Chapter 1566 - 647: Allegiance and Recruitment
Chapter 1566: Chapter 647: Allegiance and Recruitment
The shadow puppet was as thin as a cicada’s wing, light yellow in color, with the edges finely stitched with blood-red thread.
On the surface of the puppet was drawn a little armored figure, with simple features, but the eyes were inlaid with two points of black jade, shining faintly under the lamplight. When the firelight shone on it, the shadow cast on the stone wall seemed more substantial than the object itself, like a real armored warrior standing before the wall.
Pi Fujie reached out and pointed, and the shadow puppet stood up.
The shadow of the little armored figure on the stone wall raised its arms, assuming a protective stance. The motion was slight, yet it exuded a solid grace.
"A Golden Core Level shadow puppet — the Disaster Deflection Puppet," Pi Fujie said, "When the enemy attacks you, as long as you summon this puppet in advance, part of the attack can be transferred onto it. No matter how fierce the Three Brave of Xiang Sect are, their attacks are still at the Golden Core Level. This artifact should be quite beneficial to Young Master Ning."
Seeing Ning Zhuo silent, Pi Fujie smiled and said, "I am willing to gift this to Young Master Ning."
The cave mansion’s light flickered slightly.
Ning Zhuo looked up at him, his gaze calm as water: "Fellow Daoist Pi’s goodwill, Ning appreciates it."
Pi Fujie’s eyebrows moved slightly. The meaning behind those words was clear.
Ning Zhuo continued, "This artifact is too precious, and I cannot accept it."
The smile on Pi Fujie’s face faded somewhat, but he wasn’t angry. His fingers slowly caressed the cuff of his leather robe, and the demonic patterns on the sleeve quietly emerged: "Is Young Master Ning still concerned about my Pi Family’s origins?"
Ning Zhuo shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Pi misunderstands. Nanming Village is currently at the eye of the storm. On one hand, I’m openly trying to save the Red Robe Guest’s Demon Soul, and on the other hand, accepting the Pi Family’s treasure might give many people something to say."
Pi Fujie stared at him for a moment, then suddenly laughed, "Young Master Ning is indeed cautious."
He retrieved the shadow puppet but did not hurry to put it into his sleeve, letting it rest quietly in his hand. The black jade eyes of the puppet turned slightly, as if scrutinizing Ning Zhuo.
Pi Fujie put away his playful demeanor and spoke with a deeper tone, "I truly want to invest in Young Master Ning, and I sincerely don’t want to remain an enemy. Turning foes into friends was praised within my clan, but in my view, we could go further. If Young Master Ning does not accept this shadow puppet, it doesn’t matter. If you need any support, just say the word."
Ning Zhuo’s gaze finally changed. A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes, quick like a blade skimming over water.
Pi Fujie felt a slight tension down his spine.
Ning Zhuo straightened up, his expression serious: "I would like to borrow a Nascent Soul Level shadow puppet to deal with the Three Brave of Xiang Sect!"
The cave mansion fell silent suddenly.
Pi Fujie’s smile stiffened on his face.
His Adam’s apple moved slightly: "Young Master Ning, you truly dare to ask."
Ning Zhuo said, "Since Fellow Daoist Pi asked, I answered earnestly."
Pi Fujie smiled wryly.
He rolled up the Disaster Deflection Puppet again and put it into his sleeve, pausing his hand inside for a long moment.
"A Nascent Soul Level shadow puppet... I’m only in the Foundation Establishment Stage, unable to mobilize such an item." He looked up at Ning Zhuo, his expression uncharacteristically earnest, "I can report this to my family and strive to help you, but the outcome is not within my control, and I can’t guarantee it."
Ning Zhuo nodded, "I understand."
Pi Fujie stood up. He came with a full smile but left with a slight frown.
Ning Zhuo personally escorted him out of the cave mansion, watching as he turned into a dark red tunneling light and departed.
Just as Ning Zhuo was about to turn back into the cave mansion, out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly caught sight of a figure.
The figure hid in the curve of the mountain path, half-shrouded by clouds and mist in a fiery red short robe, with hair messily tied, a few small fire barrels hanging from the waist.
He peeked out his head from time to time, then quickly retracted it, his toes scraping the stone steps, rubbing off a small patch of moss.
Seeing who it was, Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but laugh, "Fire-Wick Ahuo."
The figure froze at once.
Fire-Wick Ahuo shuffled out from the clouds, a slight blush on his face.
He usually had a quick temper and a loud voice, never backing down from an argument in the Artifact Refining Hall. But now, standing in front of the Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion, he seemed at a loss, as if the mountain wind had blown away all his fire qi.
"Young, Young Master Ning." Fire-Wick Ahuo cupped his hands.
Ning Zhuo walked down two steps: "You came to find me?"
Fire-Wick Ahuo looked up at him once, then quickly avoided eye contact: "I heard you were going to face the Three Brave of Xiang Sect."
As he spoke, his brow furrowed, his cheeks turning even redder with anxiety, "Zhang Dadan and the others said to wait and see, saying this matter is too big to meddle with. Patchwork Sun also said to be more stable, and Jiang Xiaobian keeps saying we have small arms and legs..."
He grew increasingly agitated, scratching his head, making his already loose topknot even messier, "I’ve thought about it so much that my heart is just restless. Young Master Ning, you showed me favor before and accepted the little mechanism we sent. I’m not very capable, but I can’t just do nothing!"
Ning Zhuo looked at him.
Fire-Wick Ahuo’s eyes held both opportunism and passion, fear, and a young person’s unique recklessness.
Ning Zhuo understood, "So, you came?"
Fire-Wick Ahuo nodded vigorously, "Yes!"
"Have you thought about what you can do?" Ning Zhuo asked.
Fire-Wick Ahuo opened his mouth, his face reddened further, and after a long moment, he blurted out, "I haven’t thought it through."
"Coming is already good enough." Ning Zhuo walked up to Fire-Wick Ahuo and patted his shoulder.
Fire-Wick Ahuo was stunned.
Ning Zhuo continued, "I currently lack manpower. If you’re willing, stay temporarily at the Three Lights Heavenly Dao Cave Mansion to cultivate and also help me handle some refining, repairing, and device-related errands."
Fire-Wick Ahuo’s eyes lit up suddenly, he cupped his hands and bowed very low, "Thank you, Young Master, for taking me in!"
Ning Zhuo helped him up, "No need to be so stiff. There aren’t many rules in the cave mansion, but you have to be serious about your work. Gongsun Yan will arrange a place for you to stay and cultivate."