At the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan's carriage landing square...

"Little Comrade, why are you in such a hurry to leave? Is it because Master Fu-Jin didn't pay attention to you? Or is there something else that displeases you? If so, you can tell me, and I'll…"

"Thank you so much, Elder Pao-Da, for your kindness! There's nothing wrong. I don't think too much about what happened just now. I only want to go back because I miss my little sister. Besides, I feel it wouldn't be fun for me to stay. But why did you both follow me when they welcomed you so warmly?" Zheng-Fu turned back to thank the middle-aged man, Pao-Da, before explaining the reason he had left. He was truthful in his explanation and also asked Pao-Da in return why he had followed him out.

"It's true what Little Comrade said. The Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan welcomed us well, but we can't stand by when we see them undervalue you. Besides, our visit wasn't really for the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan; it was because of you, Little Comrade!" Master Chou-Bing stated plainly.

"Because of me!?" Zheng-Fu feigned ignorance upon hearing Master Chou-Bing's words.

"That's right, Little Comrade. I came here because of you. Because I want to…"

"If you both have something to say to me, let's wait until we leave here. We'd better talk in my carriage. I don't want to draw anyone else's attention. Then we can talk comfortably!" Zheng-Fu interrupted Master Chou-Bing before he could finish. Then he told Chou-Bing and Pao-Da to follow him to his carriage and have a chat after they left this place.

Ah!

Hearing this, the two masters ordered their drivers to take their carriages back first. Then they followed Zheng-Fu to his simple carriage.

"Driver, we can go now. Take us to Heavenly Command Lake!" Once everyone had boarded the carriage, Zheng-Fu instructed his driver to set off. The destination Zheng-Fu wanted to go to was Heavenly Command Lake, a place he chose because of its tranquility.

"Yes, sir, Master!"

"Heavenly Command Lake!? Why are we going to Heavenly Command Lake, Little Comrade?" Master Pao-Da asked curiously.

"I think there will be few people there. It should be a peaceful place," Zheng-Fu explained his reason for choosing Heavenly Command Lake.

"Well! Let's pick up where we left off earlier. Master Chou-Bing, do you have something to discuss with me?" Sensing that the carriage had moved beyond the Sky Thunder-Heavenly Star Clan's area, Zheng-Fu promptly asked.

Hmm!

"What I want to say to Little Comrade isn't complicated. I'd like to borrow the cauldron you auctioned. But if it troubles you, that's fine. I'm just asking..."

"I was wondering what it was about; turns out, it's just about the cauldron? Hmm! Actually, if it's just about the cauldron, Elder Chou-Bing, I can give it to you right away. But you'll need to give me three Sacred World Divine Pills in exchange. What does Elder think?" Zheng-Fu had anticipated this request and had already planned to exchange the cauldron for three tenth-level pills from Chou-Bing.

"You mean to say Little Comrade will give me the cauldron in exchange for three tenth-level pills? Are you serious?" Chou-Bing was shocked and found it hard to believe Zheng-Fu would agree so easily, especially without knowing when the pills could be completed.

"Why would I lie, Elder? If you promise to give me three Sacred World Divine Pills after successfully concocting them, you can take the cauldron right now!" Zheng-Fu nodded, smiling slightly as he repeated his words.

"All right! I accept your offer. And I promise to give you four Sacred World Divine Pills instead!" Chou-Bing, overjoyed, agreed to Zheng-Fu's terms and offered one additional pill as a gesture of gratitude.

"Thank you, Elder Chou-Bing. This cauldron is yours now!" With the deal settled, Zheng-Fu handed over the cauldron he had auctioned and then turned to Master Pao-Da, who had been listening silently.

"This time, it's your turn, Elder Pao-Da. What would you like to say to me?"

"What I want to say... Hmm... I want to thank you for helping me break the bottleneck I've been stuck on for years. But I don't know what to give you in return. So, I'd like to ask what you want. If it's within my reach, I'll find it for you right away!"

What Pao-Da wanted to discuss with Zheng-Fu was about how Zheng-Fu had helped him reach the eighth level of the Deity Path. He also wanted to ask Zheng-Fu what he desired in return.

"A reward? Hmm! Actually, I don't need anything in return. However, to honor your goodwill, I'd like to ask for a small favor. What I'm asking for is neither difficult nor complicated. I simply want you to help protect my restaurant, which is currently under renovation. With your power, Elder Pao-Da, I believe no one would dare to cause trouble at my restaurant!"

For Zheng-Fu, material possessions weren't important since he already had plenty of crystals and could buy whatever he needed, as long as it was available. Therefore, what he sought from Pao-Da was the support and influence that Pao-Da could provide.

"Huh? Tavern!? Does Little Comrade run a tavern? And where is it? I'll order the Sacred Divine-Thunder Fortress Clan's men to guard it. I'll also declare that your tavern is under our clan's protection!" Pao-Da was taken aback by Zheng-Fu's request. Initially, he thought Zheng-Fu might ask for something extraordinary and didn't expect him to prioritize protecting a tavern.

"Thank you, Elder Pao-Da, for accepting my request. As for the location, my tavern is in a poor neighborhood. I'll tell the driver to take us there!" Zheng-Fu thanked Master Pao-Da.

"Little Comrade, if you don't mind, I'd like to be part of your tavern's protection as well. May I? If so, I'll send the Heavenly Forest Force's men to help guard it, and I'll also announce that your tavern is under our protection!" Master Chou-Bing interrupted, eager to offer his support in addition to Pao-Da's.

Ah!!

"Elder Chou-Bing really means that? If so, that's wonderful! With Master Chou-Bing's help too, I'll feel so much more at ease!" Hearing Chou-Bing's offer, Zheng-Fu's face lit up with a genuinely happy smile. Having the backing of two renowned high-ranking figures brought him immense reassurance.

"Little Comrade, don't be so formal with us!"

"Yes, exactly! What you've done for us far outweighs this small favor. This is well within our abilities and isn't difficult at all!"

Both Pao-Da and Chou-Bing dismissed Zheng-Fu's gratitude, feeling that what they had received from him was far greater than what he was asking in return.

"Still, I have to thank you both very much! All right, let's go see my tavern. Driver, please take us there."

Half an hour later...

"Here we are, Master!"

When the carriage stopped in front of Gratitude Tavern, which was under renovation, the driver announced their arrival.

"Thank you very much!" Zheng-Fu said to the driver before leading the two middle-aged men out of the carriage.

"This is Little Comrade's tavern?" Master Pao-Da asked as he stepped out and saw the building under construction.

"Yes, sir, Elder Pao-Da. It's currently being renovated. I've hired a group of craftsmen from the Ten Thousand Mechanisms Store to help design, renovate, and reconstruct it. The work will take at least two months to complete. But during this time, I'm afraid that ill-wishers might interfere and stir up trouble. That's why I sought your help!"

Zheng-Fu nodded and responded to the middle-aged man, Pao-Da, explaining the reasons why he wanted Pao-Da to be his supporter.

Oh!

"I see! This is a simple matter, Little Comrade. Once I return to the clan, I'll immediately send five intermediate Heavenly Star stage skilled masters and one at the advanced level to guard it. Judging by the situation, there must already be ill-wishers targeting you. Otherwise, there wouldn't be ten advanced Heavenly Golden Core stage skilled masters stationed here!" Pao-Da said, glancing around.

"That's correct, sir. Even though I already have ten advanced Heavenly Golden Core stage skilled masters here, I still feel it's not enough. That's why I need help from both of you!" Zheng-Fu answered honestly, without holding anything back.

"Rest assured, Little Comrade. Both of us will support you. Our reputations are well-respected!" Pao-Da declared confidently. His recent promotion to the eighth level of the Deity Soul stage gave his words even greater weight than those of his clan leader.

"Exactly as Master Pao-Da said. Just mentioning our names will deter low- and medium-ranking clans from daring to offend you, Little Comrade. As for the bigger clans, it depends on the severity of the issue. But for minor matters, you can rest assured!"

"Thank you again, Elders. But I must bid you farewell for now," Zheng-Fu said.

Huh?

"I need to return to my little sister. Let's meet again another time. By the way, if you ever need to find me, I live on Non-Identify Mountain in the northern area of the Heavenly Command Sect, about a thousand lis from the capital," Zheng-Fu added before leaving, his voice pitched so only the three of them could hear.

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