There was a hint of amusement in Chen Zhou's voice, but at his words, the old butler's mouth, which had just opened, snapped shut.
He looked at Chen Zhou in alarm.
The Qiangu Clan was the genuine article: the foremost clan in the land.
With the power of a single clan, they controlled the entire Spirit Pagoda. They truly had the world at their feet.
Even though Chen Zhou wasn't a core member of the clan, his identity was still enough to make the Xie Family think twice before crossing him.
Seeing the old butler's wary expression, Chen Zhou wore a look of disdain.
"Could I trouble you to arrange a car to take me back to the Spirit Pagoda? It wouldn't be too much trouble for the Xie Family, would it?"
"N-no... Of course not... Please, come with me." As he spoke, the old butler headed toward the back.
Chen Zhou didn't mind and followed him out.
Once he was in the car, he watched it head toward the Spirit Pagoda and gazed out the window, yawning with boredom.
Na'er had sat beside him the entire time. Aside from the moment her eyes lit up when they were invited to stay for dinner, she'd been so well-behaved that she'd surprised Chen Zhou.
Looking at the sweet, obedient little girl, Chen Zhou reached out and ruffled her hair.
"Ah, having the Qiangu Clan's name behind me really is useful."
"If I want to vie for control of the Spirit Pagoda in the future, then with my status as a member of the Qiangu Clan, even if I kill Qiangu Dongfeng and Qiangu Zhangting, it probably won't cause too much of a stir."
As Chen Zhou spoke, he rubbed his chin.
Na'er looked at him curiously.
His voice was so quiet that even Na'er hadn't heard him. Only Neuvillette, inside him, had heard what Chen Zhou said.
Can you stop thinking about killing people all day long?
The Qiangu Clan has no feud with you. It's also the place where you were born and raised. How can you be so heartless?
"You don't understand, Master. I'm not from this world."
"Now that I'm here, I can either lie low, take it easy, and live my life—or fight for the highest position I can reach!"
Chen Zhou paused after saying this.
He didn't continue. After all, it was shocking enough for a six-year-old to say something so earth-shattering.
The car slowly came to a stop.
Chen Zhou took Na'er by the hand and got out.
It was already past twelve. The two of them quickly took the elevator to the cafeteria.
But to Chen Zhou's surprise, silence still hung over lunch.
Neither he nor Su Xin had apparently eaten. They'd been waiting for them to return.
When Chen Zhou came back, Su Xin gave Silence a helpless look.
"Tower Master, you really do know everything in advance."
"How did you know the Young Tower Master would definitely come back?"
"The Xie Family is one of the most powerful clans around here. It would've been perfectly normal for the Young Tower Master to stay for a meal."
Su Xin looked at Silence, curiosity in her eyes.
Silence hadn't eaten, and Su Xin had asked him about it.
He'd said he was waiting for Chen Zhou and Na'er to return.
Su Xin had been puzzled. Since the Xie Family had investigated Chen Zhou's identity and learned of his connection to the Spirit Pagoda, surely they would've insisted that he stay for a meal.
At the time, Silence had only smiled without answering.
Now, as he watched Chen Zhou and Na'er take their seats nearby, he gave a slight shake of his head.
Silence still didn't explain to Su Xin that he'd only been guessing. It was just that he'd thought the chances were high.
Looking at his young disciple, who was only six years old, Silence couldn't help feeling that his thoughts, his shrewdness, and every other aspect of him were remarkably mature.
After all, the Xie Family had gone out of its way to investigate their background. That alone showed they meant to move against him.
In such a situation, Chen Zhou had been willing to put the matter aside and go over there. That had surprised Silence.
But going over there didn't mean he'd stay for a meal.
After all, as long as Chen Zhou saw the Xie Family for what they were, he couldn't possibly feel warmly toward them. That was why Silence had guessed he'd come back.
He hadn't expected his guess to be right.
Watching Chen Zhou eat in small, careful bites, Silence smiled warmly.
"I've already arranged things with Mu Chen, president of the East Sea Blacksmith Association. I'll take you there this afternoon, and you can learn blacksmithing under him."
"He's an eighth-rank blacksmith, a man of even higher standing than your teacher."
"I knew him from before, and he owed me a favor. That's why he agreed to let you try your luck and see if you can become his disciple."
As Silence spoke, he looked at Chen Zhou.
He was reminding Chen Zhou that he and Mu Chen weren't particularly close.
Chen Zhou would have to mind his manners and make the most of the opportunity. If Mu Chen turned him down, Silence wouldn't be able to press him.
"Understood, Teacher."
"My talent may not be especially great, but I'll do my best."
"Good. Eat up."
"After lunch, you can both take a nap. Then we'll head over at around two this afternoon."
Silence picked up some food and began eating as well.
They both ate quickly, but because they had to wait for Na'er, the meal dragged on for over half an hour.
After they finished eating, Chen Zhou and Na'er returned to their respective rooms.
The moment he got into his room, Chen Zhou flopped onto the bed.
But Neuvillette had already seen through him.
This is the perfect time for some dream training.
It's not even one yet. One hour should be enough to improve your combat strength.
"My dear teacher, could you please act like a person for once?"
"I need to make sure my mental power is in perfect shape before I take the blacksmithing test."
Does blacksmithing have anything to do with mental power?
Besides, I'm not human.
Hearing Neuvillette earnestly declare that he wasn't human, Chen Zhou's mouth twitched.
But he couldn't think of a way to argue.
"The test requires mental power—or, to be more precise, it only works with mental power."
"Our mental power is definitely the strongest among people our age."
"Even if my strength talent isn't top-tier, my mental power will give me the best possible control over metal."
"As long as I demonstrate enough control over metal, becoming Mu Chen's disciple shouldn't be difficult."
Chen Zhou gave a brief explanation, about to elaborate for Neuvillette.
But he had no idea that, in the main hall of the East Sea City Blacksmith Association, a girl was sitting across from a middle-aged man.
She had her arms tightly folded and glared furiously at him.
"You promised to teach me blacksmithing techniques. Why do you have something else to do this afternoon?"
"Didn't you say you were free?"
"Sweetheart, I really do have something to do this afternoon."
"A friend's student is coming to ask me to take him on as a disciple and teach him blacksmithing."
"Anyone can learn blacksmithing these days?" The girl scoffed in disdain.
But seeing the troubled look on her father's face, she could only sigh and get to her feet.
"When is he coming?"
"I'm going to sit in. I want to see what kind of person can contact you directly and even ask you to take him on as a disciple."
As she spoke, the girl glanced at her father.
She knew just how principled he was.
For her father, who was so firm in his principles, to feel obliged to meet with someone, that person either had to be powerful—or her father owed him a favor.
Either way, she was curious about this person.
She wanted to see what kind of big shot he was.