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Ning Zhu licked his lips, his breathing quickened slightly, and he looked up at Zhu Xuanji, a hint of stubbornness in his eyes: “Lord Zhu, you are from the Nan Dou royal family, and I am from a branch of the Ning family.”

“My mother passed away when I was very young. My father left even earlier, I never even saw him once.”

“Even though I have a paternal uncle, I am not close to him and did not receive much care from him.”

“From childhood to adulthood, my life has been difficult.”

“You claim to ‘Discern the Hidden, Pacify the Populace’, but you only observe from the sidelines. You have not experienced it yourself, you don’t know that often, what I consider is not the righteous path or deviant path, but where I can get my next meal.”

“Those at the bottom can only think of what is in front of them first.”

“Many times, it’s not a matter of their choice, but that they have no choice at all!”

“Righteous path, deviant path? Heh heh, in their eyes, perhaps there has only ever been one path. That is the path to survival!”

Ning Zhu did not respond directly, but it was tantamount to answering Zhu Xuanji’s words.

He lacked crucial information, so it was impossible for him to ask how Zhu Xuanji came to suspect him.

This would be tantamount to a confession!

He also did not probe or remain silent, as this could provoke Zhu Xuanji’s displeasure and anger.

Ning Zhu chose a passive defense, adapting to the situation.

He deliberately spoke of his hardships to leverage Zhu Xuanji’s temperament.

At the Fire Persimmon Festival, Zhu Xuanji’s appearance caught Ning Zhu off guard, forcing him to enter the situation and take a risky gamble, leading to Yuan Dasheng’s death.

Afterwards, Ning Zhu reflected on himself, realizing he had made a big mistake – he lacked too much information about Zhu Xuanji.

From then on, he focused all his efforts on collecting relevant information.

Once bitten, twice shy.

He would not make the same mistake again. Because making it again could be the difference between life and death.

There is a saying that goes well – the one who knows you best is often your enemy!

Zhu Xuanji was expressionless, but inwardly, he sighed deeply.

He was moved!

Only a wrongly given name exists, not a wrongly given title.

His title, “Discern the Hidden, Pacify the Populace,” reflected his deep-seated compassion for the lower strata and the weak.

Ning Zhu’s words struck a soft spot in his heart.

Of course, he could hear that in addition to mentioning hardship and being forced into the situation, Ning Zhu was also excusing himself, probing Zhu Xuanji, and seeking understanding.

Zhu Xuanji felt a little relieved.

At least Ning Zhu was speaking the truth and trying to gain Zhu Xuanji’s understanding, rather than simply denying or refuting.

How to put it?

Talking to a smart person is effortless!

And Ning Zhu’s apparent understanding of the situation made Zhu Xuanji believe even more that the young man before him could still be saved, that he could be drawn in and won over.

Zhu Xuanji sighed softly: “Paths are walked by people!”

“Some paths are easy but wrong. Some paths are difficult but the correct path.”

“Just like Li Leifeng, his latter half of life was difficult and poor, but it was precisely because of this that he was so respected.”

“In fact, everyone has a scale that constantly measures others and things. Those who carry heavy burdens and gather firewood to keep others warm are the ones who emit light.”

“You have also been illuminated by this light! Li Leifeng has long since shown you the way.”

Ning Zhu fell silent.

His strategy of showing weakness and seeking empathy had worked.

From Zhu Xuanji’s tone, expression, and words, he did not hear any hint of dislike or aversion.

But the problem still remained.

Ning Zhu did not know what clues Zhu Xuanji had grasped to be so suspicious of him and try to win him over.

This was crucial. Without knowing this, Ning Zhu was almost exclusively on the defensive in this clash of wits.

Unable to take the offensive!

“This won’t do.”

“Eventually, he will corner me, leaving me with no room to maneuver.”

“Rather than that, it’s better to take some risks now.”

Ning Zhu had already foreseen the outcome of his defeat, and he secretly gritted his teeth, deciding to take a gamble.

He spoke: “Li Leifeng is a model of the righteous path. Every time I think of him, I feel warmth.”

“He makes me feel that this world is worth it.”

“However, how many Li Leifengs are there in this world?”

“How many people can be illuminated by his light?”

“Yes, I was taken care of. I am fortunate, but at the same time unfortunate.”

“Precisely because I felt warmth, I understood the pain of cold even more.”

After a pause, Ning Zhu looked at Zhu Xuanji, his eyes bright.

“Lord Zhu, people are different.”

“In my opinion, Li Leifeng and you are both high and mighty, figures on the stage. Whether genuine feeling or a facade, it is all brilliant and glamorous.”

“And I am ultimately below the stage.”

“Do you know what it feels like to sneakily eat the leftover pastries from guests?”

“You have to steel yourself, endure gazes of contempt and disgust. You have to reach out and pick through the garbage among the scattered cups and plates.”

“You will feel ashamed. This feeling is told to you by outsiders, and it is also from deep within your heart, brought about by succumbing to your craving for food.”

“I am from the bottom, I have been since I was a child.”

“Although my surname is Ning, I have never felt that I am noble.”

“I am卑鄙.”

“I am a thief!”

“I am someone who searches for food in garbage.”

“I am from the bottom. Heh heh, maybe saying this is a bit dramatic.”

“But I truly feel this way!”

“You see, even after I grew up, I still got involved in the black market business. I pick things to eat from places that the righteous path looks down upon.”

“I am not afraid of being dirty, I am only afraid of not being full.”

Ning Zhu exhaled a murky breath, smiling sadly.

“I know there are people like Li Leifeng in this world. I admire him and am grateful from the bottom of my heart.”

“And Lord Zhu, you.”

“I admire you.”

“This is the truth!”

“You are royalty, a divine constable, but you have your principles and always adhere to them.”

“You are a gentleman, you are worthy of your reputation.”

“However, I know deeply: people are different from each other, and it has been this way since birth. The paths of people are also different.”

“No one can truly help me. People are lonely, people cannot completely understand others.”

“Most of the time, I can only rely on myself.”

“The path I walk is my own choice!”

Zhu Xuanji fell silent.

His heart felt heavy.

Ning Zhu’s words caused ripples in his heart.

He knew many things about Ning Zhu and therefore understood him. Although Ning Zhu carried the identity of the Ning family, he did not benefit much from it during his childhood.

Zhu Xuanji felt pained!

He felt as if he was seeing a drowning person, shouting and reaching out a hand, wanting to save them.

But this drowning person preferred to sink.

Thus, Zhu Xuanji also felt powerless, sorrowful, indignant, and resentful of his lack of effort!

A young person like you, with such talent and aptitude, should not be so willing to degenerate!

So, Zhu Xuanji’s gaze turned cold, and he deliberately changed the subject: “Ning Zhu, you have seen the ‘Fang Qingxi Injustice’ play, haven’t you?”

Ning Zhu: “Many times.”

Zhu Xuanji: “You are right. Empathy between people is often just watching from the sidelines.”

“Often at this time, we need to take action ourselves to try to feel.”

“Li Leifeng has performed ‘Fang Qingxi Injustice’ for you many times. You always stand below the stage and watch, you always think that you are still that little thief who used to sneakily eat below the stage.”

“You are not anymore!”

“As of today, you are different.”

“You are a person on the stage. Do you know that Li Leifeng also expected you to stand on the stage?”

“He once thought that starting from the age of six, you would begin to show your talent and gradually take the stage.”

Ning Zhu’s heart stirred slightly.

Zhu Xuanji continued: “Li Leifeng is gone, he did not see you show your talent during his lifetime, this was one of his regrets.”

“Go and make up for this regret.”

“Go and perform a ‘Fang Qingxi Injustice’ play.”

“Try it. Stand in Li Leifeng’s shoes, perform a puppet show, and experience the situation and feelings he was in.”

Ning Zhu hesitated: “This…”

Zhu Xuanji’s eyes were deep: “Don’t tell me your puppetry skills are not good.”

Ning Zhu shook his head: “Of course not…”

Zhu Xuanji showed his dominance and interrupted: “You may not know, he gave you many opportunities.”

“Now, I am also giving you an opportunity.”

“You should also give yourself an opportunity.”

“Go on stage.”

“Although Li Leifeng has passed away, I believe he still has light for you, to illuminate your way towards the righteous path!”

Given the situation, Ning Zhu had already guessed that the weakness likely came from Li Leifeng.

But his confrontation with Zhu Xuanji had reached this point, he was already under siege, with no way to refuse, only to obey.

Upon receiving Zhu Xuanji’s spiritual message, Zhu Hou immediately made arrangements.

The presiding elder took the stage and informed everyone that although the donation had ended, a young genius was willing to take the stage and perform a puppet show for entertainment.

And so, Ning Zhu walked onto the stage.

He bowed to the cultivators below and in the building: “Fellow seniors, please allow me to present a small token of my sincerity.”

“When I was young, my family was poor and life was difficult. I was fortunate to receive the kindness of Lord Li Leifeng, who took care of me many times.”

“That esteemed elder never asked for anything in return, only wished to help others. His magnanimity and character are admirable.”

“I have seen the elder’s puppet shows countless times, they are extremely brilliant. Now, I am also fortunate to have learned some of his skills. Today, I will perform this puppet show to express my remembrance of Lord Li Leifeng, and also to celebrate Lord Zhu’s assumption of his post.”

Applause and cheers erupted in a chorus.

The cultivators were surprised and delighted, and the atmosphere in the building was lively.

Before the Golden Core melee, Ning Zhu’s reputation was only known within a small circle of the four major forces. The Ning family was well aware of him, after all, he had brought down Ning Xiaoren.

After the Golden Core melee, Ning Zhu became widely known due to rumors and other factors.

This time, Zhu Xuanji brought him to attend this ceremony, leaving a deep impression on everyone. Almost everyone speculated that Ning Zhu had caught Zhu Xuanji’s eye and climbed onto a powerful backer.

Because of Zhu Xuanji, Ning Zhu was given more importance.

Now, this rising star of the righteous path personally took the stage to perform a puppet show, and everyone was very interested.

Regardless of the performance, many people had already formed the idea of making additional donations after the show. After all, supporting Ning Zhu was supporting Zhu Xuanji!

People of the righteous path were quite pragmatic.