Zhu Qilue is not a fool, and naturally, suspicion arises.

When someone shows undue favor without reason, it's either treachery or theft.

However.

He chose to temporarily cast suspicion aside, or rather, intentionally decided to forget it.

Ever since Mu Feichen recognized him as the Young Master of the Fire Clan, Zhu Qilue, he had been extremely respectful and polite, always treating him as a noble.

Therefore.

This manner of treatment made Zhu Qilue, to some extent, lower his guard and gradually believe that Mu Feichen genuinely respected him after setting aside his suspicion.

Zhu Qilue had never truly received respect, so when Mu Feichen treated him with such deference, he naturally became flustered, falling into a state of self-satisfaction and triumph.

"Young Master Mu, no need to apologize; this is your domain. It was I who have intruded presumptuously."

Mu Feichen sneered in his heart, the fish has taken the bait!

He still wore an apologetic expression, his brow furrowed with a somber expression, as if deeply regretting and remorseful for his earlier presumptuous inquiry.

"I am merely the Young Master of a small Biao Bureau; how dare I compare myself to the esteemed Young Master of the Fire Clan. Young Master Zhu has truly esteemed me too highly, and I am unworthy."

"If Young Master Mu continues to be so polite, I will start to feel embarrassed."

Both expressed their humility.

However, Zhu Qilue was sincere, both wanting to please Mu Feichen to leverage the Mu Family's Guiyuan Biao Bureau against Gong Wenyao, and because he was overjoyed with Mu Feichen's flattery, his attitude was naturally very good.

But Mu Feichen was merely acting, and his performance was impeccable; Zhu Qilue had no suspicion at all. Although Zhu Qilue wasn't a fool, at this moment, he was even more foolish, being played around by Mu Feichen, yet blissfully unaware, still indulging in his own intoxicated satisfaction.

Such people, such attitudes, are exceedingly dangerous!

At a few flattering words from others, he would soar as if he were the lord of all, able to treat anyone with condescendence and directives.

Although Zhu Qilue did not act condescendingly, he enjoyed the feeling of being admired by all.

Especially since the other party was the Young Master of a significant force within the Five Elements Realm, he was even more smug and triumphant.

Mu Feichen was quite sober, keenly observing Zhu Qilue's subtle expressions. Although the latter did not show exuberant joy, his upturned corners of the mouth, the light in his eyes, and the subtly changed complexion all indicated that the flattery was quite on point, hitting Zhu Qilue's soft spot directly.

Next, after an extravagant bout of flattery, it was time to get to the main topic.

"If Young Master Zhu has any instructions, this humble one is willing to serve with all my might!"

At these words.

Zhu Qilue was greatly astonished, an indescribable excitement surged up in his heart like a volcanic eruption, putting him in an extremely exhilarated state.

"What... what did you say?!"

Even his voice trembled a bit, evidencing his excitement.

"As long as it is a word from the Young Master, this humble one is willing to be loyal to the Young Master, no matter the matter; this humble one is willing to do it with all effort."

"Are... are your words true?!"

"A gentleman never speaks frivolously!"

Mu Feichen spoke earnestly, exceedingly grave. Yet, he was secretly chuckling in his heart, this fool actually took it seriously!

Truly a big fool!

He himself was no gentleman; he was precisely a scoundrel!

Gentlemen couldn't have developed a small Biao Bureau to this scale; only a scoundrel could adeptly navigate and manage the affairs among the five great clans with such skill and ease.

Otherwise.

A small Biao Bureau like his would have long been swallowed by the five great clans, with no possibility of survival.

Rumors outside said that the Young Master of the Fire Clan, Zhu Qilue, was a big useless person, and that the Fire Clan Leader, Zhu Sui, had such a son, and only such a son, truly ending the lineage.

Probably in past lives the greatest sins had been committed to produce this useless scion, Zhu Qilue.

When others spoke these words, Mu Feichen was somewhat skeptical. Even if useless, being the Young Master of the Fire Clan, being influenced since childhood wouldn't be so lacking, would it?

But upon seeing him today.

He clearly widened his horizons, completely exceeding his imagination.

Casually, he could be manipulated, without the slightest suspicion, so trusting of him.

If not a fool, what is he?

If Zhu Qilue weren't standing right before him, he might have already burst into a laughing fit.

"Good! Good!"

Zhu Qilue indeed had no suspicion, clapping his hands vigorously, his face flushed with excitement.

A real man can bend and stretch for the better survival of the Guiyuan Biao Bureau, and Mu Feichen is willing to do anything.

Thud!

Mu Feichen directly knelt on one knee, lowering his head, bowing to Zhu Qilue.

After all, there were only the two of them in the room; later, if Zhu Qilue mentioned it, he could just deny it; without a third person seeing, he had nothing to fear.

The most important thing now is to win over Zhu Qilue; face and the like can be set aside for later.

"Whatever the Young Master needs next, feel free to let me do it; I will surely do my best! This Nameless Village, the Young Master may not be very familiar with, and perhaps not even with Wenyu City; if there's any place the Young Master needs, do not hesitate to speak!"

Mu Feichen deliberately and inadvertently mentioned Wenyu City.

Zhu Qilue and Lin Fan had come a long way to this Nameless Village; it likely has something to do with Wenyu City.

Even if they didn't say it, he could guess somewhat.

He just didn't know the specifics, so he mentioned it now to hint at Zhu Qilue, that even matters related to Wenyu City could be easily handled.

Zhu Qilue remained silent.

Furrowing his brow, his eyes fixed intently on Mu Feichen, as if pondering something.

Not a sound was heard.

Dead silence!

Thump thump!

Thump thump!

Mu Feichen could clearly hear his own heartbeat, involuntarily tensing up.

He could feel Zhu Qilue's sharp gaze, like a dagger hanging over his head, chilling him to the bone.

This guy couldn't have seen through him, could he?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible!

Just now, he was still deeply grateful for his words and behavior; how could he have seen through him?

But.

Why isn't he speaking now, why is he staring at him coldly, what does he want to say?

Mu Feichen's eye twitched wickedly, feeling a near suffocation, with his heartbeat growing louder. He quickly reached for his chest, fearing Zhu Qilue might hear his heartbeat.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

...

Ten breaths!

For ten whole breaths, Zhu Qilue uttered not a word, standing stock-still as if immobilized.

Mu Feichen dared not lift his head, terrified that his anxious expression might reveal his true thoughts, so he could only kneel on one knee, head bowed, waiting for Zhu Qilue to speak.

For goodness' sake!

Why is this taking so long!

Mu Feichen waited impatiently, his expression growing more strained, more unnatural. He felt an impulse to stand and berate Zhu Qilue, to break the ensnaring silence; when had he ever knelt to anyone?! Were it not for the future of the Guiyuan Biao Bureau, he would never do such a humiliating thing.

Moreover.

This kneeling, it was far too long! He hadn't even knelt to his ancestors this long, yet here he was, kneeling for so long before a mere waste of the Fire Clan Young Master; it was absurd!

He resolved that if Zhu Qilue didn't speak within another breath, he would come clean!