Chapter 393: Shou, Shou Brother?

Fu Zhi was stunned.

He had considered many possibilities for how this young man in front of him might explain his actions. But the one thing he never expected was the phrase "Not bad."

Is he... encouraging me?

Fu Zhi was baffled. In all the years since becoming the city lord, this was the first time a junior had dared to speak to him in such a tone. Yet, it was precisely this remark that forced him to set aside his old prejudices and start taking this young man seriously.

At first, he thought the person who could break the Hua Hai "Tianji Zhen" would be some veteran expert deeply immersed in spirit arrays, perhaps even well-versed in "Tianji Shu." But after seeing this fellow, he hesitated. He looks so young... Even if he started practicing spirit arrays and Tianji Shu from the womb, how could he have progressed this quickly? Still, the young man's words made him revisit his initial opinion. Without real skill, how could he have broken the "Tianji Zhen"? Without real skill, how could he dare to say something so encouraging?

"Who exactly are you?" he asked, his voice deep and serious.

Hearing the term "sir," Xu Xiaoshou felt a weight lift from his heart. The shift from "you" to "sir" meant that Fu Zhi was impressed.

Of course, all of this was based on his unorthodox "Textile Technique." Nothing else.

Xu Xiaoshou chose his words carefully, slowing his speech as he paced. "Who I am isn't important, or rather, even if I told you, you probably wouldn't know."

He looked at Fu Zhi with a smile on his face.

Fu Zhi was taken aback, and his face flushed with embarrassment once more.

Of course! He had been trapped by his own "Tianji Zhen" for four years, isolated from the world, completely out of touch with the times. What had happened in those four years? He had no idea. He lived in poverty and sorrow, yet stubbornly refused to admit defeat. He could have communicated with Fu Xing, but he wouldn't acknowledge being stuck in the spirit array. As a result, he spent four years pondering it, only to get deeper and deeper into trouble.

At the beginning, Fu Zhi still had a chance to force his way out of the spirit array. But as his research on the "Tian Shu Ji Pan" went astray, he lost even that ability. Layer upon layer of nested spirit arrays, fueled by that mysterious power, drove him to madness, obsession... and ultimately, lost in it all.

"Four years..."

Fu Zhi murmured to himself; he truly had no clue what was happening outside anymore. His communications with Fu Xing had stopped completely after he mentioned "seclusion." This led the people in the city lord's residence to think he was in retreat and not dare to disturb him. And there he was, trapped in the nested spirit arrays, unable to escape without outside help.

Thinking of this, Fu Zhi sighed softly. Even if this young man's method of exploding the spirit array was extreme, he was still his savior. That was why Fu Zhi had held back from acting. He just couldn't bring himself to feel right about it.

Xu Xiaoshou watched as Fu Zhi's expressions shifted unpredictably, and finally, after some inner struggle, a message appeared: "Gratitude received."

He was confused.

"Gratitude?" After blowing up his spirit array, and he's grateful? What on earth is going on in this guy's head?

No one who hadn't been locked in their own spirit array for years could understand Fu Zhi's thoughts right now. Xu Xiaoshou was no exception. But that didn't stop him from going with the flow.

"Have you let it go?" he asked casually, his voice calm, as if it were just an offhand comment. As for what "it" was, truthfully, even Xu Xiaoshou didn't know.

Fu Zhi, hearing this cryptic remark, sighed and realized that the person before him was no simple figure—he had seen through everything. This kind of individual was surely not as straightforward as he appeared on the surface. Perhaps... it was all a disguise! Including his appearance, age, strength... All of it fake!

But none of that mattered!

Fu Zhi's face tightened for a moment, then relaxed as he bowed with his fists clasped. "Thank you, sir, for your assistance. Only because of you could I escape this trapping array. However..."

His expression turned awkward, and he averted his gaze, looking to the side. "Could I ask you to keep this matter confidential and not spread it around?"

Xu Xiaoshou nearly burst out laughing but simply nodded slightly.

"Agreed."

With that single word, a long silence fell between them, leaving both in an awkward standoff.

Xu Xiaoshou knew his curt way of speaking would create this situation, but it was all part of his plan. As long as he didn't feel awkward, the awkwardness was the other person's problem. He'd just wait for Fu Zhi to crack first and change the topic.

Sure enough, the air only stayed quiet for a few seconds before Fu Zhi sensed something was off. Still, as the city lord, even after years of hardship, his social skills were intact.

"May I ask for your name, sir?"

Before Xu Xiaoshou could respond, Fu Zhi continued, "After all, you are my savior. Not knowing your name would be disrespectful on my part."

Xu Xiaoshou looked at his sincere face and hesitated. His first thought was "Zhou Tian Shen," almost blurting it out. But then he realized this tall man was one of the four great families in Tian Sang City—Fu Zhi might know about it. Besides, his real name wasn't something to hide, so Xu Xiaoshou decided not to bother concealing it. Some things just couldn't be hidden forever.

"Xu Xiaoshou."

As soon as he said it, a flicker of subtle disappointment crossed Fu Zhi's eyes.

This name... How perfunctory. Even if you don't want me to know your real name, couldn't you make up something better? Xiaoshou?

"Suspicion received, passive points: 1."

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow. This guy still doesn't believe me?

He was about to open his mouth to say something when Fu Zhi, who had hidden his emotions perfectly, suddenly transformed. Like flipping a switch, he became enthusiastic, slapping Xu Xiaoshou on the back.

"So it's Brother Shou!"

"I've heard so much about you!"

Xu Xiaoshou: ???

Brother Shou?

This... Uncle, you can't do that!

He staggered, nearly losing his footing.

Fu Xing calling me bro was one thing, but you're an older man who could be my uncle, and you're calling me "Brother Shou"? I can't accept this!

"You're too kind, sir. We're not... that close?"

"Ah!" Fu Zhi knew exactly what Xu Xiaoshou was thinking. He slapped him on the shoulder, beaming with joy. "Learning has no end, and the capable come first. Based on the 'Tianji Shu' you just displayed, you more than deserve the title!"

Fu Zhi laughed heartily, all the while secretly observing Xu Xiaoshou's reaction. That deliberate display of "Tianji Shu"—would this guy take the bait? After all, even in the Sheng Shen Dian Tang, it's a closely guarded secret. He had deciphered it thanks to the "Tian Shu Ji Pan" from Bai Ku, but how had this fellow managed it?

Xu Xiaoshou's mind was nowhere near "Tianji Shu." His thoughts had veered off to who knows where.

Brother Shou?

What the hell is this "Brother Shou"?

Is this whole family just hardwired to call people "bro"? But at least distinguish the person! Fu Xing calls me bro, and now you do too—how am I supposed to address you? Uncle? Little brother? Or... Uncle-brother?

A wave of despair washed over Xu Xiaoshou. If this ever came to light...

Help! Have I taken this act a bit too far?