Returning a Plum

"Scared the hell out of me! Thank goodness I didn't have eyes in the back of my head and deliberately make things difficult for Ning Huan back then."

"Otherwise... even if we are both Soul Ancestor, I would absolutely be no match for him."

As these words fell, Ning Zhen shuddered instinctively.

Only then did he realize his back was soaked through with cold sweat, the light breeze bringing a chill that made him shiver.

Coming back to his senses, he couldn't help but feel a secret sense of relief at his own cautious nature, while simultaneously feeling a tinge of regret.

Slap!

Ning Zhen suddenly raised his right hand and gave himself a fierce slap across the face.

His somewhat cunning face was now filled with remorse.

Why hadn't he noticed this suddenly rising youth before?

Clearly, before being dispatched to Tianluo City, the sect deacons had repeatedly warned him never to underestimate any weak soul master.

During pre-job training, his seniors had also recounted countless examples of soul masters rising from obscurity over the past ten thousand years.

Yet, in the end, he hadn't taken these lessons to heart, wasting a golden opportunity to ride the coattails of a rising star.

However, years of experience in reading the wind and steering the rudder allowed him to regain his composure in the blink of an eye; he scrambled up from the floor and sat back in his chair.

"No! It's not too late to mend the fence!"

"I absolutely cannot just sit here and wait for my doom!"

"At the very least, I never mistreated him over the past few years; there is still a chance to build some goodwill before he leaves."

"If he happens to remember me one day, wouldn't I still be able to rise to greatness?"

Accompanied by urgent whispers, Ning Zhen pondered carefully how he could mend this non-existent relationship.

Money?

Don't look at how he manages the sect's entire industrial portfolio in the city, appearing infinitely glorious on the surface.

But given the geographical location of Tianluo City—neglected by everyone—the pickings were pitifully slim.

Furthermore, he had to grease palms at every level; after several years, he hadn't saved much at all.

It would be embarrassing to even offer it as a gift.

Resources?

To be able to cultivate to such a realm on his own without anyone paying attention, Ning Huan must have some special path; he truly didn't believe otherwise.

A twelve-year-old Soul Ancestor—that wasn't something achievable by talent alone.

Moreover, soul rings certainly couldn't be faked.

It wasn't as if he went to the Star Dou Forest to hunt them himself every single time.

From this, it was clear that there must be a powerful figure supporting him from behind.

What if he reported this to his superiors without permission, only to find out that the little ancestor's backer was one of the three titled elders or even the Sect Master?

Wouldn't he just explode on the spot?

After much deliberation, Ning Zhen finally realized that the only things he had to offer were some semi-public sect intelligence.

"Sigh, it has come to this. I'll give it a try; it's better than waiting until retirement."

"Someone! Go prepare a top-tier banquet. I am going to host... Young Master Ning Huan!"

It was just a pity that he never expected that the more generous he acted now, the more painful it would be to pay the bill later.

Half an hour later, Ning Huan, who had accepted the invitation, sat on one side of the round table, eating to his heart's content.

Conversely, Ning Zhen sat opposite him, wanting to cry but having no tears, his heart bleeding profusely.

Yet, since he was the one who had insisted on spending money to curry favor, he had to endure the pain.

I knew he had someone behind him!

Otherwise, how could a mere child afford to come to the best restaurant in the city on the pittance of a monthly allowance the sect provides!

And he ordered all the expensive dishes... he really doesn't know the cost of living!

On the other side, Ning Huan, his mouth glistening with grease, also noticed the strangeness and couldn't help but smile inwardly.

In fact, as soon as he received the invitation, he had roughly guessed Ning Zhen's intentions.

It was nothing more than wanting to take advantage of this final opportunity to please him and then use this relationship to climb the ranks and get rich.

However, he didn't have much resistance to this.

Although he had always hated trouble, he was not a fool.

In his view, maintaining social connections was still very necessary.

Especially when he was still weak, leaving a path open for others was always the right thing to do.

Besides, since the man was spending so much money, exhausting most of his savings just to treat him to a meal...

Might as well take what's offered.

And so, the two of them, each harboring their own thoughts—one eating, one watching—remained silent, creating an incredibly bizarre atmosphere.

Finally, when only a few scraps remained on the round table, Ning Huan stopped his movements and wiped his mouth clean.

He then assumed a cold expression, radiating an aloof and heartless aura.

"Deacon Ning Zhen, speak. What is it you want?"

As these words left his lips, Ning Zhen, who had been feeling heartbroken to the point of agony, suddenly froze in place, staring at the person before him in utter bewilderment, his mind going blank.

This didn't seem to be going according to the script.

Is this how the process is supposed to go?

Shouldn't it be me painfully emptying my savings, you feigning refusal, and after some back-and-forth, "reluctantly" accepting it?

Why are you asking the moment you put down your chopsticks?

Could it be that I've stayed at the border for too long and fallen out of touch with the times?

"However, a single meal is not enough."

"Speak, what else have you prepared?"

Ah!

That's the flavor!

This is more like it!

If you don't reach out your hand, how am I supposed to climb the ladder?

Clearly, this imperious attitude made Ning Zhen feel quite at ease.

Paired with his shifty-eyed appearance, it actually gave him a peculiar sense of comedy.

"Young Master Ning, the purpose of this banquet is, naturally, to see you off."

"As for the second reason, it is my personal desire to inform you of the general situation within the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect, just to build a bit of rapport."

Ning Huan remained expressionless upon hearing this, though he was quite satisfied with the man's attitude deep down.

Straightforward, no concealment.

And... no one dislikes hearing flattery.

He knows how to read the room; I might find a use for him in the future.

"Mm, go ahead and speak. I am listening."

Ning Zhen suddenly became exceptionally excited, his face flushing with agitation.

He knew he had passed the test!

Leaving Tianluo City was just around the corner!

In the near future, he might even be recalled to the sect and placed under the command of the young man before him.

"Yes! Then I shall start with the organizational structure of the sect..."

And so, for the next two and a half hours, Ning Huan revisited the tedious life of attending university lectures from his past life.

From the sect's composition, strict rules and regulations, to daily activities and requirements, and even the personalities and hobbies of the various elders and sect masters.

Everything Ning Zhen knew was laid out without missing a single word.

The level of detail left him stunned.

Wait, brother!

I won't say anything about the earlier parts!

How on earth do you know the preferences of the sect master and the venerated elders?!

You are just a Soul Ancestor sent to some remote corner; are you even qualified for that?

Seemingly sensing the confusion of his future master, Ning Zhen scratched his head in embarrassment and explained:

"Young Master Ning may not know, but to ensure long-term internal stability, the sect is particularly strict with management personnel, especially the deacon group, which is the largest in number."

"Before taking office, one must undergo systematic training to prevent any offenses against high-ranking officials or the bullying of disciples."

"The things I mentioned earlier are exactly part of that curriculum."

Ning Huan: "..."

With such a steady and cautious attitude, it seemed there was a reason the Nine Treasures Glazed Sect could pass down its legacy for ten thousand years with support-type martial souls as its foundation...

Ordinary factions truly couldn't achieve this!