Chapter 37: Acquiring the Stone Chessboard

“Your Highness, please mediate for your humble servant in this matter. Yu, return the chessboard to its rightful owner.” Ma Ku said with a hint of flattery in his expression.

Failing to flatter now could mean never getting the chance to flatter again in the future.

Seeing this, Ma Yu sighed helplessly inside. In his eyes, these bureaucratic maneuvers were utterly detestable. He prided himself on being a man of refined tastes in the arts and pleasures, fundamentally different from these power-hungry vermin obsessed with official positions.

He never imagined the day would come when reality would defeat him.

“Your Highness, it was my folly before for failing to grasp the bigger picture. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness. May I trouble Your Highness to return this item to the Master?” Ma Yu appeared much more mature now.

Over the past days, his father, Ma Ku, had openly and implicitly counseled him. Even his mother, the lady of Duke Rui’s Mansion, who had exploited others through loans backed by the Duke’s influence, had been detained.

First stripped of office and titles, then persecuted by Prince Zhuang, their family fell swiftly into disarray. Even his sisters were all taken back by their own families, turning his once lively courtyard deathly quiet.

Only then did he realize: those ‘sisters’ weren’t captivated by his talent; they coveted his family’s status.

Initially, he resisted his father’s warnings. But after witnessing the fickleness of human warmth, he finally understood his true place.

The departure of his ‘sisters’ proved far more effective persuasion than Ma Ku’s words. And so he was here.

“Of course, of course. This Prince observed Chen Hua recently stirring everywhere, seemingly seeking evidence of your Duke Rui’s Mansion plotting treason. Utterly baseless troublemaking! Someone like that surely harbors guilt. I daresay he might be the one bringing harm.” Prince Zhuang abruptly shifted the topic.

Ma Ku instantly grasped the implication: the Prince was saying he couldn’t even keep a loyal dog – it had bitten back – and so that dog was perfect to blame for this mess.

“May Your Highness uphold justice for us!” Ma Ku promptly accepted the lifeline, feeling relieved. This matter was settled; no need to worry about further repercussions.

For noble families like theirs, descendants of the founding Emperor’s close ministers, the imperial family usually didn’t impose overly harsh demands. As long as they didn’t go too far, everything was negotiable.

“Set your mind at ease. This Prince will immediately draft a memorial to the throne. Should the findings confirm your innocence, your Duke Rui’s Mansion will be restored shortly.” Prince Zhuang declared.

Hearing this, joy surged through Ma Ku. This was excellent news!

“This trouble for Your Highness is appreciated. These are a small token of this humble servant’s deepest respect. Please accept them.” Ma Ku retrieved a list from his robe and presented it to Prince Zhuang.

Prince Zhuang, however, refused with stern righteousness. “Spare these trifles. This Prince’s estate lacks nothing. With your family facing hardship recently, keep them to subsidize your household expenses. I shall accept the chessboard.”

He truly didn’t need such measly offerings. Accepting bribes now, especially with the potentially watching, all-powerful Immortal Fuyao waiting in the wings? That would be a terrible loss.

Ma Ku couldn’t quite grasp Prince Zhuang’s true thoughts, yet his resolute attitude was clear. Though suspecting he might just be polite, after repeatedly pushing the offer back several times, Ma Ku finally confirmed the Prince truly wouldn’t accept.

Afterwards, they chatted briefly about minor matters before Ma Ku and his son took their leave from Prince Zhuang’s Mansion. The moment they stepped outside, Ma Ku felt an immense burden lift.

His son, causing trouble, had nearly plunged the entire family into ruin.

But fortunately, it was now resolved.

…

“You truly managed to find this and gift it to me. You went to great effort.” Chen Xiyi looked at the Stone Chessboard in Wang Li’s hand, firmly attributing its acquisition to being a gift from Wang Li – not merely returned by Ma Yu.

There was a crucial distinction in experience. If Ma Yu gave it, it might stem from negative coercion.

But if it was presented by Wang Li? Then it stemmed from positive flattery. After all, the nature of the Spirit Communication enchantment focused heavily on Chen Xiyi’s personal experience acquiring the item. Previous experiences for the item were secondary; what mattered was how Chen Xiyi obtained it – it must seem legitimate.

Otherwise, why not just snatch it directly? Why go through all this trouble?

“Your servant noticed the Great Immortal longing for this item and thus employed some measures to request it from the Ma family. Presenting it to you now is tantamount to returning it to its owner.” Wang Li’s eyes gleamed shrewdly as he smoothly followed Chen Xiyi’s lead.

“Though I possess little, a return gift is necessary.” Chen Xiyi pulled ten portions of food from his bosom and handed them to Wang Li.

Wang Li naturally knew what they were; he’d seen them before, but had never tasted them.

Food supplements to aid in Attaining the Dao! Seeing them, Wang Li’s eyes practically glued to the offerings.

“This humble servant deeply thanks the Great Immortal!” Wang Li swiftly accepted the ten portions.

Lately, he had also been Nurturing the Spirit within his Wooden Sword, yet without any results. The sword remained a mere wooden blade, incapable of unleashing Sword Qi.

With these ten portions, he was confident he could accelerate the process, helping his Wooden Sword develop its keen edge.

Of course, this was merely his hope.

[You gifted Braised Beef Noodles, Jianbing Guozis, Bursting Juicy Fishballs… to Prince Wang Li. Favorability +5]

Chen Xiyi saw the Game Log message. Favorability +5, yet no Favorability Level appeared. This meant he still wasn’t considered a friend in Wang Li’s heart.

Wang Li’s affinity light remained stubbornly white.

Meaning, Wang Li was still just a toolman, not a friend.

“You flatter me. Consider it a return gift. How fares the spirit within your Magic Sword?” Chen Xiyi stored the Stone Chessboard away smoothly and steered the conversation.

He was eager to perform the Spirit Communication enchantment immediately. But he knew his persona as a Great Immortal was crucial. Appearing too eager would invite wild speculation.

Besides, if he wanted a useful toolman, he needed to cultivate the relationship.

[You had a pleasant conversation with Prince Wang Li. The atmosphere was harmonious. Prince Wang Li’s Favorability towards you +1]

[You with…]

Favorability kept ticking upwards. Yet the friend designation remained elusive. This puzzled Chen Xiyi more. It seemed Wang Li’s intentions towards him were still… calculated.

But then why did Favorability keep rising?

This was deeply contradictory.

Harboring ulterior motives, yet having a good impression, which kept deepening through pleasant chats?

These were Chen Xiyi’s conjectures. Regarding the Home Game, he’d come to accept that it was inherently vague in its expressions.

“Thank you for your tutelage, Great Immortal. This humble servant has gained profound insight.”

After Chen Xiyi’s rambling mix of nonsense, motivational platitudes, and outlandish promises, who knows what Wang Li actually understood? But he clearly felt enlightened.

After all, the Game Log explicitly said they’d had a ‘harmonious conversation.’ That certainly implied he understood.

Did Chen Xiyi understand?

Not even a little. His whole spiel was pure fabrication. If he actually believed it or understood it himself, he’d need to see a doctor. Fooling himself too deeply would require a psychologist.