"Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms?"
The Ruyang King looked startled and gazed at Zhao Ya.
Zhao Ya said, "Yes, by a stroke of luck, Chen Jiusi learned Five Palms, but unfortunately, the rest of the Hand Techniques eluded him. Isnât it true that our Ruyang Royal Mansion has the subsequent cultivation techniques?"
"Why not reward him, to show our fatherâs appreciation for talent; donât you think Iâm right, father?"
Zhao Ya looked at the Ruyang King as she spoke. Listening to her words, the Ruyang King glanced at Zhao Ya and said, "Yaya, youâve seen this cultivation technique too, havenât you secretly passed it on to him?"
"Father, what kind of person do you take Yaya for? Without your permission, how could Yaya dare to pass on the Prince Mansion Secret Manual to others?"
Zhao Ya said, and upon hearing this, the Ruyang King was quite pleased.
After all, if it were secretly taught, though he wouldnât say anything, he would naturally be displeased. But Zhao Ya not passing it on was a sign of respect for the Ruyang King.
The Ruyang King greatly favored those who understood the rules.
This was also Zhao Yaâs subtle understanding of the Ruyang Kingâs temper, preventing the Ruyang King from disliking Chen Jie because of such matters.
The Ruyang Kingâs fondness for Zhao Ya was not just because she was his daughter. He had four daughters, yet only Zhao Ya was his favorite, incomparable to the others.
Even among the Ruyang Kingâs three sons, compared to Zhao Ya, they were far less favored.
The reason was that Zhao Ya understood her father so well, knew how to behave to earn his love, approval, and even favoritism.
Therefore, in front of her father, she always behaved mischievously, even a bit boldly, and the Ruyang King adored it. None of the other children dared to pull the Ruyang Kingâs arm and whine sweetly like a daughter does to her father.
Only Zhao Ya could do so without tiring the Ruyang King, which was indeed Zhao Yaâs skill, unmatched by others.
However, others only saw the Ruyang Kingâs bias but didnât see that Zhao Ya had her limits, and maintaining those limits was why the Ruyang King liked her. Crossing them would result in the Ruyang Kingâs displeasure.
In the entire mansion, only Zhao Ya dared to treat the Ruyang King this way; the other children were as skittish as mice in the presence of a cat.
The Ruyang King was very satisfied with Zhao Yaâs way of handling things, without any reckless actions.
She adhered to the mansionâs rules and did not casually pass on these precious secret manuals to close ones.
Thinking of this, the Ruyang King looked at Zhao Ya and said, "For the significant contribution of saving my daughter from peril that Chen Jiusi made, this mere Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms seems rather light."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ya quickly took the Ruyang Kingâs arm and said, "Father..."
The Ruyang King looked at Zhao Ya, puzzled by her meaning. At this moment, Zhao Ya said, "Father, itâs not light at all. If the rewards are too grand, it will be challenging to keep subordinates in line in the future. If significant merits are earned again, what am I to reward with?"
The Ruyang King was taken aback, the corners of his mouth slightly curled up, very pleased with Zhao Yaâs attitude.
His words just now had a probing intention, as he was worried that since Zhao Ya and Chen Jiusi had spent so much time with the Five Poison Sect, Zhao Ya might have developed a different kind of relationship with him.
Especially when Wang Baobao caught Chen Jiusi earlier, Yaya defended him so urgently.
This aroused the Ruyang Kingâs suspicion, but Zhao Yaâs words just reassured him. This Yaya understood the way to control subordinates, giving and taking as needed, without excessive rewards, lest desires become insatiable; what then?
At this time, Zhao Ya was still contemplating the method of controlling subordinates, which made the Ruyang King satisfied, not suspecting that she had been brainwashed or controlled by Chen Jiusi.
If he had detected even the slightest hint, the Ruyang King would cut through the issues decisively, and by that time, Chen Jiusiâs life would be forfeit. The Ruyang King wouldnât hesitate just because Chen Jiusi had saved Zhao Yaâs life.
He might not have a heart of stone, but he did possess the decisive tactics of a formidable leader, to take action without hesitation to avoid chaos!
Zhao Ya absolutely understood her fatherâs thoughts, so she needed to display her ability to control subordinates, to ensure the Ruyang King saw Chen Jiusi as nothing more than a useful pawn.
Only this way could Chen Jiusi be protected.
What does it mean to accompany a ruler as if accompanying a tiger? This is exactly it.
The Ruyang King was very satisfied with Zhao Yaâs approach, nodded gently and said, "Yaya, you speak wisely."
Following which, the Ruyang King said, "Hmm, Chen Jiusi."
Chen Jie immediately stepped forward, clasping his fists and said, "Subordinate is here."
"Chen Jiusi, I heard you practice the Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms?"
Chen Jie immediately clasped his fists and said, "Yes, the subordinate has been practicing the Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shicheng, standing on the side, slightly furrowed his brows, contemplating whether to expose Chen Jiusiâs true skills. He thought, what âSeventeen Dragon Capturing Palmsâ; isnât he practicing the Human Emperorâs Three Divine Skills, the âFour Seasons Celestial Phenomenon Techniqueâ?"
However, just as Zhang Shicheng was about to step forward, he saw Chen Jie glance in his direction.
His step halted immediately, not daring to move forward, and at this moment, Chen Jie smirked at him. This made Zhang Shicheng even more hesitant to act rashly; what was Chen Jiusi plotting?
Yet instinct told him if he insisted on stepping forward and exposing Chen Jiusi, unforeseen troubles could arise.
So Zhang Shicheng remained still.
After all, he didnât want mutual destruction with Chen Jie.
Their subtle exchange was solely through eye contact, understanding each other without alerting anyone else.