Zhu Xuanji didn't show himself, but his divine sense penetrated the room, observing the puppet stage.
No one knew Zhu Xuanji's true intentions for arranging Ning Zhuo in such a manner.
He had at least three reasons in mind.
One was to verify what was written in the diary, to see Ning Zhuo's manipulation skills in the play "Fang Qing Redresses a Wrong."
Another was to use this to try to awaken and inspire Ning Zhuo.
The last was to use the play itself to persuade Ning Zhuo, giving him a final ultimatum — the chance to desert darkness for light was right in front of him, right now!
"These are the puppet mechanisms Li Leifeng used to perform while alive." Zhu Hou personally went on stage and handed Ning Zhuo a set of puppet props.
"Thank you." Ning Zhuo expressed his gratitude.
Close-up, Zhu Hou took a deep look at Ning Zhuo, filled with curiosity, and gave a warm smile: "Young man, do your best!"
Zhu Hou stepped off the stage, and Ning Zhuo began to study the puppets in his hands.
The puppets had a simple structure, primarily controlled by strings.
As Ning Zhuo grew familiar with them, a life-hanging thread shot out from the Magma Fairy Palace, linking to the top of his head and connecting to his soul.
The voice of the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was transmitted through the thread, anxious and urgent: "Young Master, Young Master!"
"It's terrible, Ning Xiaohui has presented the Golden Phoenix Mirror, we're doomed, we're doomed!"
"Once she achieves significant merit, she'll immediately take charge of the Historical Records Pavilion."
"By then, no secrets will remain hidden."
Ning Zhuo sighed and responded quietly through the thread: "Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit, I can't leave now, I can't escape!"
"Look, this puppet stage is a cage."
"That officer is watching me like a hawk."
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit's voice grew sharper, an urgent, heartburning tone: "Then what do we do, what do we do?"
"Think of something quickly!"
"I've told you before, act against Ning Xiaohui!"
"Now look, she's about to succeed, and you're still outside the Immortal Palace!!"
The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit almost wanted to curse aloud. At this life-and-death juncture, Ning Zhuo was actually going to perform some puppet show.
Wasn't he always resourceful? Why had he become so stupid now!
As soon as Zhu Xuanji stared at him, he couldn't move, completely reduced to a useless state!
"If I had known this, why would I have bet on you?"
"Alas!"
"I was truly blind, truly blind!"
In the main hall of the Magma Fairy Palace, the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit was agitated, pacing around and occasionally spewing flames.
Ning Zhuo no longer paid attention to the Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit.
On the puppet stage, there were three levels of podiums set up.
He climbed the steps and reached the highest point, sitting on a round stool.
This was the spot where Li Leifeng often sat during his life.
The round stool looked ordinary, but Ning Zhuo's back was already drenched with sweat, as if he were sitting on a thorn felt.
His thoughts raced, very clear that Zhu Xuanji was putting pressure on him, but was also giving him a chance to turn back!
As long as Ning Zhuo finished the puppet show, then met Zhu Xuanji again, knelt down, wept sorrowfully, and confessed that he had been too young, enticed by the Evil Sect cultivators, funded and supported, boarding a pirate ship.
Now, moved by Zhu Xuanji and feeling remorseful because of remembering Li Leifeng, he decided to confess his crimes, reform, and start anew.
At that time, Zhu Xuanji would definitely lift him up, allowing him to atone for his crimes with merit.
Ning Zhuo could completely contact Sun Lingtong, frame the Bukong Sect, and perform this play well.
"Zhu Xuanji allowing me to go on stage is actually giving me a way out. If I follow his lead and walk down the stage, I'll have the chance to reform."
"I could clear my name!"
"In the future, if I support Zhu Xuanji, I will achieve significant status on the Righteous Path. When people mention this stage, it will become a legendary tale."
"Just like these classic plays being passed down through the ages!"
Ning Zhuo squinted, emotions surging.
When talking with Song Fuli, he saw a second path to life. That path led to the Flying Cloud Country.
At this moment, he saw a third path to life. This path led to the Southern Bean Country, to the court.
It seemed that life truly wasn't limited to one path.
If he followed his original plan, determined to seize the Magma Fairy Palace, it would mean opposing Meng Kui and Zhu Xuanji, opposing the Meng Family and the Southern Bean Royal Family.
"Can the path I once chose... really succeed?"
"Can I really become the master of the Immortal Palace?"
"Even if I became the master of the Immortal Palace, how could I handle enemies like Meng Kui and Zhu Xuanji?"
"Could I just leave and go? Fly away with the Magma Fairy Palace?"
Ning Zhuo could not vouch for himself; he could not predict the future.
The path he once chose was fraught with danger, like plunging into endless magma, like committing suicide!
But, if he relied on Zhu Xuanji, it would be different.
Zhu Xuanji admired him!
About this, Ning Zhuo could completely feel it.
Exceptional talents often exist, but Bole is rare.
Depending on Zhu Xuanji, Ning Zhuo might soar to greatness. Ning Zhuo understood very well Zhu Xuanji's status within the royal family.
The Southern Bean Royal Family didn't lack Golden Cores, but Zhu Xuanji stood out among the Golden Core cultivators.
Cultivation level didn't mean everything; mindset, talent, and natural aptitude were key to the differences between cultivators.
Ning Zhuo believed, Zhu Xuanji's future was vast; he would be a major figure in the Southern Bean court!
"A wise person knows when to submit... The Nandou King has issued the Recruitment Decree."
"If I rely on Zhu Xuanji, I might continue to compete for the position of Immortal Palace Master. Then, by following the Recruitment Decree, offering up the Immortal Palace, I could become a court minister of Southern Bean Country, and advance rapidly with Zhu Xuanji's support!"
"Such a future..."
This was a future Ning Zhuo had never considered.
Perhaps, just as Zhu Xuanji had just reminded him — he was different now.
He was no longer a petty thief offstage; he had become a gentleman onstage!
Thump.
The musicians on both sides of the puppet stage began to play.
The sound of a large drum broke Ning Zhuo's contemplation.
Then...
Thump, thump, thump.
The large drum was beaten slowly.
Subsequently, the jinghu began to accompany, creating a serious atmosphere.
The puppet stage creaked; the platform sank and then rose, revealing a scene with numerous small mechanism structures.
The performing puppets stood within, their limbs extending with over a dozen strings.
The strings appeared faintly, but as Ning Zhuo infused them with mana, they disappeared, becoming completely transparent and invisible to the naked eye.
Ning Zhuo extended ten fingers, all hidden within his sleeves, starting a series of manipulative gestures.
At the tips of his fingers, the strings controlled each puppet, beginning the first act of "Fang Qing Redresses a Wrong."
On the main hall, the puppet of Fang Qing sat upright.
In front of him on the table were case files, a gavel, tokens, and writing materials.
The puppet of Fang Qing opened his mouth, exuding an aura of authority: "Bring the criminal into the court!"
Two constables, one on either side, brought a criminal to the front of the hall.
The criminal knelt, his face full of fear, but he maintained a calm facade.
Just this simple entrance made the audience astonished.
Puppets for performance differed from mechanical puppets used in battles; they were controlled by numerous strings, allowing for more detailed actions and expressions, even the tone could change based on the intensity of mana infusion.
Ning Zhuo manipulated these puppets with high proficiency, making them appear very lifelike, like real humans.
The puppet of Fang Qing continued to speak, detailing the criminal's offenses, which were precise and well-documented.
The criminal sang urgently, a tone embedded with resentment: "I am but a commoner, and you, Fang Qing, as a high official, relentlessly interrogate me!"
"In this world, many are like me. Why persecute only me?"
The puppet of Fang Qing sang: "Justice has a long reach, and spares no one. No matter the rank, all will be severely punished."
"The law is impartial; how dare you cunningly argue?"
"You are but an accomplice; do not think you can escape punishment."
Clap.
The puppet of Fang Qing accurately grasped the gavel on the table and struck it, emitting a sharp sound.
Then he shouted: "The evidence is conclusive, confess the true culprit now!"
The criminal puppet hung his head, saying nothing.
The constables took him away, heading toward the prison.
Opening the door.
Ning Xiaohui walked into the Historical Records Pavilion!
Her face was full of excitement and delight, not expecting to enter here so quickly, completing Zhu Xuanji's assigned mission.
"I've succeeded!"
"Though with the help of the Golden Phoenix Mirror, I ultimately succeeded."
"Hahaha!"
Ning Xiaohui laughed heartily, feeling immensely proud at this moment.
The Historical Records Pavilion was filled with countless jade slips.
Ning Xiaohui walked among them, touching the jade slips with her hands, smiling, eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
"From now on, I can also catch Master Zhu Xuanji's eye."
"Excellent, entering the Immortal Palace is the most suitable path for me."
"I have seized this opportunity of a lifetime!"
Ning Xiaohui quelled her excitement and began to use her position to search for past records in the Magma Fairy Palace.
She first pondered, then suddenly widened her eyes, discovering an incredibly shocking secret.
"A great discovery!"
"That mechanical black snake of the Zheng Family, it actually originated here?"
Ning Xiaohui was overjoyed, continuing her investigation.
Soon, her mouth opened wide in extreme astonishment.
"The Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit! There's something very wrong with this Dragon Turtle Fire Spirit!"
Ning Xiaohui became extremely excited; at this moment, she finally understood why Zhu Xuanji wanted her to investigate the Historical Records Pavilion.
This step was really too crucial!
"As expected of Master Zhu Xuanji! He must have had suspicions but lacked the evidence."
"What I have now is evidence, I've made a significant contribution!"
Ning Xiaohui was so excited, her face flushed, continuing to check.
But soon, the redness drained from her face, her eyes wide open in shock, and her excitement turned into horror and paleness.
"Ning Zhuo, Ning Zhuo..."
"It turns out to be you!!!"
"A conspiracy, a huge conspiracy."
"Too terrifying, you've been playing this role since you were two."
"In the Qi Refinement Realm, you're only in the Qi Refinement Realm, and you dare to plot against the Magma Fairy Palace! Absolutely audacious, unforgivable!!"
Ning Xiaohui scolded in her heart.
The truth was horrifying, chilling her to the core.
But soon, she became extremely excited again.
"Ning Zhuo, you criminal, I've caught you!"
"Hahaha, you're the real culprit!"
"You're finished, completely finished."
"I'm going to use you to make a great contribution. Joy, joy!"
Boom!
The next moment, there was a loud bang, and the Magma Fairy Palace shook violently.
Ning Xiaohui staggered, almost falling headlong.
She was filled with doubt and uncertainty: "What's going on? What happened?"