Once I enter the pass, great Confucian scholars will surely debate the classics for me.

Inside the study of the Zhou family mansion, one of the seven top noble families in Sword Tower City.

During his nighttime visit to the Sisi Mansion, Zhao Kuo chatted with Zhou Qingfeng with a smile, displaying a very enthusiastic attitude.

Zhou Qingfeng didn't put on any airs, smiling and asking Zhao Kuo about his well-being, patiently going through the 'procedures'.

The main problem is that Zhao Kuo, the man before us, is no simple character.

Firstly, this person comes from the Heavy Armored Dragon Riders' personal guard, belonging to the First Lady's direct subordinates. Those who can enter are not necessarily the strongest, but they must have a clean family background, be loyal and capable, have above-average strength among their peers, and be descendants of the First Lady who are related to her.

Secondly, Zhao Kuo was able to secure his position as the Night Patrol Officer, which means he must have had exceptional abilities in certain aspects, and he held a very important position, in charge of the grassroots power structure of Sword Tower City.

This was enough for Zhou Qingfeng to give him a certain amount of respect and courtesy. As for Zhao Kuo's cultivation level in the Food Demon Realm, it was the least important thing in Zhou Qingfeng's eyes, because in the Sword Tower, power and background mattered.

After a series of insincere, friendly, and enthusiastic opening remarks.

Zhao Kuo finally couldn't hold back any longer and got straight to the point, presenting the treasure.

He took out a white bone and skin box from his storage ring. The box was about the size of a palm, pink in color, exquisite and small. Its main structure was white bone, covered with a layer of beautiful skin. It was a magical artifact made by Gu masters who studied Gu techniques. It was specially used to seal some wild demon insects for the purpose of cultivating Gu insects.

"Commander Zhou, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me. I have no way to express my gratitude, so I have prepared a small gift for you. Please accept it with a smile."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng smiled and took the box, feigning ignorance as he asked, "What is this?"

Zhao Kuo faced Zhou Qingfeng, clasped his hands in a salute, and said: "The Cicada of Resonance."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled faintly: "Is Zhao Sifu trying to bribe me?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo calmly smiled and said, "Commander Zhou, you flatter me. It is only proper for me to come empty-handed when I visit you. What does this have to do with bribery?"

Zhou Qingfeng handed the box back to Zhao Kuo and said calmly, "If it's just a matter of exchanging favors, an ordinary gift will suffice. The Resonance Cicada is quite valuable, and if word gets out, it might raise suspicions of bribery. Please take it back, Zhao Sifu."

"Ah, this..." Zhao Kuo took the box, somewhat at a loss.

Zhou Qingfeng said with a serious expression, "Prefect Zhao, I, Zhou Qingfeng, am an honest and upright official, clean-handed, law-abiding, and have never embezzled or accepted a single penny of bribes. This is a matter of principle, and I hope you can understand that."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo looked utterly bewildered: "???"

Then, his thoughts raced, and the experienced Zhao Kuo quickly realized the truth, praising him repeatedly: "The Assistant Commander is indeed upright and righteous, a true role model for all officials of Sword Tower. No wonder the city lord entrusted you with such an important task, putting you in charge of the Five Departments."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled slightly: "It's good that you understand. Please sit down. Zhao Sifu, what important matter brings you here today? Please speak frankly. As long as it doesn't violate the law or principles, I will definitely help if I can."

Zhao Kuo retrieved the box containing the resonating cicada, realizing that Zhou Qingfeng was no ordinary person and that ordinary methods wouldn't work. He had to find another way to deliver it.

"Commander Zhou, I really need your help with a small matter."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng narrowed his eyes: "Oh? Tell me about it."

Zhao Kuo remained calm and placed the resonating cicada back on the tea table. He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Actually, I have long heard that the Commander-in-Chief is honest and upright, incorruptible, and has a reputation for benevolence and justice. Today, after trying it out, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."

"Recently, I have been preparing to purchase a batch of materials for ascending to the Poisonous Eater Realm. However, I am short of money and can only try to sell my personal belongings. I have also tried to trade the Resonance Cicada, but the prices they offered were too low, so I did not sell it. As a result, some bad guys have been eyeing it and have tried to forcibly seize the Resonance Cicada several times."

Zhou Qingfeng feigned righteous indignation, slammed his fist on the table, and angrily rebuked, "Lawless! Sword Tower will never tolerate such madmen! Tell me, who did this!"

Zhao Kuo quickly waved his hand and said, "Commander-in-Chief, please don't be angry. These villains are all masked. I don't know who they are. I only know that they have been watching me from the shadows."

"I live in constant fear and anxiety. I thought it better to entrust this item to you for sale. With your reputation and the item in your hands, those petty scoundrels will certainly not dare to covet it."

"When you find a buyer for the goods, you can give me the money from the sale."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qingfeng said, "You trust me that much?"

Zhao Kuo nodded solemnly and said, "I trust him. I have absolute faith in the character and reputation of the Assistant Commander."

Zhou Qingfeng smiled and said, "Okay, then I'll reluctantly try to find some connections for you and see if anyone can buy it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo's face lit up with joy, and he bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your help, Commander-in-Chief. I am deeply grateful."

Zhou Qingfeng looked at Zhao Kuo with admiration in his eyes; he enjoyed dealing with intelligent people.

Consignment is nothing more than a pretext to legitimately deliver goods into one's own hands.

Whether it's ultimately sold, how much it fetched, and whether he gets paid—that's all up to him.

As long as the goods are not sold, you don't have to pay a single penny.

If someone tries to use this incident to accuse me of embezzlement and bribery, I have many ways to cover it up. No one can actually prove that I accepted bribes.

Even when facing the city lord, he could stand tall and say with confidence: "I, Zhou Qingfeng, am incorruptible and have never taken a single penny from you, because I do not love money and have no interest in it."

Zhao Kuo lowered his head, a slight smirk playing on his lips. What kind of scoundrels and villains were they? They were just made up out of thin air. With his official status, which of those lowly fry would dare to defy him?

However, Zhao Kuo also felt quite helpless. He had encountered many cunning people in his life, but the most troublesome ones were people like Zhou Qingfeng, who wanted everything. He had to figure out how to send gifts, ensuring that Zhou Qingfeng's public image and reputation remained intact, while also delivering the gifts.

If Zhao Kuo hadn't been somewhat experienced, shrewd, and adaptable, even if he had learned from Zhiqi that Zhou Qingfeng needed the Cicada of Resonance, he still wouldn't have been able to give the gift.

Zhou Qingfeng said with a smile, "It's getting late, Zhao Sifu. Why don't you stay for dinner?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kuo bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Since the Commander-in-Chief has extended such a warm invitation, I, your humble servant, will gladly accept."

Zhou Qingfeng nodded slightly and called out, "Someone, prepare dinner."

Upon hearing Zhou Qingfeng's command, the servants waiting outside the study immediately appeared at the door and bowed in response. Zhou Qingfeng stood up, and Zhao Kuo quickly stepped aside and followed Zhou Qingfeng out of the study.

A moment later, a table of fine wines and delicacies was brought out from the private kitchen.

Zhao Kuo raised his cup and was the first to offer a toast: "Commander Zhou, I would like to offer you a toast to thank you for helping me out of my urgent predicament."

Zhou Qingfeng raised his glass and said with a smile, "It was nothing, no need to thank me."

Zhao Kuo drank the wine in one gulp, then shook his head and sighed, as if he had some unspeakable secret.

Seeing this, Zhou Qingfeng knew that Zhao Kuo wanted him to do something important, so he didn't pretend to be interested and asked what was going on. After all, if you take someone's favor, you have to do their favor, otherwise you shouldn't take it.

"Has the Zhao family encountered some other trouble?"