Chapter 260: The Truth is About to be Unveiled
"According to Li Leifeng's judgment, Ning Zhuo possessed a profound talent for mechanisms, judging that he could stand out at the age of six."
"But in fact, Ning Zhuo had always been mediocre. It wasn't until the recent emergence of the Lava Immortal Palace that he revealed his talent, suddenly becoming a prominent figure."
Zhu Xuanji had long collected much intelligence on Ning Zhuo and knew his growth trajectory.
Previously, Zhu Xuanji had thought that Ning Zhuo had been accumulating, slowly preparing for a great leap forward. After changing his cultivation, he gradually discovered his innate talent and then shone brightly.
But now, Li Leifeng's jade slip shattered his previous understanding.
"If Ning Zhuo could perform the drama of Fang Qing Washing Away Injustice at the age of five, judging by his control over puppets, his foundation must be exceptionally solid!"
"Ning Zhuo made a mistake in the Ning Family's grand examination due to nervousness... Clearly, that was part of his act."
"Looking at it this way, Ning Zhuo has been hiding his true abilities and pretending to be ordinary since he was very young."
"He kept hiding for over ten years, only recently choosing to reveal his talents."
"But why?" Zhu Xuanji was deeply puzzled.
"Why would Ning Zhuo, a child from a branch of the Ning family, choose to hide his abilities and disguise himself?"
"Why did he behave so ordinary during his long academic life?"
"Clearly, if Ning Zhuo had shown his talent and potential, the family would have prioritized his training!"
Zhu Xuanji thought of Ning Xiaoren.
"Could it be that there's internal strife within the Ning family?"
"The key is, if this kid has been disguising himself since the age of three or four, how strong must his mental fortitude be?"
"Such deep thinking is simply terrifying!"
Thinking of this, Zhu Xuanji felt a chill run through his heart.
"So Ning Zhuo has deliberately concealed himself for over ten years?"
"During this time, did Ning Zhuo not experience any youthful vanity or impulsiveness?"
"Or... could it be that there's someone extraordinary guiding him from behind?"
The more Zhu Xuanji thought, the more questions he had.
The more he uncovered, the more problems arose in his mind.
"Ning Zhuo has an issue!" Zhu Xuanji thought with certainty.
He had already begun to suspect Ning Zhuo before, but he knew that these suspicions were unfounded. He simply felt that there was something inexplicably strange and unnatural about Ning Zhuo.
Looking at things now, Zhu Xuanji understood the reason!
"I have investigated countless cases, tracked down real criminals, and accumulated a wealth of experience, developing a keen instinct for solving cases."
"Ning Zhuo performed exceptionally well, without any obvious flaws or irrational behavior."
"However, a performance is still a performance, and there will always be a gap between it and the truth!"
Zhu Xuanji had witnessed too many instances of truth and deception. Even when his logic couldn’t identify anything, his intuition had already sensed something strange and unnatural.
When this sense of unnaturalness reached a certain point, Zhu Xuanji couldn’t help but start suspecting Ning Zhuo.
"Ning Zhuo, what role exactly are you playing in the struggle surrounding the Lava Immortal Palace?"
Zhu Xuanji furrowed his brows, staring at the night sky.
Tonight, the moon was hazy, veiled by clouds.
Various pieces of intelligence and countless clues flickered in Zhu Xuanji’s mind, rising and falling. They swirled together into a massive vortex.
Zhu Xuanji stared at the clouds covering the moon as if he were looking at the fog in his own mind.
He had a strong feeling—he was just one clue away.
Like a puzzle, it was only missing that final crucial piece!
If he could find it and piece it together, he would be able to tear away the fog obscuring his vision, allowing the moon, named Truth, to fully reveal itself.
"So... the Historical Pavilion is that final puzzle piece!" A golden light flashed in Zhu Xuanji's eyes.
A sudden impulse surged within him to immediately fly back to the Lava Immortal Palace and personally watch Ning Xiaohui to thoroughly investigate the Historical Pavilion.
"No, no, no, I can’t do that."
Zhu Xuanji lowered his head, pacing back and forth in deep thought.
He had completely lost himself in his own world of thoughts, forgetting everything around him.
Zhu Hou watched him think with a smile on his face, not making a sound, just quietly observing.
As a senior, he was filled with admiration and gratification, seeing the young royalty perform so well.
Zhu Xuanji quickly reviewed everything that had happened. From the moment he arrived in Huoshi Immortal City to now, Ning Zhuo had appeared far too frequently in all events.
"Ning Zhuo must have played some relatively important role."
"Perhaps he is the largest fog obscuring the truth!"
"But I can’t tear it apart; I lack direct evidence."
"Even if I brought out Li Leifeng’s report, Ning Zhuo would have countless explanations and excuses."
"In fact, even if he confessed to having disguised himself for over ten years, what could be done?"
"Perhaps I should conduct a sudden inspection to check what he usually carries in his storage items?"
"No, that’s also not the right approach!"
Zhu Xuanji reasoned that Ning Zhuo was only at the Qi Refining stage, and even if he was deeply involved with the mastermind, he was nothing more than a useful pawn.
Even if Zhu Xuanji were to pry open this pawn and reveal the hidden truth beneath, what good would it do?
"It would only alert the real mastermind and provoke conflict."
"Right now, Ning Xiaohui is one key, and Ning Zhuo is another."
With this realization, Zhu Xuanji made a decision.
He first wrote a secret letter to inquire about Zhu Zhen.
After Zhu Zhen halted his investigation, he had secretly sought out Zhu Xuanji, offering to contribute more.
Zhu Xuanji had stationed him inside the Lava Immortal Palace, disguising him as an outsider cultivator rather than exposing his royal identity. He instructed him to work diligently and continuously accumulate merit.
In reality, Zhu Xuanji had assigned Zhu Zhen an even more important task—over the past few days, Zhu Zhen had been secretly responsible for protecting and monitoring Ning Xiaohui!
"Now that I’m outside the palace, this might actually be an opportunity."
Zhu Xuanji crafted a secret jade slip, instructing Zhu Zhen to focus all efforts on guarding Ning Xiaohui!
At the same time, Zhu Xuanji retrieved an ornate mirror from his storage belt.
This mirror was exceptionally exquisite and luxurious.
The entire mirror was encircled by a lifelike golden phoenix. The phoenix’s wings spread around the mirror, its feathers fine and delicate, as if each one was gently quivering.
The phoenix’s head was held high, its eyes like stars, radiating majesty and mystery. Its beak slightly parted, as if chanting an ancient incantation. Its long tail coiled gracefully below the frame, adding a touch of elegance and vitality to the mirror.
The Golden Phoenix Mirror!
This was something Zhu Xuanji had retrieved from the royal vault of Southern Dou.
The King of Southern Dou had specifically told him that this Golden Phoenix Mirror originally belonged to the Lava Immortal Palace, but it had been seized by the previous emperor.
If returned to the Lava Immortal Palace, it would surely earn a massive merit reward!
Zhu Xuanji had kept this treasure as a hidden card, waiting for the right time to use it.
Now, he decisively took it out, intending to secretly hand it to Ning Xiaohui through Zhu Zhen.
By having Ning Xiaohui offer it up, she could quickly accumulate massive merit.
In this way, Ning Xiaohui could instantly secure a position in the Historical Pavilion.
This was the crucial move to break the current stalemate!
Zhu Xuanji hadn’t originally planned to make such a costly decision. But after obtaining Li Leifeng’s report, he had sensed a deep chill from Ning Zhuo.
This prompted him to make such a decision.
"Ning Zhuo... He’s another key, the most important witness."
"He must be fully recruited!"
With this thought, Zhu Xuanji's gaze focused, and he returned to his senses.
He smiled at Zhu Hou, feeling somewhat embarrassed.
Zhu Hou waved his hand, not minding at all. "Helping you is my greatest pleasure," he said.
Zhu Xuanji replied, "Uncle, I’ve changed my mind. Tomorrow, I’ll attend your inauguration ceremony, and I’m also bringing someone with me."
Zhu Hou was intrigued. "Oh? Your intense contemplation earlier was because of this person?"
Zhu Xuanji had no reason to hide anything from Zhu Hou and admitted, "That's right. This person’s name is Ning Zhuo, the talent recorded in Li Leifeng’s report."
"Although he’s only a Qi Refining stage cultivator and only sixteen years old, he’s the most unique young man I’ve ever met."
"Many times, I can’t quite figure him out!"
Zhu Hou was stunned.
He had watched the young Zhu Xuanji rise rapidly step by step and was well aware of his talents.
This was the first time he had ever seen Zhu Xuanji speak so highly of someone—and that person was only sixteen years old and at the Qi Refining stage.
Zhu Hou grew even more curious and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, now I’m really looking forward to tomorrow’s ceremony."
"Ning Zhuo, right? I’ll make sure to take a good look at this young genius who has caught your attention!"
The next day.
"Bad news, bad news! Young master, wake up, wake up quickly!" The frantic voice of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit roused Ning Zhuo from his sleep.
Ning Zhuo lay in bed and suddenly opened his eyes. "What happened? Has the Lava Immortal Palace's defense barrier been shattered?"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit replied, "No, it's worse than that."
"This morning, Ning Xiaohui received a treasure called the Golden Phoenix Mirror, and she's preparing to offer it to the Immortal Palace!"
"The Golden Phoenix Mirror is originally a treasure of the Immortal Palace, paired with the Jade Dragon Mirror, and used for the Mirror Platform Spirit Technique."
"Now that she’s offering such an important treasure, her merit will skyrocket, instantly surpassing the minimum standard required for a position in the Historical Pavilion!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was extremely agitated.
Ning Zhuo immediately felt a tightness in his chest and sat up halfway. "What?!"
He was about to question the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit further about this urgent situation when Ning Jiufan's voice came from outside. "Ning Zhuo, wake up, I’m taking you out."
Ning Zhuo's heart sank, and he quickly pushed the door open, still in his inner robe, to greet Ning Jiufan.
Ning Jiufan grabbed Ning Zhuo by the collar and flew into the sky.
During the flight, he explained, "The Kindergarten for Benevolence is holding its inauguration ceremony today. Zhu Xuanji is presiding over it, and because you’ve donated to the kindergarten several times, he specifically invited you to attend."
"I didn’t expect Lord Zhu Xuanji to think so highly of you. Xiao Zhuo, you must perform well."
"Understood?"
Ning Zhuo felt an icy chill in his heart but displayed surprise and excitement outwardly. "I’ve always been grateful to Lord Li Leifeng! When I was young, I stole leftover pastries from guests at the Kindergarten for Benevolence. Lord Li Leifeng found me, but he didn’t chase me away. Instead, he invited me for several rounds of fresh tea and pastries."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was dumbfounded.
It watched as Ning Zhuo was taken away, leaving the Lava Immortal Palace. Only then did it react, subconsciously extending its dragon claw, its four fingers outstretched.
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit gazed at Ning Zhuo’s distant figure and shouted, "No—!"
"Come back."
"Ning Zhuo, come back quickly!"
"Ning Xiaohui is about to enter the Historical Pavilion and uncover the whole truth!"
Ning Zhuo’s heart grew cold, as if he were standing in a snowfield, freezing to the bone.
"Ning Xiaohui suddenly obtained a treasure she could offer, and I’m being taken away from the Lava Immortal Palace at this critical moment."
"This must be Zhu Xuanji’s doing!"
"Zhu Xuanji’s suspicions of me have deepened. Where did I expose a flaw?"
"Could it be that Han Ming has been captured?!"
(End of Chapter)