Chapter 102 Insufficient people
"My Lord, the Second Elder of the Cui Clan wishes to see you!"

Zhu Chengwu had just returned from the Xuzhou government office and was just about to take a rest to relieve the fatigue of not sleeping for several days when he was interrupted by Gao Yao's report.

"The second elder of the Cui family?"

Zhu Chengwu turned and looked at Gao Yao.

"Yes, sir!
He should have come here to fulfill his original promise!

It is very likely that he realized that Cui's Fire Lotus is actually the more precious Earth Core Fire Lotus, and therefore wanted to ask you to increase the stakes!"

Gao Yao expressed his guess.

As Zhu Chengwu's absolute confidant, Gao Yao knew about the deal between Zhu Chengwu and the second elder of the Cui family.

Hearing Gao Yao's narration, Zhu Chengwu frowned.

"Let him in!"

But in the end, Zhu Chengwu decided to meet the second elder of the Cui family.

Some things cannot be avoided.

If Zhu Chengwu didn't meet the Second Elder of the Cui Clan once, he felt that the Second Elder of the Cui Clan would come to bother him from time to time.

"Okay, my lord!"

Gao Yao bowed and retreated.

After a while, Gao Yao came back in with the white-haired second elder of the Cui family.

"Master Hou!"

The second elder of the Cui family followed Gao Yao, saluted Zhu Chengwu, bowed and clasped his fists in greeting.

Although the second elder of the Cui family is Cui Shujun's elder, although Cui Shujun and Zhu Chengwu are already married, although the second elder of the Cui family can also be regarded as Zhu Chengwu's elder!

But in actual interactions, Zhu Chengwu still has more say and higher status than the second elder of the Cui family.

When facing Zhu Chengwu, the second elder of the Cui family had to bow first.

This is also the "ritual" of the Ming Dynasty.

For non-direct relatives, social status is generally more important.

"Second Elder, are you used to living in the Marquis of Fu'an Mansion these days?

There's nothing wrong with the hospitality, right?
If there is, the Second Elder must tell me, so that I can see which servant is so ungrateful! "

Zhu Chengwu asked politely with a smile in his eyes.

“Nothing bad to say!

Fu'an Marquis Mansion is great!

I’m used to it too!

Thank you for your concern, Lord!"

The second elder of the Cui family replied quickly.

"That's good!

I have always been very happy to cooperate with Cui!
Don’t let some small things affect the relationship between the two parties! "

Hearing the answer from the second elder of the Cui family, Zhu Chengwu seemed relieved.

"My Lord, you once promised me that after you get Cui's rare treasures, you would focus on training my grandson and give him a chance to practice divine skills. I wonder if this promise still counts now?"

However, the second elder of the Cui family did not seem to understand Zhu Chengwu's underlying meaning of "don't let some trivial matters affect the relationship between the two parties" and directly brought the topic back on track.

"The promises I made have always been valid!

As long as your grandson, the Second Elder, comes to the Marquis' Mansion and passes my test, I will directly grant him one of the following: "Innate Qi", "A World Away at a Distance", or "Fire Palm"! "

When Zhu Chengwu looked at the second elder of the Cui family, a hint of inexplicableness flashed in his eyes.

Zhu Chengwu never thought of breaking the contract!
However, the second elder of the Cui family in front of him seemed to have other ideas.

"My Lord's words are as good as gold, and his reputation is known far and wide!
Of course I believe what the Marquis says!

Otherwise, I would not have sought cooperation with the Marquis in the first place!
Reveal to the Marquis the news that Cui family has hidden the rare Fire Lotus!
And has been secretly persuading the Cui clan to agree to your terms, Lord!"

Now he says he believes it, but actually, the second elder of Cui family was a little worried that Zhu Chengwu would go after him!

Judging from the incident in which Cui's rare treasure "Fire Lotus" suddenly turned into the high-level rare treasure "Earth Core Fire Lotus", Zhu Chengwu is far less "honest" than he showed in the past!
And with Zhu Chengwu's current strength and influence, if Zhu Chengwu wanted to break the contract, the second elder of the Cui family would have no way to stop him.

Now that he had once again received Zhu Chengwu's promise to continue to abide by his promise, the second elder of the Cui family could naturally put his worries aside a little.

“The second elder of the Cui family did a lot to facilitate the cooperation between the Cui family and the Fu’an Marquis’ Mansion.

Chief Steward Dai and Chief Steward Gao have reported all of this to me!

I will always remember the Second Elder's dedication and contributions."

Zhu Chengwu understood that the second elder of the Cui family wanted to take credit!

Moreover, the Second Elder of the Cui family has said so much, I am afraid that there will be a turning point soon and he will put forward more conditions!

"What I have done is nothing!
The fact that things went so smoothly is due to the great fortune of Lord Quan Lai, and also thanks to the hard work of everyone in the Marquis' Mansion!
But, Lord
Since Cui's Fire Lotus is not actually a Fire Lotus, but the more precious Earth Core Fire Lotus, should our transaction be calculated separately?"

Everything was as Zhu Chengwu expected. As expected, there was a "but" in the words of the second elder of the Cui family.

But the second elder of the Cui family was really bold. He was still worried that Zhu Chengwu would not fulfill his promise, and the next moment he began to think about how to increase the bargaining chips.

"Then I wonder how the Second Elder wants to calculate it separately?"

Zhu Chengwu looked at the second elder of the Cui family in front of him with amusement.

It's really the interests that blind people!

"My Lord, a year ago, I found you and negotiated with you on this condition: I would provide you with information about the Fire Lotus and facilitate the deal within the Cui family! And you would teach my grandson a unique magical skill that would be suitable for him!

right? "

The second elder of the Cui family reiterated the terms of the deal he and Zhu Chengwu had made a year ago.

It turned out that the source of Zhu Chengwu's information that the Cui family possessed the rare treasure "Fire Lotus" was actually the second elder of the Cui family.

This is the great hero who brought the "Fire Lotus" back to the Cui family from overseas.

No wonder Cui Zongji couldn’t figure out how the news that the Cui family possessed rare treasures from heaven and earth was exposed!
It’s hard to guard against house thieves!

"That's right!
I have even promised that if you, Second Elder, can personally bring the Fire Lotus to me, I can even skip the test and directly grant your grandson a set of magical skills, and provide him with ten years of training resources. "

Zhu Chengwu nodded, indicating that the transaction reiterated by the second elder of the Cui family was correct!

Zhu Chengwu even added some content of the transaction between the two people that the second elder of the Cui family did not finish.

"The Marquis' memory is indeed outstanding!"

The second elder of the Cui family showed a bitter smile.

In order to let his grandson skip the test, the second elder of the Cui family has thought of many ways over the past year.

But countless attempts and searches ultimately ended in vain!

The second elder of the Cui family never discovered where Cui Zongji stored the "Fire Lotus".

Even when facing the Second Elder, the great contributor who brought the "Fire Lotus" back to the Cui family from overseas, Cui Zongji did not leak a single word.

Finally, the second elder had to settle for the second best and secretly promote the marriage between Cui family and Fu'an Marquis Mansion. After all, as long as the "Fire Lotus" fell into Zhu Chengwu's hands, his grandson would still have the opportunity to pass on the magic skills.

It is better than exposing the news of "Fire Lotus" and getting nothing in the end.

Moreover, it is not impossible for an "accident" to happen during the "transportation" of the Fire Lotus. At that time, the Second Elder only needs to seize the opportunity and take the Fire Lotus into his own hands.

That does not necessarily mean handing the Fire Lotus over to Zhu Chengwu personally.

As for why the Second Elder had to hand over the Fire Lotus to Zhu Chengwu personally?

Obtaining the secret skills after passing a test and obtaining them directly are two completely different concepts.

Pass the test?

This standard is too subjective!

Unfortunately, Cui Shuyun appeared in the end!

All the plans of the second elder of the Cui family ended up being a waste of time for Cui Shuyun.

In the end, he himself was severely injured and fell into a coma by the masked man who came to snatch the fire lotus.

At that critical moment, the Second Elder threw the Fire Lotus to Cui Shuyun. Originally, he wanted to deal with those uninvited guests who tried to snatch the Fire Lotus, and then rely on his status as an elder to take the Fire Lotus from Cui Shuyun.

Unexpectedly, the masked man suddenly attacked the second elder in a violent way, which was contrary to his usual behavior and caused him to be seriously injured and fall into a coma.

It also caused all the plans of the Second Elder to fail!
When the Second Elder woke up again and learned that the Fire Lotus had been handed over to Zhu Chengwu by Cui Shuyun, no one knew how devastated and speechless the Second Elder was at that time...

But the fact was already established, and the Second Elder had no choice but to accept it!

Fortunately, the second elder of the Cui family recently heard a "good news", which made him "smile with joy"!
Cui's "Fire Lotus" is not actually a Fire Lotus, but the more precious Earth Core Fire Lotus.

When the Second Elder first heard the news, he did feel anger, pity, and regret.

But in the end the second elder figured it out!

Given Cui's current situation, even if he was the one who brought the "Earth-Core Fire Lotus" back to Cui, after he gave the "Earth-Core Fire Lotus" to the Cui clan in exchange for the position of the second elder, he no longer had any chance of getting the "Earth-Core Fire Lotus".

Now like this…

He might even be able to use this fact to ask Zhu Chengwu for compensation, thereby gaining more benefits and making his grandson's future martial arts journey smoother!
The elders love their children and plan carefully for them!
Even if the Second Elder knew that he was doing this, the chances of success were slim and there was a high chance of offending Zhu Chengwu.

But as long as there is a glimmer of hope, the second elder of the Cui family does not want to give up.

Just like the incident in Zhu Chengwu's previous life that caused a great uproar, in which three minors killed their classmates and buried their bodies. In two of the families, the parents actually took their children and ran away?

Don’t they know that in the peaceful and prosperous world of Zhu Chengwu’s previous life, where there were cameras everywhere, the probability of escaping was extremely small?

have no idea!

They are just hoping for a lucky break.

We all have the same feeling!

The second elder of the Cui family has the same mentality!
"But I remember that the Cui family's rare treasures were not handed over to me personally by the Second Elder, right?"

Zhu Chengwu seemed to be emphasizing that the Cui family's rare treasures were not handed over to him personally by the second elder.

In fact, it means that the second elder of the Cui family did not complete the supplementary conditions and did not make any great contribution in this matter. Don't be ungrateful!

“My Lord! Although I did not personally hand over the Earth Core Fire Lotus to you, I also fought desperately for it!
Whether facing the witch Wanwan, or fighting against the masked man and woman who came to rob the Earth's Heart Fire Lotus on the way back to the Marquis' Mansion.

I believe that I have made a great contribution in successfully delivering the Earth Core Fire Lotus to you!

Moreover, Lord Marquis, that is a high-level rare treasure of the world, the Earth’s Core Fire Lotus!
I think it is completely reasonable for you, Lord Hou, to remove the test for my grandson and directly teach him a magical book that can serve as a foundation, add a unique martial arts skill, and provide him with enough resources to practice to the level of a master! "

The second elder of the Cui family finally told Zhu Chengwu the purpose of his visit.

A magical book, a unique martial art, and enough resources to practice to the level of a grandmaster.

His requirements have increased a lot!
You know, according to the initial transaction terms between Zhu Chengwu and him.

Since he did not personally hand over the Cui family's rare treasures to Zhu Chengwu, Zhu Chengwu only gave his grandson one of the magical skills and unique martial arts after his grandson met the test.

Of course, the specific content of this test was also discussed in detail between Zhu Chengwu and the second elder of the Cui family!
This test is not difficult!

The most basic thing is to make sure that the grandson of the second elder of the Cui family is worthy of training, and is not the kind of person who is born to rebel and is a born evil person!
After all, the second elder of the Cui family would not agree to a test that was too difficult and uncertain, and he also had to consider the possibility that Zhu Chengwu deliberately did not let his grandson pass the test.

According to the unspoken rules of transactions among the world's major powers, the transaction value of an ordinary rare treasure is roughly equivalent to that of a Grandmaster. A magical book that can serve as the foundation of inner strength is roughly equivalent to 1/2 of the value of a Grandmaster. A unique martial arts skill is roughly equivalent to 3/1 of the value of a Grandmaster. The resources that are sufficient to allow a person to cultivate to the level of a Grandmaster vary greatly, depending on the actual conditions of the practitioner's talent and physique.

The reason why unique martial arts skills are only half as valuable as the magical skills manual in the unspoken rules of transactions among big forces is that.

This is because without the supporting internal power foundation, unique martial arts can only enable one to become a minor grandmaster at best, and there is still a gap between this and the upper limit of the magic skills manual - the true grandmaster.

Even if the actual value of the Earth Core Fire Lotus is about 10 times that of ordinary rare treasures in heaven and earth.

But the second elder of the Cui family raised the price to the equivalent of 2-3 ordinary rare treasures in the world.

That doesn't tally with the value he provided in this trade.

When Zhu Chengwu heard the extremely inflated conditions put forward by the second elder of the Cui family, visible displeasure flashed in his eyes.

He looked at the second elder of the Cui family quietly without saying a word.

The second elder of the Cui family looked at Zhu Chengwu's attitude, and he couldn't help but fall into panic in his heart!

After all, due to the gap in strength and power, the second elder of the Cui family has always been at a disadvantage in this transaction!

What's more, the Earth Core Fire Lotus is now in Zhu Chengwu's hands.

The Second Elder has now completely lost the initiative in the transaction.

Everything depends on Zhu Chengwu's decision!

But the second elder of the Cui family had no choice but to increase the stakes!
Although the Cui family is a wealthy family in the south of the Yangtze River, they do not rely on martial arts to establish their family, so there are no magical manuals or unique martial arts in the family.

Even if you want to change, there is no way!

After all, in a transaction, value equality is important, but what is more important is the willingness of both parties to the transaction!

The strong willingness of both parties to the transaction is enough to complete the transaction even if the value is unequal.

If one of the two parties to a transaction is unwilling to trade, even if the transaction value is equal and even if the other party increases the price, the transaction cannot be completed.

Since the Cui family did not have any magical skills or secret martial arts, and they had no way to trade for them, the second elder of the Cui family wanted his grandson to achieve great success in martial arts and have the opportunity to become a master. He could only rely on himself to trade with other forces.

The only thing he could offer that was enough to convince other forces to give up their magical skills and martial arts was the rare treasure he brought back from overseas.

Zhu Chengwu is the best choice chosen by the second elder of the Cui family after many rounds of screening.

Because Zhu Chengwu is the only leader of a powerful force near Jiangnan who is willing to pass on his unique martial arts to his subordinates and clearly announce the qualifications and conditions for redemption.

Moreover, Zhu Chengwu's identity is enough to ensure that Zhu Chengwu really has magical skills and unique martial arts in his hands, which is enough to infinitely increase the possibility of Zhu Chengwu keeping his promise.

"This condition has been passed!"

Zhu Chengwu looked at the second elder of the Cui family and said.

Zhu Chengwu's answer immediately made the second elder of the Cui family feel cold in his heart.

"Sure enough...Sure enough...Is it not possible?"

The second elder of the Cui family thought sadly in his heart.

　Update for the eighth milestone (1/2)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)