhuo smiled dismissively. "Elder Chen, given your relationship with Lord Fei Si, why should we fear competition?"

Just as he was about to continue persuading Chen Cha, a voice suddenly interrupted: "Oh? Chen Cha, what relationship do you have with Fei Si?"

"Who’s there?!" Chen Cha immediately stood up.

Ning Zhuo also paled, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Chen Cha, fully alert.

The next moment, Zhu Xuanji pushed the door open and entered, followed closely by Chi Dun and Zheng Shuang gou.

Both Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo were stunned and hurriedly bowed in respect.

They recognized Chi Dun and Zheng Shuang gou but were unfamiliar with Zhu Xuanji.

Zhu Xuanji raised his waist token and introduced himself: "I am Zhu Xuanji, a member of the Divine Capture Division and a representative of the Southern Bean Royal Family. I am here to investigate the cause of the Molten Rock Immortal Palace’s appearance."

"Tell me, was the emergence of the immortal palace your doing?"

Zhu Xuanji stared intently at Chen Cha, his eyes flashing with a golden light.

Chen Cha was completely bewildered by the question!

It took him two breaths to process it before he replied with a bitter smile, "How could someone of my lowly status have anything to do with the emergence of an immortal palace?"

Zhu Xuanji frowned slightly. He sensed that Chen Cha was not lying.

He then asked, "How did you design the Blazing Monkey Mechanisms? How were they produced and sold? Explain everything clearly."

"Well..." Chen Cha hesitated for a moment before reluctantly beginning to speak.

But he had only spoken a few sentences when Zhu Xuanji interrupted him: "You’re lying!"

In the next instant, Zhu Xuanji’s eyes blazed with golden light. A Golden Core-level aura surged out, enveloping Chen Cha and pressing him to the ground.

"Audacious Chen Cha! How dare you hide the truth before a Divine Capture officer?!" Zheng Shuang gou shouted sternly.

Chi Dun’s expression was equally stern: "Tell the whole truth, or we’ll consider you an accomplice of the shadowy demonic cultivator!"

Chen Cha was terrified, his face pale and his body trembling uncontrollably.

"Honorable Lords, please wait! This humble one dares to interject. There are hidden circumstances here, and I am also aware of them," Ning Zhuo hurriedly said.

"Oh?" In an instant, the three Golden Core cultivators turned their attention to him.

Zhu Xuanji said meaningfully, "I was going to interrogate you after Chen Cha. But since you wish to speak, go ahead. Perhaps you can redeem yourself."

In his special vision, both Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo glowed red, almost black. Ning Zhuo’s aura was even darker than Chen Cha’s.

Under immense pressure, Ning Zhuo gritted his teeth and said, "Both Elder Chen and I signed a contract. If we reveal too much, we may suffer backlash!"

"Lord Fei Si is aware of this."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Zhuo’s face turned pale, and two streams of blood flowed from his nose—clear evidence of the "backlash" he had just mentioned.

Hearing Fei Si’s name, Zhu Xuanji raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chi Dun. "Interesting."

Chi Dun quickly said, "I will seek instructions from the city lord immediately."

"No need, I am already here." Fei Si’s voice came from outside the door.

(End of )