Chapter 474: Chapter 5: Kill Zhu Gui (Part 2)
"How did you manage to enter?"
Even a Martial Sect could not help but be curious about this, as the cultivation technique was of considerable grade.
It was even superior to most of the Imperial Family’s inheritances.
Unfortunately, it was difficult to get started.
"As a child, I accidentally consumed a Thunder Fruit, making my physique different from ordinary people, which fits the requirements of the Elemental Thunder Skill," Fang Zheng replied.
"I see," King Kang understood:
"Opportunities like this are rare and not something others can envy."
"Speak up!"
"What brings you here this time?"
"Reporting to Your Highness," Fang Zheng bowed:
"I started my career in commerce, not skilled in fighting with others. I have skills but do not know how to use them, and they would be of no use on the battlefield, so I seek financial assistance to suppress bandits."
"An army marches on its stomach," King Kang was not surprised and nodded:
"The turmoil in Zhaonan Prefecture will not be quelled shortly, and relying on the silver allocated by the Imperial Court is indeed insufficient."
"How much can you contribute?"
"I am willing to contribute ten thousand silver taels," Fang Zheng said:
"I only hope to eradicate the bandit menace and restore peace to the region."
"Your intention is commendable," King Kang spoke with praise, but shook his head and refused:
"The silver taels are too little."
?
Is ten thousand taels still too little?
"Your Highness," Fang Zheng looked up, gritting his teeth, with a pained expression said:
"I am willing to contribute twenty thousand taels!"
"Fifty thousand taels," King Kang extended his five fingers, speaking indifferently:
"Square Porcelain sells at high prices, and Yunzhi is a hot commodity in the Capital City. You certainly have plenty of gold and silver."
"Less than fifty thousand silver taels, and you can go to the front lines to suppress bandits!"
Damn!
Isn’t this extortion?
Fang Zheng’s facial muscles twitched, suppressing the impulse in his heart, taking a deep breath, he spoke slowly:
"Your Highness may not know, though Square Porcelain is expensive, its cost of production is also high, and much capital is en route."
"The profit is not as high as imagined."
"I understand," King Kang’s expression unchanged:
"I, too, have lived for two hundred years and conducted business, so I know very well that you can come up with fifty thousand silver taels."
"How about this..."
Knowing that fifty thousand taels were indeed too much, possibly draining Fang Zheng’s accumulation over the years.
After thinking for a while, he spoke slowly:
"What do you want? If I can give it to you, I will."
Fang Zheng’s eyes flickered.
After a pause,
he bowed and asked:
"Your Highness, I am progressing slowly in practicing the Elemental Thunder Skill. May I ask if there is a way to break through the bottleneck?"
He had been stuck at the Eighth Heaven for a long time, knowing his cultivation base had reached its limit, but was unable to break through no matter what he tried.
Having tried many methods, none worked.
If the other party could provide direction, the fifty thousand silver taels would not be spent in vain.
"Hmm..."
King Kang sat up straight, pondering.
The Elemental Thunder Skill was inherited from ancient times, and since the collapse of Celestial Thunder Mountain, the inheritance had been severed, and very few had practiced it since.
There were no experiences from predecessors to refer to.
Fang Zheng indeed posed a difficult question to him.
"Elemental Thunder Skill!"
"Elemental!"
"Thunder Skill!"
King Kang spoke:
"If you want to break through the barrier, you might have to focus on the words ’Thunder Sound.’"
"In addition, I have two Thunder Source Stones here, containing Thunder True Power, which might help you forcefully break through."
Saying this, he flipped his hand, and two stones filled with thunder light appeared in his palm, which he tossed over.
Storage Pouch?
Thunder Source Stone!
At the instant the Thunder Source Stone appeared, True Qi within Fang Zheng’s body sensed its presence and became unprecedentedly active.
Even the bottleneck seemed to loosen.
Fang Zheng quickly reached out to catch them, bowing in gratitude:
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
"No need to thank me, this is what you exchanged for with fifty thousand silver taels," King Kang spoke:
"Besides, I am also curious about how you will attain the Martial Sect realm with the Elemental Thunder Skill. I hope you can make a breakthrough."
Saying this,
he gently shook his head.
Clearly, he did not think highly of Fang Zheng.
Martial Sect!
Master!
Even for the Royal Nobility, and talented Commandery Princess, the chances are slim, not to mention a person from the wild without guidance.
......
Immortal Pavilion.
A recently built restaurant in Zhaonan Prefecture over the past two years, it is also the location for the annual Courtesan Election Contest.
Today,
is the preliminary selection day for the courtesan.
Fang Zheng followed behind Xiao Cui, arriving at the brightly lit third floor.
The courtesan selection was undoubtedly a big event in the Prefecture City recently, even attracting Commandery Princesses and several young masters from the Capital City to join the excitement.
"Good!"
"Worth a reward!"
"Young Master Song gifted Miss Yuzhu a Hundred String, earning a beauty’s smile!"
"Haha..."
Laughter echoed, lively and bustling.
Fang Zheng only took a glance and then withdrew his gaze.
Inside were Commandery Princesses and young masters from the Capital City. They were of noble status and not the same kind of people as him.
Without enough strength and being of low status, forcibly blending into too high a circle was merely asking for humiliation.
He had self-awareness.
"Swish..."
The bead curtain lifted, and a fragrant breeze wafted in.
Princess Qingyuan sat on a soft couch. Having drunk wine, her charming face was slightly red. She turned lazily and spoke:
"Looking for me for something?"
"Commandery Princess," Fang Zheng bowed:
"I, Fang, will be returning to the county tomorrow. I am thankful to the Commandery Princess for your care these past few days, and have come to bid farewell."
"Hmm." Li Yingxuan nodded lightly:
"Return then..."
"Hmm?"
Halfway through speaking, she chuckled and shook her head:
"I almost forgot. No wonder you remembered to find me. I suppose bidding farewell is fake, inquiring for news is true."
"I was foolish to consider you a friend."
Fang Zheng lowered his head, remaining silent.
He did not think she considered him a friend.
Though they discussed music together, and Princess Qingyuan was very courteous, the more it was so, the more distant it felt.
That innate nobility could not be faked at all.
Moreover...
Being a friend to the Commandery Princess was not so easy!
"I searched and indeed found a Sound Killing Skill called Wind and Thunder Roar," Li Yingxuan lightly tapped the armrest, speaking:
"Your information is well-informed. This skill would be hard to find without me searching through the Luofu Immortal Sect’s records."
