I Want to Climb Up

Author: Gu Zhenren

Date: 2024-07-31

After seeing Zhu Xuanji off, Feisi didn't leave but turned back to the flying disc workshop instead.

He stared at Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo, then focused his gaze on Ning Zhuo. Suddenly, he released his Golden Core pressure.

Caught off guard, Ning Zhuo was forced down to one knee.

Chen Cha was horrified. "Lord Feisi, what are you...?"

Feisi sneered, "Recently, the Monkey Head Gang has suffered multiple blows. Over thirty percent of their monkey pets have been poisoned to death."

"After investigating, we found someone spent a fortune starting a long time ago to capture wild monkeys. They even placed heavy bounties on the lives of the Monkey Head Gang's monkey pets on the black market."

"Not only that, the current leader of the Monkey Head Gang, Yuan Er, was assassinated. The killer was very arrogant, even sending a death threat before the attempt. Although the assassination failed, Yuan Er was scared out of his wits. He now stays holed up in the gang's base, too afraid to venture out casually."

Feisi fixed his eyes on Ning Zhuo. "Was all this your doing?"

Almost crushed to the ground by the immense Golden Core pressure, Ning Zhuo was pale and drenched in cold sweat. Struggling against the pressure, he forced out his words, "Lord Feisi, if you ask me like that, I must deny it."

"I've already provided the new mechanical monkeys and blueprints. We can produce enough in a short time to fully meet the current demand!"

Feisi raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Chen Cha.

Worried for Ning Zhuo's life, Chen Cha quickly nodded. "Lord Feisi, that's true. However, the new mechanical monkeys use fewer materials and simplified processes. Their quality has dropped significantly, and they likely won't last long."

Feisi pressed, "Can they still pick the fire persimmons?"

Chen Cha nodded. "That won't be a problem."

Only then did Feisi's expression soften. He gradually withdrew his Golden Core pressure and looked down at Ning Zhuo. "Get up."

"Thank you, my lord." Ning Zhuo staggered to his feet, covered in cold sweat, with a bitten lip and nosebleed, looking utterly disheveled.

Feisi pointed at Ning Zhuo. "You're quite clever, Ning Zhuo, right? I'll remember you."

A hint of delight flashed across Ning Zhuo's face. "What an honor it is to be remembered by you, my lord. I swear on my life that we will produce enough mechanical monkeys to meet the needs of the Fire Persimmon Festival."

Feisi gave an approving hum, quite satisfied with Ning Zhuo's declaration, and his attitude softened a bit more.

Ning Zhuo continued, "My lord, according to my new design, the best material for making mechanical monkeys is actual monkeys."

"The Monkey Head Gang has lost many monkey pets, right? We need those monkey corpses as raw materials."

"I hope you will grant us permission!"

Hearing this, Feisi narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Ning Zhuo once more.

Stroking his beard, he felt a flicker of admiration for Ning Zhuo. "This kid is young, but his mind is ruthless. He wants to finish off the Monkey Head Gang."

"He sees clearly: the business of mechanical monkeys relies on picking fire persimmons. The Monkey Head Gang currently controls that trade. So, he wants to overthrow them."

"He wants to borrow my power to demand the monkey corpses. Can Yuan Er refuse? But if he gives them up, what will happen to his authority as gang leader?"

"He has ambition and methods."

"Reminds me of myself when I was young."

If Ning Zhuo had Golden Core cultivation—no, even Foundation Establishment—Feisi would have felt threatened. But Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Refining stage and still a teenager. Feisi felt no pressure at all.

Thinking this, Feisi showed a faint, ambiguous smile. "This matter is rather interesting. How much do you think we should pay the Monkey Head Gang for the monkey corpses?"

Without hesitation, Ning Zhuo replied, "I am willing to give up forty percent of the profits. From now on, forty percent of the earnings from the mechanical monkeys will be yours, my lord!"

Feisi pretended not to understand. "What does that have to do with me?"

Ning Zhuo immediately said, "Lord Feisi, you are the parent official of Fire Persimmon Immortal City. How could anything happen here without involving you?"

"On the contrary, the Monkey Head Gang has blood on their hands and exploits the people's wealth without showing gratitude."

"They should contribute more to Fire Persimmon Immortal City and show more consideration for you, our parent official, Lord Feisi."

"Those monkeys are already dead. They'll just bury them. Why not let us use them to solve the Fire Persimmon Festival's problems and contribute to our city!"

Feisi burst into laughter, pointing repeatedly at Ning Zhuo. "Well said, Ning Zhuo! You have high awareness! Very good! You're a fine seedling for the righteous path!"

"I'll send my subordinates to demand the monkey corpses and have them delivered to you."

Ning Zhuo bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord."

Chen Cha, who had witnessed everything, wore a complex expression.

After Feisi left, Ning Zhuo turned to Chen Cha with sincere eyes. "Elder Chen, I'm sorry. I had to do this!"

Chen Cha sighed, unable to hide his resentment. "Since Lord Feisi has approved it, what else can I say?"

He fundamentally despised cutting corners and reducing quality purely for profit. It showed no respect for one's own craft, which meant no self-respect.

Ning Zhuo had anticipated Chen Cha's reaction.

The young cultivator had a response ready. "Elder Chen, I will come to the workshop more often from now on. I want to participate in making the mechanical monkeys!"

"After all, I just guaranteed it with my life to Lord Feisi."

At this, worry surfaced on Chen Cha's face. "Brother Ning, what you did was too risky."

"Don't make such rash guarantees in the future. What if something unexpected happens and you can't deliver?"

"With your status as a Ning clansman, you didn't need to guarantee anything. Even Lord Feisi would worry about causing trouble."

But Ning Zhuo clenched his fist, interrupting Chen Cha. "Elder Chen, if I didn't guarantee it, how could I show my stance and catch Lord Feisi's attention?"

"The incident with the mechanical monkeys made me understand something."

"I realized this is a world of power! Even if I invent something, that honor can be easily taken away by others."

Elder Chen was stunned, then deep guilt washed over him. He was about to speak when Ning Zhuo cut him off.

"I'm not blaming you, Elder Chen. I know you had no choice."

"These past few days, studying the 'Curved Snake Spring Array Collection' has benefited me greatly."

"Elder Chen, I understand."

"I thank you. Thank you for giving me your array insights, and thank you for showing me the true face of this world."

"So, I want to climb!"

"I want to climb up! I want to stand above others!"

"Only by reaching a certain height can I defend my own interests. In the future, no one will easily strip me of my honors or take away my mechanical creations!!"

Chen Cha fell silent.

Looking at the righteous, ambitious young man before him, whose eyes shone with determination, he was filled with complex emotions.

Now he understood why Ning Zhuo's temperament had changed like this.

He no longer felt resentment, disgust, or disdain for Ning Zhuo. Instead, his heart was full of guilt and self-reproach.

He knew how innocent this young man had once been. It was him, Chen Cha, who had caused this change.

"What right do I have to criticize him then?" Chen Cha sighed inwardly.

He walked up to Ning Zhuo and placed his hands on his shoulders. "Xiao Zhuo! I've wronged you. What's done is done. I will support you with all my strength!"

Ning Zhuo broke into a smile.

When he heard Chen Cha address him as "Xiao Zhuo" again instead of "Brother Ning," he knew he had succeeded.

(End of )