Mysteries of Immortal Puppet Master - Chapter 1522

Chapter 1522: Chapter 626: Willing Surrender! (Part 2)

“That damned Ning Zhuo, his words are as cutting as his Mechanical Techniques!”

“How did we invest in Flowing Gold Guest? He was clearly manipulated by you, becoming your pawn!”

“And now, you act as though you are the victim after what you said?!”

The cultivators of Flowing Cloud Peak stared daggers at Ning Zhuo, wishing to skin the big-headed youth alive.

War is the continuation of politics.

The conflict between Flowing Gold Guest and Ning Zhuo revolved around the greater scheme of Nanming Village’s peak assault.

Ning Zhuo’s defeat of Flowing Gold Guest was never the main goal. It was the speech just now!

Losers stay silent, winners speak.

No matter how many or how hateful the cultivators of Flowing Cloud Peak were, at this moment, they could only remain silent and listen to Ning Zhuo’s victorious remarks.

“Bravo!”

“As expected of Ning Zhuo with such boundless Righteous Energy, given time, he will be a model for the Righteous Path.”

“Flowing Gold Guest is also quite pitiful, constantly exploited by the forces on Flowing Cloud Peak.”

In the audience, applause and praises for Ning Zhuo began to rise.

The guardian cultivators of the Martial Arts Arena announced the end of the battle and the defeat and victory of both sides. The array that separated the battlefield from the outside dissipated, and countless noises from outside rushed in like a heatwave, with various discussions flooding into Flowing Gold Guest’s ears.

Flowing Gold Guest trembled, and a mix of shame and anger quickly surfaced, enlivening his otherwise gray, lifeless complexion.

Prior to this battle, Flowing Gold Guest would have been filled with resentment; yet now, he felt a sense of relief.

Ning Zhuo announced no further challenge to him, leaving him with no reason to continue fighting unwillingly.

He suddenly recalled the message secretly delivered to him last night by the Evil Slaying Hall.

Evil Slaying Hall informed Flowing Gold Guest that Ning Zhuo’s strength was far superior to his, and that Ning Zhuo’s character and behavior were enough to ensure safety. They advised Flowing Gold Guest to surrender promptly upon sensing things were amiss to avoid the fate of being beheaded a third time. Additionally, they suggested Flowing Gold Guest might join Ning Zhuo!

At that time, he sneered at and resented the advice, secretly vowing to teach Ning Zhuo a lesson and prove himself thoroughly. Now upon reflection, he sees its rationale!

Critically, he experienced a vicious beating from Snow-colored Girl·Hui and deeply sensed the difference in battle capacity and foundation between himself and Ning Zhuo.

“The Evil Slaying Hall was right. Even though I could gain support from various forces on Flowing Cloud Peak, wasn’t Ning Zhuo backed by another superpower?”

“What’s strange about losing to such an extraordinary figure? Why should there be regret and resentment?”

With this thought, Flowing Gold Guest suddenly felt his world expand, and his perspective broadened significantly.

Flowing Gold Guest slowly lifted his head and looked at Ning Zhuo.

The golden light in his eyes scattered, with the former ferocity and newly born courage faded away completely.

Without needing to look back, he knew the expressions on Lei Wangyue and other cultivators from Flowing Cloud Peak.

“These people have thrown so much money at me for their own benefit, driven by dubious intentions. Though I signed a contract with them, Evil Slaying Hall’s advice holds true—I could uphold the contract by joining Nanming Village.”

As for returning?

Returning to bow to their whims and slave away for them?

On the contrary… joining Nanming Village would enable me to gain some leverage, with both backing and autonomy when serving various forces on Flowing Cloud Peak later.

Thinking of this, Flowing Gold Guest, with a dry voice, pleaded to Ning Zhuo: “Ning Zhuo… sir. You are generous. I, Flowing Gold Guest… concede.”

His voice was dry, initially stuttering, but flowed smoother the longer he spoke.

“You spared my life this time; I’m not one to forget such kindness!”

“I am willing to surrender.”

Pow!

The Martial Arts Arena exploded uproariously.

Many loose cultivators on the Cloud Bridge abruptly stood up, countless spectators nearby changed expressions.

Flowing Cloud Peak’s forces felt as though swept by a cold wind, their barely maintained dignity instantly torn apart by this statement!

Not only did they lose the third battle, but they also failed to retain Flowing Gold Guest, whom they invested countless resources to push to the Quasi-Divine Power level.

Flowing Gold Guest defected at the last minute!

Jin Mantang’s face alternated between green and white, the beads of his pearl string snapped, scattering gems everywhere, but he didn’t bend down to pick them up.

Lei Wangyue stood still, thunder flicking in his eyes like a storm trapped within his pupils.

Ye Qingming snapped, completely shattering the teacup in his hand.

“Hahaha.” Red Robe Guest laughed heartily.

Chun Yangzi took a deep breath, leaned back in his seat, feeling exceptionally pleased.

Tu Yuanzi finally couldn’t suppress himself, clenching his right fist, internally cheering.

Ning Zhuo felt quite surprised.

He truly hadn’t anticipated this outcome.

But he quickly responded, promptly expressing welcome to Flowing Gold Guest, saying, “Brother, we wouldn’t have known each other without a fight!”

He immediately manipulated Snow-colored Girl·Hui, lifting the ice blockade and gently assisting Flowing Gold Guest up.

Meanwhile, Ning Zhuo remained on the Green Forest Python Chariot, cautiously safeguarding against the possibility that “Flowing Gold Guest might actually harbor resentment and seek to lure Ning Zhuo close and end together in doom.”

Ning Zhuo, with a smile, advised Brother Flowing Gold Guest should take good rest, then controlled Snow-colored Girl·Hui to escort Flowing Gold Guest straight out of the Martial Arts Arena.

He commanded the Green Forest Python Chariot to arrive at the center of the Martial Arts Arena, then cupped his fist in all directions before turning to the seats of Flowing Cloud Peak: “Ning Zhuo was lucky to win the third battle.”

This word “lucky” made many twitch at the corners of their mouths.

Ning Zhuo continued: “Brother Flowing Gold Guest joins my Nanming Village; from today on, he will be protected by our rules. If anyone covertly retaliates because of today’s events, though my cultivation level is low, I will visit personally to inquire.”

Unable to endure any longer, many cultivators from Flowing Cloud Peak turned and left in a huff.

Red Robe Guest slapped the armrest, laughing loudly.

Chun Yangzi slowly stood up, exuding a majestic and open aura, watching the embarrassed exit of numerous cultivators from Flowing Cloud Peak.

Deep within the Artifact Refining Hall.

Tie Kuang stood in front of the Black Iron Furnace, just finishing an Artifact Refining session.

At this moment, the furnace flames reflected on his bare arms, and his hardened muscles protruding like iron themselves.

A subordinate approached lightly, reporting and handing over the combat image jade slip of Flowing Gold Guest and Ning Zhuo’s three battles.

Tie Kuang’s divine sense delved in, after a moment: “What a Golden Core Mechanism. Send someone else to meet Ning Zhuo again.”

The longer circumstances drag, the more unfavorable it is for the Artifact Refining Hall.

Tie Kuang knew that they must strive to promote the cooperative deal with Ning Zhuo.

Within the Evil Slaying Hall.

Zhong Dao listened to the battle report, and upon hearing “public capture,” he finally tapped the armrest with his finger.

“He indeed spared Flowing Gold Guest’s life.” Zhong Dao’s eyes flickered with a trace of appreciation for Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo’s previous display of Righteous Path skill led Zhong Dao to assess that Ning Zhuo would never truly kill Flowing Gold Guest, risking small losses for greater ones and placing himself in a point of blame.

This is why Zhong Dao specifically ordered secret messages to Flowing Gold Guest, advising surrender in advance.

Now, the Evil Slaying Hall not only bears no “previously secretly supporting Flowing Gold Guest, dispatching him to spar with Ning Zhuo” risks but also smoothly planted a nail in Nanming Village. To some degree, the Evil Slaying Hall’s influence over Flowing Gold Guest is unchanged, if not increased!

“Ning Zhuo, I wonder how far you can go?”

With this expectation, Zhong Dao softly ordered: “Continue observing. Especially keep an eye on the Sun Raising Yang Locking Cloud Altar dispute.”

Danxia Peak.

A disciple presented the battle report, Wang Yu glanced at it and laughed: “Flowing Gold Guest has joined Nanming Village?”

The disciple bowed his head: “Yes.”

Wang Yu placed the alchemy spoon back into the jade plate, making a soft, crisp sound.

“Good.” He spoke just one word.

Heavy Array Peak.

One of the Deputy Peak Masters, Yin Changgeng paced for a while, ultimately dismissed the thought of going to report to Dong Chen.

“I hope the Territorial Expansion Alliance’s grand plan won’t be disrupted by this… sigh, let’s observe a bit more.”

Pill Hall.

Shen Hongyao’s gaze burned brightly, staring at the images presented by the jade slip, absorbed in deep thought.

Ning Zhuo won.

Throughout the battle’s observation, Ning Zhuo practiced by fighting, winning with ease and confidence.

“He’s actually so powerful.”

“If I possessed such strength…”

Shen Hongyao couldn’t help but imagine herself in Ning Zhuo’s position, once again sinking into reverie.

The environment of the Pill Hall oppressed her, yet each time she envisioned herself in Ning Zhuo’s place, it brought a sense of relief.