Chapter 36: Elders’ Gifts Cannot Be Refused

"Our Lord Marquis is a great lover of nature. The plants and animals in this rare garden were all collected at great expense from various places, many of which are rare species from the elves and beastfolk. Usually, unless permitted by the Lord Marquis, outsiders are strictly forbidden to enter. The Lord is waiting inside. Please, Your Excellency Viscount."

Upon hearing the butler's words, Xu Feng's mind raced. What was the meaning of this? Choosing this place for their meeting—was it a deliberate show of goodwill?

Xu Feng nodded, his expression unchanged as he stepped into the rare garden. A fragrant aroma greeted him, refreshing and invigorating. On a branch perched a beautiful little bird.

A music bird! Xu Feng was startled. He had seen it in the Magical Beast Compendium. This music bird was also a magical beast, yet it was not only harmless but also incredibly precious. It was said its song could rival the singing of mermaids.

In the center of the garden stood a delicate, small pavilion where a middle-aged man sat drinking alone. He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in luxurious robes with a composed demeanor—likely the Royal Chief Advisor and master of the Marquis's estate.

"Now that you are here, Viscount, won't you come in and sit?"

Xu Feng smiled and stepped into the pavilion. The two exchanged greetings, and Xu Feng's demeanor was impeccable. Although he wasn't particularly interested in noble etiquette, as the saying goes, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." In such settings, putting on a proper appearance was necessary.

The two also sized each other up, their gazes eventually meeting. Loshiki let out a hearty laugh, "They say heroes are found among the young. I never believed it before, but seeing you today, Viscount, I realize the truth in those words."

"You flatter me, Lord Marquis."

"Not at all."

Loshiki shook his head, "Princess Ailiya's illness left even His Holiness the Pope helpless, yet Your Excellency Viscount cured her as soon as you applied the needles. Moreover..." He paused here, "Your Excellency is also a very powerful mage."

Xu Feng's expression remained unchanged, but his mind raced. That noon, he had used magic to intimidate the capital guard cavalry—the very ones sent by the Marquis to cause trouble. By saying this, was the Marquis trying to lay his cards on the table?

Alright, he decided to listen first and wait to see how things developed.

Sure enough, Loshiki spoke up, "I heard that you, Viscount, have recently opened a clothing store and a restaurant in the imperial capital."

"Yes," Xu Feng smiled, "Just a small business, something to pass the time."

"So it is indeed your venture, Viscount." Loshiki smiled, "On the same street, I also own a fabric shop and a tavern. As the saying goes, 'In the same trade, we're natural rivals.' My subordinates didn't know you, Viscount, were the new owner and actually sent people to cause trouble. This glass of wine is my apology to you."

Xu Feng was taken aback. The other's directness was unexpected. Moreover, Loshiki, as the Imperial Advisor, was one of the most powerful figures in the imperial capital. There was no need for him to lower himself like this. What exactly was his intention?

Though puzzled, since the other party was showing goodwill, Xu Feng naturally saw no reason to offend him. He smiled and said, "You are too kind, Lord Marquis. It's a trivial matter, not worth worrying about. Besides, I, as a junior, was not without fault."

The two clinked glasses and drank in one go. It was premium red wine transported from a thousand miles away—pure in taste, sweet and refreshing. It was said that just this small glass was worth half a year's living expenses for ordinary people. The extravagance of the nobility was evident.

Thinking back to his school days, when he could only eat cafeteria junk food every day, now he enjoyed delicacies and fine wines daily, accompanied by beauties. Transmigration truly was wonderful.

"That fool who offended you, Viscount, has been given twenty lashes on my orders to vent your anger."

As the saying goes, "Unwarranted kindness is either deceit or theft." Marquis Luoxiqi's actions were not merely showing goodwill but almost bordering on flattery. As if to confirm his thoughts, the Marquis's voice continued, "Since you wish to do business, Viscount, and this is our first meeting, I have no gift to offer. How about I simply give you those two shops on that commercial street?"

A tavern and a clothing store—worth at least tens of thousands of gold coins. No matter how wealthy the Marquis's estate was, they couldn't just throw money away. This was a substantial gift. Xu Feng sighed, "Your Excellency Marquis, let's speak plainly. As the saying goes, 'one should not accept rewards without merit.' Your actions put me in a difficult position. Is there something you need my help with?"

This was the only reasonable explanation. Otherwise, why would a Marquis, one of the empire's most prominent figures, go out of his way to flatter him for no reason?

"Haha, you are being too formal, Viscount." A smile appeared on Loshiki's face, "I simply admire your youthful talent and wish to befriend you."

Xu Feng was skeptical inwardly. He didn't believe in free lunches, but the other party was shrewd, and it would be hard to pry information out of him.

Though he had doubts, the gift was undeniably tempting—two prime-location shops worth at least tens of thousands of gold coins. Why refuse what's offered? Moreover, if he declined, the other party might take it as an insult. Very well, Xu Feng smiled, "As the saying goes, 'one should not refuse an elder's gift.' Then I, as a junior, will accept."

"Haha, that's more like it!"

A smile spread across Loshiki's face. His reason for flattering Xu Feng was, of course, deliberate. As the saying goes, "walls have ears." Corona was not only a Court Mage but also a close friend of Princess Ailiya. During a conversation, Corona told the princess that Xu Feng had cured her teacher's illness and, due to his outstanding talent, had been taken as a disciple by her teacher.

Once, while at the palace, the Marquis accidentally overheard this secret from the princess's maid.

The speaker may have been careless, but the listener was attentive. Corona was renowned as the "Magician's Flower," coveted by many nobles. Yet, aside from polite courtship, no one dared to use underhanded methods. The reasons were twofold: first, Corona's own strength was not to be underestimated—a High Intermediate Mage was already a formidable force. But the fundamental reason wasn't that. What made the nobles treat her with respect and courtesy was her master's influence. Her teacher, Kelaibafei, was one of the only two remaining Archmages among humans, a Saint Expert. Even the emperor showed him respect, so how could nobles dare offend an Archmage's beloved disciple?

Being an Archmage's disciple was synonymous with boundless prospects. Now that Xu Feng had been taken under Kelaibafei's wing, Marquis Luoxiqi naturally wanted to curry favor as much as possible.

The title of Viscount meant little to him, but the identity of an Archmage's disciple could not be ignored.

To put it plainly, this was an investment. As the Imperial Advisor, Loshiki's judgment was beyond doubt. He had high hopes for Xu Feng—this young man would achieve astonishing accomplishments.