What is the most expensive debt in the world? Naturally, it is the debt of gratitude.
Chairman Bao’en, in order to solicit Chu Feng’s assistance, did not hesitate to offer the one thing most capable of moving Chu Feng. That was the debt of gratitude he owed to Chu Feng.
"Well... saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-storied pagoda. Since Chairman Bao thinks so highly of me, I will make an effort to try!"
"But to be clear, Chairman Bao should not hold too great an expectation. I can only do my best."
Chu Feng did not overpromise, but instead remained as humble as possible.
This was precisely the cleverness in how he conducted himself.
It made Chairman Bao’en believe that it was not an easy task for Chu Feng to lend a hand. That considerable effort, even a desperate effort, was required to succeed. It also kept others from gauging the depth of Chu Feng’s skills.
If he had confidently agreed, Chairman Bao’en would subconsciously think that this matter was a trifle for Chu Feng.
The weight of this debt of gratitude would be greatly discounted.
Seeing that Chu Feng had agreed and was willing to help with all his might, Chairman Bao’en was immensely grateful to Chu Feng.
"There’s no need to go to Sword King Mansion; we’ll go straight to the Golden Talisman Sect Store!" Chu Feng said with a smile.
It’s taboo to help others reluctantly and with half-hearted effort.
For instance, if I have two pears and plan to give one to a friend. But then I keep the bigger one for myself and give the smaller one to the friend.
Oops, not only is the pear given away for nothing, but I’ve also left an impression of stinginess in the friend’s heart.
Human nature is most complex, and it’s hard to be a good person.
If you don’t want to help, don’t. But if you do, help with enthusiasm and great effort. Only then can you truly garner appreciation; otherwise, it will backfire.
As the carriage was approaching the Golden Talisman Sect Store, Chairman Bao’en tearfully said to Chu Feng, "Brother Chu, these two maids are still virgins. If you don’t mind, I will give them to you. They are well-versed in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and serving others."
Chu Feng was somewhat tempted.
These two maids were personally trained by Bao’en, which naturally made one somewhat uneasy. In his previous life, Chu Feng was betrayed by Chang’e, leaving a deep scar in his heart.
Therefore, he tactfully refused Chairman Bao’en’s kindness on the spot.
His entering the Golden Talisman Sect Store to concoct life-saving elixirs for Chairman Bao’en goes without saying.
After a full three days, Chu Feng walked out of the Golden Talisman Sect Store with a tired face.
Unexpectedly, Chairman Bao’en had been waiting outside all this time.
Upon seeing Chu Feng emerge, Chairman Bao’en quickly descended from the carriage with the help of the two maids and hurried towards Chu Feng.
Three days had passed, and not only had Bao’en’s complexion turned pale, but his skin surface looked as if it had been scorched, alarmingly red.
His mental state was extremely poor, and he was nearly in a state of collapse.
This was all from being burned.
"Chu... Brother Chu, was it a success?" Chairman Bao’en asked in a hoarse voice.
His gaze was fixed intently on Chu Feng, filled with desperate hope. His life hung in the balance, depending on Chu Feng.
Even though he was the president of the Alchemy Master Guild of Jianyun Dynasty, with a noble status, usually composed and majestic, at this moment, he was as impatient as a child. With his life at stake, Bao’en simply could not remain calm.
Chu Feng grinned, revealing his teeth, "It worked as expected," and he handed the Jade Box to Chairman Bao’en.
Upon the opening, Bao’en’s face instantly showed wild joy, and he almost couldn’t wait to swallow the Golden Talisman Elixir that Chu Feng had concocted for him.
"Immense gratitude needs no expression of thanks..." Bao’en bowed to Chu Feng.
Before he could finish speaking, Chu Feng smiled and waved his hand, "No need for formalities, Chairman Bao should quickly get back in the carriage and refine the elixir’s power!" Chu Feng watched as Chairman Bao’en’s carriage drove away.
He then headed straight for Sword King Mansion.
In fact, it took less than a day to refine the Golden Talisman Elixir for Chairman Bao’en.
During these three days, most of Chu Feng’s time was spent concocting elixirs to surge into the Sword Master Realm.
Having not returned to the Sword King Mansion for several days, it was inevitable that his brother and sister-in-law were worried.
Chu Feng decided to go back to take a look.
As he approached the Sword Pavilion operated by the Han Family, a strange woman approached him.
When they passed by each other, the woman bumped into Chu Feng.
"Shishi has instructed me to deliver this to the Lord," the strange woman unexpectedly addressed Chu Feng as "Lord," which he found quite peculiar.
In his memory, only strategists who served masters with intentions of contending for the Emperor’s Throne would address them as "Lord."
Perhaps Li Shishi believed Chu Feng had intentions of vying for the throne and thus addressed him accordingly.
A secret letter appeared in Chu Feng’s hand.
The strange woman murmured only a brief sentence, as if she didn’t recognize Chu Feng, and quickly left.
Upon returning to the Sword King Mansion, his brother and sister-in-law were indeed anxious about Chu Feng. When they saw him return, there was no shortage of their earnest admonishing.
Only these true relatives would always be concerned about Chu Feng’s safety.
This made Chu Feng cherish this home even more.
Chu Feng’s gaze swept the hall, keenly noticing the armor and cloaks hanging on the rack had been changed. They were once only Lieutenant’s armor, but now they had been replaced with gear that only Fanged Generals could wear.
This signified that his senior brother had been promoted once again.
Although a Fanged General belonged to the lowest rank of generals, the astonishing speed of Chu Jianlan’s promotions within such a short period of months was rather frightening.
An anomaly often precedes mischief.
What exactly was Minister Wu of the Ministry of War planning?
Unfortunately, his senior brother was still kept in the dark by this person, actually believing that it was through his own abilities and some good luck that he had achieved such swift promotions.
Chu Feng knew that whatever he said now, his brother would not listen.
It was better to just watch quietly and protect his senior brother from the shadows.
It would be good to ascend his brother’s rank through Minister Wu’s hands as well.
In the future, Chu Feng was determined to annihilate the Jianyun Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Second Prince, and their entire clan, and then promote his own senior brother to the throne.
If Chu Jianlan remained just a soldier before being abruptly elevated to the exalted Emperor’s Throne, it would be hard to convince others.
If Chu Jianlan could become a General, gain some renown, and command a group of loyal followers, then pushing him to ascend to the throne would be like sailing downwind, making it much easier to achieve success.
Moreover, this would secure the stability of Chu Jianlan’s rule as Emperor.
After returning to his own room, Chu Feng took out the secret letter and unfolded it, revealing Li Shishi’s elegant handwriting.
Li Shishi was not only beautiful but also had a neat and graceful script.
Being able to win over Li Shishi, the head of intelligence, was extremely fortunate for Chu Feng. It was also of great assistance to his future endeavors.
"Seeing this letter as seeing your face, please read it personally, my Lord! I have investigated the matter of Minister Wu’s ancestral tomb relocation and have arrived at a result. Minister Wu has invited a Feng Shui master to select a precious site for his ancestors’ spirits.
"The result is in Jiangyin Nanling, where two majestic mountains stand like two dragons locked in battle, with a round hillock in between. This configuration is called ’Twin Dragons Battle for the Pearl.’
"According to the Feng Shui expert’s secret assessment, it is very likely that new Dragon Veins will be formed there. Thus, he advised Minister Wu to exhume his ancestors’ bones and bury them within the converging energy points of the two mountains, and then to steal bones of the Imperial Family and bury them in the round hillock."
"In this way, no matter which dragon prevails, the Wu family can become the True Emperor."