Reborn as Murong Fu: This Time I'm the Protagonist

Chapter 507 Gift
Li Canghai suddenly stood up: "Very well, since you have such ambition, I suppose I haven't misjudged you. But I am a little curious, what exactly has made our great sage change his mind and stop being so compassionate towards humanity?"

Murong Fu said, "I think it might be Master Wuyazi's ingenious chess game. The principles of the world are generally the same. When things can't be resolved, perhaps committing suicide and then starting over is not the best solution. I think Master Wuyazi created this chess game to wait for such a destined person to appear."

Li Canghai said, "Alright, since that's the case, then you should try to get the post of Prefect of Jiangning. After Emperor Liezu found the treasure left by Emperor Liang Yuan, he hid it under Jiming Temple in Jinling. You need to select a group of absolutely trustworthy people and then secretly retrieve the treasure."

Murong Fu was taken aback: the so-called treasure was right under his nose.

As Li Canghai spoke, he took out a yellowed parchment scroll and said, "This parchment scroll records the method to open the treasure's location and how to avoid traps and hidden weapons. It's a pity that I only have half of it; the other half was lost in an accident years ago, so..."

Murong Fu looked at the somewhat familiar parchment scroll in front of him, took out another parchment scroll from his sleeve, and carefully pieced it together with Li Canghai's scroll. The two scrolls fit together perfectly and became one seamless piece.

Li Canghai was stunned, and so was Murong Fu. When their eyes met, a faint awkwardness filled the air between them.

How did you come to have the other part of this picture?

Murong Fu said, "This was given to me by Duan Yanqing, the leader of the Four Evils in the past, who was notorious for his evil deeds. I healed his leg and made him let go of his obsession. He gave me this map, and as for himself, he should be a monk at Tianlong Temple now. As for how he got this map, don't ask me, I don't know either."

After a long silence, Li Canghai slowly spoke, "It is fate, truly fate..."

……

Several days later, at the Murong family's villa in Bianjing.

Abi remained as gentle and composed as ever, as if the day she was recognized as a relative of the Chu princess had never happened.

Murong Fu said, "Little girl, are you really not going to acknowledge your ancestors and return to the palace to receive your investiture?"

Abi shook her head and smiled, "I'm already very content to know about my background. As long as I can stay by your side, I don't want to go anywhere else."

Murong Fu laughed and said, "When did my little girl Abi learn to speak sweet words and sweet talk?"

Abi blushed and whispered, "Young master, I was just speaking from the heart..."

The atmosphere grew increasingly ambiguous. Suddenly, Abi felt a pang of panic and hurriedly said, "Oh, right, Princess Sister said the day before yesterday that next month is the Queen Mother's sixtieth birthday. She invited you, young master, to come to the palace to offer your congratulations. Don't forget, young master."

After saying that, he hurriedly fled the place with small, quick steps.

Murong Fu chuckled: We're an old married couple, what's there to be coy about?
However, when it comes to the Empress Dowager's sixtieth birthday, we really need to make some good preparations.

Empress Dowager Gao was originally due to die this year, but Murong Fu's arrival allowed her to live for at least another ten years.

If I could use this favor to achieve my goal of retrieving Emperor Liang Yuan's treasure from Jiangning Prefecture, that would be wonderful.

To retrieve the treasure from Jiangning Prefecture, as Li Canghai said, one would need an official identity that could command respect in the local area.

Currently, I hold the title of Jiedushi (military governor), but it's an honorary title. Although prestigious, it carries no real power. To act effectively in the region, I still need an official status. It seems I'll have to prepare this gift carefully.

Things like gold and jade treasures are definitely not acceptable. Given Empress Dowager Gao's frugal nature, doing so would only increase her resentment.

As for things like Shoushan stone or meteorite iron, given my status, they are not only inferior but also fail to achieve the desired effect.

Empress Dowager Gao was sixty years old, which was considered quite old in that era. After all, seventy was a rare age in those days. Seventy years old was equivalent to a centenarian in later generations.

What kind of gift would be suitable for an elderly person these days that is neither tacky nor vulgar?

After a moment's thought, Murong Fu had an idea and picked up a piece of paper to draw a design.

Three days later, Feng Asan stood in front of Murong Fu, looking at the design drawings in his hand with a solemn expression.

Murong Fu asked, "How is it? Can it be done?"

After careful consideration, Feng Asan said firmly, "It can be done. The sect leader's design seems simple, but it is actually very ingenious and requires patient refinement. It cannot be mass-produced. However, as long as there are enough materials and time, it shouldn't be a problem to produce one or two pieces."

Murong Fu opened a small box on the table, which contained more than twenty pieces of crystal-clear, high-quality crystal.

"Materials are not a problem; I've already prepared them for you. It's just that time is limited; you only have twenty-five days. Can you create a perfect finished product?"

After a moment's thought, Feng Asan firmly replied, "If the sect leader orders me, I will gladly die for it!"

More than twenty days later, Feng Asan handed a delicate box to Murong Fu.

His eyes were bloodshot, clearly indicating that he hadn't slept much in recent days. Even with his profound internal energy from the Free and Unfettered Sect, he was still struggling to cope: "Reporting to the Sect Leader, I have successfully completed my mission!"

Murong Fu looked at the small object in the box with satisfaction, and tried it out himself. The familiar dizzying sensation made Murong Fu admire Feng Asan's craftsmanship immensely. You see, this thing may not seem like much in later generations, but it's the result of large-scale industrial mechanized production. Feng Asan, on the other hand, had painstakingly crafted it bit by bit entirely with his skillful hands.

"You've worked hard. Your martial uncle owes you a huge favor," Murong Fu comforted him.

Feng Asan quickly said, "Uncle-Master, please don't say that. You're making me feel terrible."

Murong Fu nodded in satisfaction: "My nephew is both absolutely loyal and capable. Our sect is truly full of talented people."

Murong Fu found it amusing and wanted to play a trick on Azhu, Abi, and the others. As soon as he entered the room, he saw the Chu princess, dressed in palace attire, holding Abi's hand and whispering to her. When she saw Murong Fu enter, she hurriedly stood up and said, "You, how come you walk so quietly?"

Murong Fu was speechless for a moment: "Miss, this is my home, this is my family's room, isn't your reaction a little inappropriate?"

"Hey, why didn't you bring any attendants with you? Didn't Lady Huang come with you?"

The Chu princess slightly raised her chin and said, "I've come to remind you not to forget the birthday banquet at noon today. It's time to go to the palace, Young Master Murong."