After Ning Fengzhi agreed to become Xiao Chenyu's bodyguard, Xiao Chenyu cursed inwardly, "Old fox."
He just didn't understand. They were all on the same side, so why were they being so scheming?
If things had been discussed openly, no one would have thought much of it and would have happily agreed.
But now the situation has become complicated.
Xiao Chenyu knew without guessing that Bone Douluo's words were also at Ning Fengzhi's behest.
That was the kind of occasion that Bone Douluo was suited to say, and Ning Fengzhi readily agreed, clearly indicating that he was up to something.
If the Spirit Hall readily agrees, Ning Fengzhi will inevitably suspect that he has secretly joined the Spirit Hall.
If the Spirit Hall were to refuse, Ning Fengzhi's plan would be to sow discord between him and the Spirit Hall. Later, after some discussion, he would find that the Spirit Hall would no longer side with him.
Regardless of the final outcome, Ning Fengzhi is the winner.
Xiao Chenyu understood Ning Fengzhi's probing, since only after ensuring that he and the Crown Prince had no connection with the Spirit Hall could the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School make further moves.
In fact, if he really had nothing to do with the Spirit Hall, he wouldn't have thought Ning Fengzhi was testing him. He would have handled it normally and wouldn't have paid any attention to Ning Fengzhi's probing. Everything would have fallen into place naturally.
But there was nothing he could do; after all, he really did have connections with the Spirit Hall.
In this situation, Xiao Chenyu definitely wouldn't follow the script Ning Fengzhi wanted.
"Your Excellencies and seniors, it was my idea that was inappropriate. Please do not take offense."
He stood up sincerely, bowed respectfully to everyone present, and added with a hint of reluctance at the end:
"But I have never seen a battle between titled individuals before, and I am itching to witness it firsthand."
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Even Ning Fengzhi felt a little embarrassed after hearing this.
As for Chrysanthemum Douluo, representing the Spirit Hall, although he showed some reluctance on his face, he still spoke very generously:
"Since Sect Leader Ning and Old Bones are both willing, then we naturally have no problem with it either. Of course, if you're willing to join the Spirit Hall, what's wrong with us truly serving as your guards this time?"
As he spoke, he gave Ning Fengzhi a provocative look.
Before Ning Fengzhi could reply, Xiao Chenyu chuckled awkwardly:
"I have long admired the Spirit Hall, but unfortunately I am a citizen of the Heaven Dou Empire, and I can only regretfully refuse Your Excellency. Even so, I would never dare to dishonor Your Excellencies. After this operation, I am willing to personally prepare a generous gift of 400,000 gold soul coins for Your Excellencies, and I hope Your Excellencies will not refuse."
After he finished speaking, everyone present stared wide-eyed, and some of them even became more breathless.
Each person would incur 400,000 gold coins. Even without considering Ning Fengzhi, there would be six Title Douluos going, totaling 2.4 million gold soul coins, which is a considerable expense.
Even the elders of the Spirit Hall only received this much salary in a year when Qian Xunji was alive.
In recent years, they have tightened their belts even more, living on only one-tenth of what they used to.
Fortunately, the Spirit Hall reimbursed all their food, drink, and other expenses, so they had no complaints.
Seeing that the others all acquiesced, Xiao Chenyu sat down as well, and gave Ning Fengzhi an apologetic yet helpless look.
He believed that Ning Fengzhi would understand what he meant without him having to say much.
As a mere young city lord, he naturally couldn't afford to offend so many powerful figures, and since this was a rare opportunity for him to come into contact with a titled official, he would definitely have the intention to win them over.
Even if he is loyal to the Heavenly Dou Empire, if he doesn't have any intention of winning over the title holders, Ning Fengzhi would think it's abnormal.
The Heavenly Struggle Nobles, those who know, know.
Using money to bribe people is a specialty of the Heavenly Dou nobles.
Xiao Chenyu wasn't worried that Ning Fengzhi would overthink things. His move to win him over was witnessed by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, so it was understandable that the elders of the Spirit Hall would show him extra care in the future.
As for the money, Xiao Chenyu was even less worried.
It's just that the payment has been transferred. They were going to give 2 million to the Spirit Hall anyway, so it doesn't matter who they give it to. They can't renege on their own debt anyway.
But he will definitely only give one payment. If Bibi Dong has the nerve to ask those people for more, that's her business and the elders of the Spirit Hall's affairs, and it has nothing to do with him.
The atmosphere at the table improved considerably after the offer of 400,000 yuan per person for protection was made.
The elders of the Spirit Hall looked at Xiao Chenyu with much more fervor than before. No one would turn down money, even a Title Douluo needs to spend money.
Especially Ling Yuan Douluo, whose burning gaze made Xiao Chenyu dare not meet his eyes, fearing that the other party wanted to devour him.
With his small arms and legs, he couldn't possibly outmaneuver this powerful figure.
Xiao Chenyu could understand the attitude of the elders of the Spirit Hall.
The flower garden in Yue Guan requires a large amount of money to maintain. Every year, Ghost Douluo sends Chrysanthemum Douluo flowers at a cost of astronomical sums. Ghost Leopard and Demon Bear Douluo, on the other hand, have families behind them, so the more money the better.
Although Lingyuan Douluo is all alone, loving beauty is a woman's nature. She still has the appearance and figure of a beautiful young woman, which is related to her strength, but also inseparable from the care she receives from money.
Not to mention that the Spirit Hall has been struggling financially for the past few years, and her jewelry hasn't been updated for some time. Instead, her need for money has become even more urgent.
Given their need for money, and the fact that he was the one who proposed this action, it's only natural that they would feel close to him.
The banquet lasted until very late, and several elders of the Spirit Hall stayed at the Snow Dust Hotel.
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