God-Level All-rounder Expert

Chapter 723: Chapter 793: Now This Is Interesting

The young guard strode over first and saluted Jian Rong, "Marshal!"

Jian Rong waved his hand with a smile, "What Marshal, I’m not a Marshal anymore, just call me Elder Jian."

The young guard acknowledged, and Jian Rong turned to the girl nicknamed ’little chili pepper’ and beckoned, "Huimin, come here and let me have a good look at you. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you, you’ve become prettier."

The girl called Huimin walked up to Jian Rong, pouted slightly, and said with a cute, coquettish demeanor, "Elder Jian."

Jian Rong laughed heartily. Zhao Xueying continued to speak softly to Fang Yi at his side, telling him the young guard’s name was Luo Feng, and the ’little chili pepper’ was General Zhu’s granddaughter, named Zhu Huimin.

Fang Yi nodded, taking note, and then Luo Feng led them into the building.

The building here was not like a residential apartment block but rather a standalone structure. They first entered the living room, where a middle-aged man came over quickly to greet Jian Rong and Zhao Xueying, and Fang Yi received a greeting as well.

This man was named Secretary Liu, assistant secretary to General Zhu.

After greeting them, Secretary Liu quickly went to make tea for the three guests, while Zhu Huimin went through the back door to the backyard to summon her grandfather.

Secretary Liu invited the three of them to sit down, focusing mainly on chatting with Jian Rong. Although Jian Rong had retired from his position as Marshal, his reputation preceded him, and being an acquaintance of the General, it was natural for Secretary Liu to be an attentive host.

"Elder Jian, please wait a moment. The General is taking a walk in the backyard and should come here shortly," Secretary Liu said with a smile.

"Sure, no rush," said Jian Rong.

Suddenly, something seemed to strike Secretary Liu as he slapped his thigh, "Oh dear, look at my memory. Elder Jian, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go out and buy a bottle of good wine for the General."

This caught Jian Rong’s curiosity, "Good wine?"

Logically, with the General’s status, he should have access to all sorts of fine wines. Why would he need to go out and buy some?

Secretary Liu explained with a smile, "Elder Jian might not be aware, but ever since the General came back from Moon City, for some reason he’s taken a liking to strong spirits, and he even enjoys some peanuts and broad beans with his drink. Please excuse me, I’ll be right back."

With that, Secretary Liu hurried out.

Jian Rong chuckled, "The General has quite the peculiar taste. He used to enjoy Fenjiu, but now he prefers strong spirits. Quite amusing." noveldrama

Sitting aside, Fang Yi’s expression grew increasingly odd, as he faintly felt he might have met this General before.

Craving a smoke, Fang Yi took out a cigarette and respectfully offered one to Jian Rong.

Not long after, an elderly man was escorted through the back door of the living room by Zhu Huimin.

Jian Rong and Zhao Xueying immediately stood up, with Jian Rong laughing, "General."

"Elder Jian," the old man responded with a smile.

"General Zhu," Zhao Xueying greeted respectfully.

"Isn’t this Elder Jian’s good daughter-in-law? Haha, Xueying, what brings you to my place today? Is your father doing well?" the old man asked.

Zhao Xueying’s father was a bigshot in the Zhao Family.

Finally, General Zhu turned his gaze towards Fang Yi. When the old man laid eyes on Fang Yi, his expression revealed a strange glimmer, and his face suddenly took on an odd look. Not just him, even Fang Yi wore a peculiar expression, dangling the cigarette in his mouth, somewhat at a loss for words.

Indeed, it was this old gentleman!

The atmosphere turned a bit strange, and though Jian Rong and the others certainly noticed, Zhu Huimin, who was supporting her grandfather, couldn’t resist saying, "Grandfather, if you find this scoundrel displeasing to the eye, I can have Luo Feng throw him out!"

Indeed, she lived up to the name "little chili pepper." With that fiery temper, Fang Yi finally got a taste of it.

Zhu Youde then suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, walking towards Fang Yi, "Haha, you little rascal... it’s really you... haha..."

Jian Rong and the others were left stunned on the spot.

Fang Yi couldn’t help but laugh, "Elder, I didn’t expect that you’d turn out to be a Marshal."

Zhu Youde responded, "I’m even more surprised. The accomplished young man Elder Jian spoke of turned out to be you."

Fang Yi felt somewhat embarrassed; it seemed Jian Rong had said a lot of good things about him, otherwise Zhu Youde wouldn’t have agreed to meet him.

Actually, when Fang Yi had first encountered Zhu Youde at Yunfei Mansion in Moon City, he sensed that Zhu Youde was no ordinary figure. He thought Zhu Youde might be a retired national elder, but he never imagined Zhu Youde would be one of Xuan Cang’s few Marshals. It really was destiny.

Jian Rong came over, his face full of surprise, "Marshal, you two..." He looked at Fang Yi, "know each other?"

Zhu Youde laughed heartily, "Of course we know each other. The reason why I’ve grown fond of strong liquor is all thanks to this young man."

Jian Rong was astonished, Zhao Xueying was touched, and little chili pepper Zhu Huimin puckered her lips in a display of discontent.

A table of light dishes was ready. As the host, Zhu Youde sat in the seat of honor, with Jian Rong beside him, and Fang Yi on the other side, which was at Zhu Youde’s request. He wanted Fang Yi to join him in a few more drinks.

Little chili pepper Zhu Huimin was sitting next to Zhao Xueying, pouting continuously, not touching her food. She just poked at it with the chopsticks in her hand, picking and choosing, and occasionally glancing in Zhu Youde’s direction. When she saw the elder and Fang Yi drinking merrily, it made her even more upset.

"I can’t just give up like this; I must help them regain face!" Zhu Huimin thought to herself, narrowing her eyes at the smiling man, her grip tightening on her chopsticks.

Zhu Youde set down his wine cup, laughing loudly, "This is invigorating! This high-proof alcohol is really something!"

Jian Rong laughed, "It indeed is invigorating, but Marshal, this alcohol is strong; it’s better to drink less."

"With no outsiders here, just call me Old Zhu," Zhu Youde told him with a glare. "Today I’m happy, so I should drink a bit more. Right, young man?"

Fang Yi smiled and said, "Please don’t, Elder, you can’t get drunk. I came to you today because I need your help with something."

Zhu Youde’s eyes narrowed slightly, "You don’t seem like the type who’d ask for favors."

In fact, before dinner, Zhu Youde had heard from Jian Rong that Fang Yi was a descendant of the Fang Family. He had even heard Fang Yi call himself the "bastard of the Fang Family" and had a very good impression of him, so he didn’t expect Fang Yi would come to ask him for a favor.

Fang Yi said, "Everyone has times when they need to ask for help. I just hope you won’t turn me down."

Smiling, Zhu Youde was about to speak when Zhu Huimin seized the opportunity and quickly said, "Aren’t you awesome? And now you’re asking someone for a favor?"

The atmosphere at the dining table chilled. Fang Yi smiled and looked at Zhu Huimin, "Miss Zhu seems to know me well?" He always felt that this girl had some dislike for him.

Zhu Huimin replied, "Just rumors. I heard you once beat Song He and others in the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

Zhu Youde, Jian Rong, and Zhao Xueying all looked at Fang Yi in surprise; this was news to them.

"Now this is interesting, tell me more about it, Huimin," said Zhu Youde with curiosity.

Zhu Huimin nodded and began to recount how Fang Yi had soundly defeated Song He, Kong Mubai, Zhao Liyu, and Jian Song. She added some exaggerations, portraying Fang Yi in a light that infuriated both mortals and deities.

However, after hearing her story, the look Zhu Youde gave Fang Yi was filled with utmost admiration.

(Hmm, I’m going for a mock test this afternoon, and tomorrow I have my third subject exam. Wish me luck, everyone. If I pass, I’ll hand out red envelopes in the group!)