Chapter 542: Chapter 130: Perch Bird (Two in One)_3
Ning Zhuo said, “This soup gleams with silver light and hints of ginkgo. The most likely candidate is the Silver Feather Perching Bird.”
Shuangjing’s face broke into a faint smile. “Military Adviser Ning really has outstanding strategies, your guess is accurate.”
After saying this, he spoke no more.
Ning Zhuo felt slightly puzzled since Shuangjing’s previous invitation had been warm and friendly, clearly aiming for closeness. However, after attending the banquet, he began to behave more reservedly.
It seemed that without external threats and dressed in a brocade robe, Shuangjing reverted to the role of a noble family’s scion.
The second dish was promptly served at the round table.
It was a roasted dish.
A blossoming flower displayed a roasted chicken in its center.
Ning Zhuo identified it and realized it wasn’t roasted chicken, but roasted bird.
The bird’s surface was glazed with honey, garnished with cherries and cherry blossoms, presenting a romantic appeal.
Ning Zhuo picked up his chopsticks and after tasting a piece of the bird meat, his eyes brightened.
The bird meat was sweet and crisp, uniquely delightful, evoking thoughts of spring, a spring breeze caressing the face, and cherry blossoms dancing like rain.
Shuangjing waited until Ning Zhuo put down his chopsticks before asking what the main ingredient was.
Ning Zhuo replied, “It must also be a Perching Bird, specifically the Cherry Love Perching Bird.”
Shuangjing nodded, smiling without speaking.
A thought struck Ning Zhuo, grasping Shuangjing’s intention, yet he did not reveal it.
When the third Spirit Food dish was served, it was shaped like a “Medicinal Chicken.”
Ning Zhuo channeled his Mana and sliced open the “Medicinal Chicken,” revealing purple rice and purple potatoes spilling out from the “chicken belly.”
After tasting it, Ning Zhuo couldn’t help but nod slightly.
The sweet purple rice and the delicate purple potatoes blended with the tender chicken created a profound flavor, calming his mind and heart, clearing the thoughts in his Divine Sea and Upper Dantian.
Without waiting for Shuangjing to respond, Ning Zhuo volunteered, “This must be the Purple Wisdom Perching Bird.”
Seeing Ning Zhuo’s smile and meaningful look, Shuangjing knew the time was ripe and finally threw out the carefully prepared persuasion.
“Perch Birds have long, thin beaks, which they insert into tree trunks to suck the sap for sustenance.”
“When they breed, they insert their beaks deep into the trunk, infusing their life essence into the tree.”
“The same Perch Bird, depending on the tree it chooses, yields different offspring.”
“From a ginkgo tree, the offspring are Silver Feather Perching Birds, which fly swiftly, wings flashing, with a clear chirping.”
“From Sakura Trees, the offspring are Cherry Love Perching Birds, with light pink bodies, light and soft singing, with a touch of melancholy.”
“From Rosewood Trees, the offspring are Purple Wisdom Perching Birds, with deep purple feathers, capable of understanding human speech, and exceedingly intelligent.”
Pausing, Shuangjing added, “The type of tree often determines the kind of Perching Bird it nurtures.”
“It is evident how important the growth environment is for a bird, or a person!”
“Military Adviser Ning, you are a young and brilliant person from a noble family. Honestly, I don’t quite understand how you joined the Three Generals Camp?”
“You are like a talented gem, and what is the Three Generals Camp? It’s like an unnamed, crooked tree.”
Ning Zhuo smiled and shook his head. “Does Lord Shuang intend to persuade me to leave the Three Generals Camp and join the White Jade Camp?”
Ning Zhuo had already discussed Shuangjing’s recruiting intentions with Sun Lingtong before coming and sensed Shuangjing’s intent.
But Shuangjing shook his head, “My White Jade Camp has been decimated, and we are now in ruins. This rebuilding process lacks the previous level of support.”
“To invite you, Military Adviser Ning, with such a troop, how could it show my sincerity?”
Outside.
The sky was clear and sunny.
A flock of Silver Feather Perching Birds fell from the blue sky, their wings creating bright silver lines in the air.
They dived swiftly, almost in a death-seeking manner, “crashing” into the dense canopy of a large tree.
The flock chirped and flapped their wings; the sound of the wind and rustling leaves blended into a strong surge of noise, drowning out the conversation inside.
After Shuangjing spoke, he looked at Ning Zhuo with intense expectation.
Ning Zhuo slightly widened his eyes, a hint of astonishment appearing between his brows.
He glanced outside at the noisy flock of Silver Feather Perching Birds, his thoughts churning within that brief moment.
When he turned back to face Shuangjing, his expression had returned to serene, “A house servant?”
Shuangjing nodded, “To become my house servant, that’s my sincerity!”
“You should know the weight of my surname, right?”
Ning Zhuo nodded.
Of course, he knew.
The Shuang surname was the royal surname of Liangzhu Country!
Shuangjing took out a Jade Slip, slowly handing it over to Ning Zhuo, “This is the salary after becoming a house servant.”
“I know you’ve earned four pieces of National Power with your military exploits.”
“If you become my house servant, this status would be many levels higher than your current Military Adviser.”
“When drawing on National Power, you would have nearly triple the efficiency.”
“From this point alone, it is as if your military exploits have suddenly tripled in value. Isn’t that significant?”
Ning Zhuo maintained a solemn face.
He infused his Divine Sense into the Jade Slip, feeling his heart stir.
Shuangjing’s offer was very generous, even not infringing on Ning Zhuo’s freedom.
As long as Ning Zhuo wished to leave and was unwilling to be a house servant, he could shed this status at any time!
So, should he become one of the high-ranking house servants of Liangzhu Country?