After their conversation, each man harbored his own thoughts, but on the whole, both host and guest had enjoyed themselves.
Li Chen then rose and returned to the front courtyard with Feng Mingzhu to rejoin the others.
Wu Ding wandered over from somewhere. His eyes lit up when he saw Li Chen emerge, and he approached to ask with concern, "Where did you go?"
Li Chen said, "Nothing much. I just had a detailed chat with Feng Mingzhu."
"By the way, Feng Mingzhu seems interested in inviting me to become an Attendant, to secure another century of prosperity for the Feng Household. Old Wu, what do you think?"
Wu Ding sneered. "I heard people mention this long ago. Given the Suyang Feng Household's current circumstances, they do indeed need a genuine long-term Attendant to oversee the Lineage and shelter them from wind and rain."
"But who knows how many people he's said this to? Don't think he's sincere and won't hire anyone but you."
"Besides, an Attendant elder is no trivial matter. When someone speaks so deeply on so shallow an acquaintance, something must be amiss!"
Li Chen said, "Quite right. That's what I thought too."
"If Feng Mingzhu truly intended this, he should at least observe me in secret for a few years and earnestly cultivate our friendship before tentatively raising the matter. And he should offer substantial benefits right away, rather than making empty promises when we've only just met."
"His behavior seems more like wariness toward an unfamiliar Foundation Establishment cultivator like me."
Wu Ding said, "Still, the balance of strength between host and guest can change. However formidable Feng Mingzhu may be, he's only at the Foundation Establishment late stage. While alive, he can still keep you somewhat in check, but once he's dead, how much