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

The following morning, Zhou Qingfeng entered the city lord's mansion alone again.

Outside the gates of the mansion, Gao Xianchun, the commander of the Palace Guard, was still faithfully performing his duties.

Zhou Qingfeng took out his access token, indicating that he would cooperate with the search.

"Please forgive me, young master." Gao Xianchun clasped his hands in a salute and personally inspected the body, not allowing anyone else to interfere, as a sign of respect. Others were of lowly status and had no right to search the body of a nobleman. Only he, as the commander of the Palace Guard, was qualified to do so personally. Even if a deputy were to come, it would not work.

As the saying goes, even a seventh-rank official can rise above the prime minister's gate. Moreover, Gao Xianchun was the highest-ranking military officer in the Palace Guard. In fact, he was one of the First City Lord's trusted subordinates, a powerful and influential confidant. Otherwise, how could he have become the Commander of the Palace Guard?

"Lord Gao, with you so devoted to your duties, your mother can finally rest easy."

"Young master, you flatter me. I have only done my duty."

"Master Gao, it's so hot and humid. Have some ice cream to cool down."

"Thank you, young master. I am no longer affected by heat or cold, and I am not hot."

"Hey~~~ have a bowl, it's on you."

"Ah... please take it back, young master. If the madam finds out..."

Zhou Qingfeng, carrying a lunchbox in one hand, took out a bowl of chilled ice cream from the lunchbox and placed it in Gao Xianchun's hand with a smile: "Eat with peace of mind. It's just a bowl of ice cream, not worth much money. It's not a bribe. Consider it a gesture of friendship."

Gao Xianchun put on a serious face, held the ice cream and offered it with both hands: "Please take back the reward, young master. This humble servant is truly unworthy of it."

Gao Xianchun's concerns and caution stemmed from his profound understanding of his duties and his clear awareness of his own position. As the Commander of the Palace Guard, he not only bore the heavy responsibility of protecting the city lord's mansion, but also knew his delicate place in the power structure.

Accepting Zhou Qingfeng's ice cream may seem like a small matter, but in this hierarchical and strictly rule-bound environment, any subtle action can be interpreted as an implication or intention. Especially for a high-ranking confidant like Gao Xianchun, it is even more necessary to remain vigilant at all times, carefully navigating awkward situations to avoid giving the impression of abusing one's power for personal gain or engaging in sycophancy.

Therefore, even when faced with Zhou Qingfeng's good intentions, he had to politely decline in order to maintain his image of integrity and loyalty.

Zhou Qingfeng hoped to use this bowl of ice cream to get closer to Gao Xianchun. As the son of the city lord, his actions were not only to express personal goodwill, but also to gain more support and help from Gao Xianchun in the future.

Through this seemingly casual little gift, Zhou Qingfeng attempted to build a closer interpersonal bond beyond the formal superior-subordinate relationship. He knew that, no matter where you are, good interpersonal relationships often bring unexpected benefits.

However, Gao Xianchun's rejection did not discourage Zhou Qingfeng.

Instead, he understood Gao Xianchun's position and continued to try to break down the barrier between the two in a relaxed manner: "Lord Gao, look how hot the weather is. A bowl of ice cream is nothing. Why be so formal? I sincerely want you to try it."

As he spoke, Zhou Qingfeng took out another bowl of shaved ice from the lunchbox and handed it to Gao Xianchun, his smile unchanged: "This second bowl is a gift from me as a token of my friendship. It has nothing to do with official business, so please enjoy it without worry."

Zhou Qingfeng's words contained both genuine concern and clever strategy.

He understood that sometimes small "breakthroughs" were needed to truly move people's hearts.

As for Gao Xianchun, although he remained vigilant, he had to admit that Zhou Qingfeng's sincerity was indeed hard to resist. So, he smiled slightly and accepted the second bowl of ice cream: "Young Master is so hospitable, it would be pretentious for me to refuse again."

"Eat quickly, before it melts." Zhou Qingfeng smiled and nodded slightly, with a lunchbox hanging from his arm and an ice cream in his other hand. He ate as he walked towards the city lord's mansion. He didn't need to turn Gao Xianchun into one of his own; maintaining a good personal relationship with Gao Xianchun was enough for now.

In short, make more friends and fewer enemies. More friends mean more paths, more enemies mean more walls.

As Zhou Qingfeng strolled into the inner courtyard of the city lord's mansion, he knew the way like the back of his hand. Panda, following the scent, found him. This girl was the most talkative and gluttonous, and also the youngest and least skilled among the many sword servants, but Zhou Qingfeng dared not underestimate her in the slightest.

"Si Lang, Si Lang, where are you going? Do you want me to show you the way? The inner courtyard is so boring, I'll take you for a walk."

"Si Lang, Si Lang, I really like the peach blossom cake and cherry pastry that you had Sister Jianwu distribute to us yesterday. Where did you buy them? I'd like to ask someone to buy some more, but if it's too far, forget it. Oh right, could you take me with you next time you go out?"

"Si Lang, Si Lang, why aren't you saying anything? After all these years, you're still such a quiet person. I've told you before that you should be outgoing and talk more, not so taciturn. Being so introverted won't do; you'll easily end up with no friends. You must listen to my advice."

"What are you eating? Is it good? Can I have a bite? Just one bite, a tiny bite, please? If you don't say anything, I'll take that as a yes." Panda snatched the half-eaten bowl of shaved ice from Zhou Qingfeng and ran off, disappearing in a flash.

Zhou Qingfeng stood there, speechless and bewildered: "..."

A sense of powerlessness welled up in my heart.

The scene shifts, and Zhou Qingfeng arrives at the First Scripture Pavilion on Lotus Peak. He respectfully bows to the towering and wide door, saying, "Senior Ni Qing, Senior Ni Ming, I, Zhou Silang, am here to pay my respects. I have received my mother's permission to come and seek scriptures from this pavilion."

The two golden dragon reliefs on the gate suddenly came to life, bursting out of the wall and transforming into two yellow-robed guardians of the scriptures.

The two elders, Qingming and Niqing, looked at Zhou Qingfeng with smiles. Senior Niqing said, "It's been many years. Your cultivation has progressed rapidly."

Zhou Qingfeng clasped his hands in a salute: "Thanks to the blessings of Seniors Ni Qing and Ni Ming, I have been able to have smooth sailing. I know that you two seniors have been guarding the Scripture Pavilion here for many years and have worked very hard. On this visit, I have specially prepared some cold dishes from your residence. Please enjoy them."

The two elders of Qingming exchanged a glance, looked at the lunchbox Zhou Qingfeng handed over, and nodded with a smile: "You're so thoughtful, Fourth Brother."

Given your cultivation level, realm, and seniority, not just anyone is qualified to give you gifts, nor is anyone qualified to stand before you. Among the younger generation in Sword Tower City, only Zhou Qingfeng's exceptional talent and ability can earn their special attention and admiration.

The respect and filial piety from Zhou Qingfeng were indeed very pleasing to the two elders, Qingming and his wife, as they received the emotional support they deserved.

"Fourth Master, please enter the pavilion." The two elders of Qingming raised their hands and pushed open the towering and heavy doors of the First Scripture Pavilion, which were only wide enough for one person to pass through.