Chapter 37: Acquisition of the Stone Chessboard
“I hope Your Highness can mediate for me in this matter. Yuer, hurry and return this chessboard to its rightful owner,” Ma Ku said with a hint of flattery in his tone.
At this moment, if he didn’t flatter, he might not have a chance to do so in the future.
Seeing this, Ma Yu sighed helplessly in his heart. In his eyes, the actions of these bureaucrats were extremely detestable. He prided himself on being an elegant person amidst the frivolities of life, feeling that he was fundamentally different from these greedy officials vying for positions.
However, he never expected that one day he would be defeated by reality.
“Your Highness, this matter was my ignorance before. I hope Your Highness can forgive me, and please help me return this item to the gentleman.” Ma Yu appeared much more mature.
During this time, his father Ma Ku had been subtly advising him, and even his mother, the lady of the house, had been imprisoned for her usurious activities under the power of the Duke of Rui.
First, they were stripped of their titles, and then they were suppressed by Prince Zhuang, leading to a rapid decline in their fortunes. His sisters had all been taken back home by their family, leaving his once lively courtyard desolate.
At that time, he finally understood that these sisters were not fond of his talent but were attracted to his family status.
Initially, he resented his father’s views, but after witnessing the coldness of human relationships, he came to realize his true standing.
The departure of his sisters was far more effective than his father’s persuasion, which was why he was now here.
“Well said, well said. I have observed that Chen Hua has been rather active lately, seemingly trying to find evidence implicating your Duke of Rui in crimes against the country. He is truly stirring up trouble for no reason, and it seems he must have something to hide,” Wang Li abruptly changed the topic.
Ma Ku understood this remark very well; the other party was saying that he couldn’t even raise a dog properly and even bit back, conveniently filling the pit he dug for himself.
“Please, Your Highness, help us!” Ma Ku naturally took the opportunity to flatter him, thinking that this matter had been resolved, and he no longer needed to worry about follow-up issues.
For those of them formed as noble families supporting the dragon, the royal family generally would not be too harsh, as long as they didn’t go too far, everything was negotiable.
“Rest assured, I can write a memorial. If the matter is true, your Duke of Rui will be restored very soon,” Wang Li said.
Upon hearing this, Ma Ku felt delighted; this was excellent news.
“I’m sorry for the trouble, Your Highness. This is a small token of respect from me. Please accept it,” Ma Ku took out a list from his pocket and presented it to Wang Li.
However, Wang Li resolutely refused, saying, “There’s no need for such trifles; my residence lacks nothing. Your household has been going through tough times lately, so keep it to support your family. I only need to take the chessboard.”
He didn’t lack such small items; if he accepted a bribe and the Immortal Fuyao found out, it would be a huge loss.
Ma Ku couldn’t quite grasp Wang Li’s thoughts, but judging by his attitude, he was very firm.
Suspicion was just politeness, so after several rounds of back and forth, they finally confirmed that the other party really wouldn’t accept it.
After discussing a few other matters, they left Prince Zhuang’s residence, and at the moment Ma Ku stepped out, he felt a wave of relief wash over him.
This son could really get his father into trouble; they almost ended up in a pit together.
But thankfully, this matter was considered resolved.
“I didn’t think you would really bring this item and gift it to me; you have put in the effort,” Chen Xiyi remarked, looking at the stone chessboard in Wang Li’s hands, categorizing this gift as being from Wang Li rather than Ma Yu returning it.
There was a difference in experience here; if Ma Yu had given it to him, it could symbolize a negative experience under oppression.
However, if it was gifted by Wang Li, it would represent a positive experience intended to please him. After all, the focus of the Spiritualization of Fairy Personality lies in the experience through which Chen Xiyi acquired it; the other experiences are merely supplementary. It doesn’t matter what his past experiences were; the method by which Chen Xiyi obtained it must be proper.
Otherwise, he would have simply snatched it away long ago and wouldn’t need to go through all this trouble.
“Little Wang saw the immortal’s longing and used some means to request it from the Ma Family; now he presents it to the immortal, which can also be considered as returning the item to its rightful owner,” Wang Li swiftly followed Chen Xiyi’s words.
“I possess little, but this reciprocation is necessary.” Chen Xiyi took out ten portions of food from his pocket and handed them to Wang Li.
Wang Li naturally knew what this was all about; he had seen it before but had never tasted it.
These were nourishing foods used to assist in spiritual awakening, and upon seeing them, Wang Li’s eyes widened with excitement.
“Then I must thank the immortal.” Wang Li quickly accepted the ten portions of food.
In these recent days, he had been nurturing the wooden sword, but there had been no fruitful results; the wooden sword remained just a wooden sword, unable to unleash sword qi.
With these ten portions of food, he was confident he could nourish this wooden sword to create sharpness more quickly.
Of course, that was just his assumption.
【You have gifted Wang Li, the Prince, Braised Beef Noodle, Fried Pancake Roll, and Juicy Fish Balls. Favorability +5】
Chen Xiyi looked at this game log; Favorability +5, but the friendship level still hadn’t appeared, indicating that he still wasn’t considered a friend in Wang Li’s eyes.
Even the light dot was white.
This meant that Wang Li could only be seen as a tool, rather than a friend.
“No need for such politeness, consider it a reciprocation. How’s your Magic Sword cultivating the spirit now?” After putting away the stone chessboard, Chen Xiyi struck up a conversation with him again.
He indeed wanted to go for Spiritualization quickly, but he understood one thing: he was currently carrying the persona of an immortal. If he appeared too eager, it would lead to all kinds of speculation.
Moreover, as a useful tool, Chen Xiyi also needed to build rapport.
【You had a pleasant conversation with Wang Li, the Prince. Wang Li’s favorability toward you increases by +1】
Goodwill was steadily rising, but the friendship level didn’t increase, making Chen Xiyi feel increasingly peculiar. It seemed that Wang Li still had ulterior motives regarding him.
But why was his favorability increasing? This was quite contradictory.
Having ulterior motives but also a good impression, and then deepening that good impression through conversation? These were all Chen Xiyi’s speculations; at any rate, he understood that the mechanics of this home system game were rather vague.
“Thank you for your guidance, immortal; I have learned a lot.”
After Chen Xiyi’s rambling persuasion, encouragement, and grandiose promises, it was unclear what Wang Li had understood, but it seemed he had grasped something.
After all, the game log noted that their conversation atmosphere was harmonious, indicating that he had surely understood.
As for whether Chen Xiyi understood anything?
He understood nothing. All his words were pure fabrication; if he truly believed he had understood, he would need to seek medical help. After all, he had completely convinced himself, leading to the need to see a psychologist.
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