Daily Intelligence System: Don't Kill Me, Honey!

Chapter 135: Chapter 105: The Favor of the Big Shot, Chen 94’s Path to Success - Part 6

*From now on, anyone who wants to mess with me will have to think twice.*

*This is the kind of blessing many dream of but can never achieve!*

*At this moment, Chen Jie felt the urge to drop to one knee and say,* ”Jiu Si wandered aimlessly for half his life, lamenting the lack of a wise master. If you do not reject me, I am willing to honor you as my adoptive father.”

*One call of ’Father,’ and it would mean unparalleled resources tilted in my favor.*

*To achieve great things, effort alone is not enough; the right patron is equally crucial.*

*Right now, Peng Shizhong seemed to align perfectly with his aspirations.*

*But Chen Jie restrained himself. Though it was Peng Shizhong who wanted him as an adoptive son, eager to secure such a capable talent,*

*he equally felt tempted. However, taking the initiative to kneel now felt cheap and undignified.*

*So, Chen Jie hesitated deliberately.*

Bai Wenjing watched anxiously from the side, nudging Chen Jie under the table with his foot.

”This is a golden opportunity,” he thought. Bai Wenjing, despite his extensive connections within the Fishing Guild, couldn’t even dream of his network leading Peng Shizhong to adopt someone like him.

*A chance like this is unimaginable,*

*and it’s your potential that attracted it, Chen Jiusi. If you don’t seize it now, then forget your ambitions—just resign yourself to a quiet retirement in Xiantao Town.*

*What wild aspirations could you possibly hold on to?*

Chen Jie glanced at Bai Wenjing, who whispered urgently, ”Agree to it! Sect Master Peng doesn’t take in adoptive sons lightly!”

”Yes, Jiu Si! It’s an amazing opportunity! Say yes!”

Wu Zhong urged him as well.

This gathering fortunately didn’t include Wu Hong,

since Wu Hong wasn’t part of the Fishing Guild and was off dining separately with Zhang Liye.

But if he were here, he would undoubtedly also encourage Chen Jie to accept becoming an adoptive son.

*After all, being taken under the wing of an Energy Transformation master as an adoptive son is almost impossible.*

*Moreover, this master isn’t seeking anything from you. Retirement? There are plenty lining up to care for such a master,*

*but he can bestow upon you wealth and power beyond imagination.*

*Only a fool would pass this up!*

Peng Shizhong remained patient, sipping his wine. Just then, Feng Xuan chimed in: ”Jiu Si, an adoptive father like him doesn’t take sons lightly. Don’t reject his kindness—say yes!”

Zheng Chuan stayed silent,

but the derision in his eyes was evident: *Could this idiot really turn it down?*

*One word, ’Father,’ and he’d save thirty years of struggle. He half-hoped Chen Jie would be the kind of fool who would declare,*

*’My destiny relies solely on my own efforts. How can a man of integrity bow to another? I, Chen Jiusi, would never stoop to such folly!’*

*If he did, Zheng Chuan would genuinely set off fireworks in celebration.*

*And he’d leverage his connections to crush Chen Jie completely.*

*After all, his brother-in-law didn’t die so easily.*

*He wouldn’t even have to intervene directly. Gu Qingfeng, mourning his disciple-nephew’s death, would surely feel outraged.*

*Upon realizing Chen Jiusi lacked Peng Shizhong’s protection, Gu Qingfeng would likely step in to snuff him out personally.*

*Calling someone ’Father’ represents what? The shelter of a stronghold. Authority and wealth in abundance!*

*Chen Jiusi, please, please be a fool. Don’t agree to it!*

Certainly, Chen Jie understood all of this. He listened to everyone’s persuasions, then stood up solemnly, bowing respectfully to Peng Shizhong before speaking: ”Sect Master, your willingness to accept Jiu Si as an adoptive son is a blessing earned over eight lifetimes. Yet, Jiu Si feels timid, fearing his shallow talents might shame you, hence his hesitation.”

”However, after hearing my mentor, Uncle Zhong, and Brother Feng urge me just now, Jiu Si understands your heartfelt intentions. If Sect Master does not disdain or reject me for my shortcomings, then I am willing to honor you as my adoptive father, with no regrets for life!”

Peng Shizhong burst into hearty laughter after hearing this: ”Hahaha... Excellent, excellent, Jiu Si. I will take you as my adoptive son. Once we leave here, bring your family and come with me to the county.”

”We’ll hold a ceremony then to formalize our father-son relationship, and introduce you to the brothers of White Tiger Hall and the other Fishing Guild sects as their Young Manager!”

Hearing this, Chen Jie cupped his hands promptly: ”I will obey Sect Master’s arrangements.”

”Still calling me Sect Master?”

”Father.”

Peng Shizhong gave Chen Jie an approving look: ”Hmm, not bad. Go back and pack tonight. After we finish tomorrow’s major task, you’ll come with me to the county and we’ll formalize everything!”

With that, Peng Shizhong raised his wine cup, laughing loudly: ”Come now, everyone, down this cup. Today, I, Peng Shizhong, accept Jiu Si, this Qilin’er, as my adoptive son. I’m thrilled—let’s drink till we drop!”

”To Sect Master!”

The crowd raised their glasses, their gazes toward Chen Jie transformed.

*When they first entered the tavern, Jiu Si had seemed a hero. Heroes garner respect, but they don’t have the power to command or lead.*

*Position-wise, even the ship captains ranked above him.*

*Now, things were different. As Peng Shizhong’s adoptive son, Jiu Si was the Young Manager of White Tiger Hall—a legitimate middle officer, at the small big-shot level.*

*He now held real authority.*

*The Fishing Guild disciples felt conflicted—among them, envy, jealousy, and resentment brewed.*

*But some things can’t be envied. And Chen Jiusi undeniably had the ability, so their glances turned to admiration.*

*From this moment on, the gap between Chen Jiusi and them widened.*

*While they’d waste away in this small town, Chen Jie would move to the county. From now on, the sky was vast for the bird to soar, and the ocean wide for the fish to swim—he would ascend beyond their reach.*

*Sometimes, life-changing opportunities come just like that.*

Peng Shizhong was elated; he truly liked Chen Jie.

*Some people make a lasting impression from a single glance, while others, despite a lifetime of acquaintance, never shed mutual caution.*

*It’s a matter of inherent chemistry.*

”Come now, toast Brother Jiu Si!”

Peng Shizhong downed a few more glasses before stepping out with Bai Wenjing. For a big figure like him, lingering too long would stifle his subordinates.

Once he left, the atmosphere loosened up. Many approached Chen Jie to offer toasts.

Their address changed as well, shifting from ”Brother Jiu Si” to ”Brother Jiu Si” with added reverence!

Fishing Guild disciples, including the Third and Fourth Captains, all came forward to drink with him.

Chen Jie reciprocated, exchanging cups and building rapport.

The Third Captain, looking at Chen Jie deferentially, said, ”Brother Jiu Si, soon we will be your little brothers. When you succeed in the county, don’t forget us brothers in Xiantao Town.”

”Yes, Brother Jiu Si. Should you rise to wealth and status, don’t forsake us—help lift us along.”

”Brother Jiu Si, please remember to look after us in the future. I’ll finish this cup in one go—you drink at your leisure...”

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