Extraordinary Realm from Persuasion System

Upon hearing Jimmy’s description, Zhang Beixing tapped his index finger rhythmically on the sofa as he pondered.

According to Jimmy, the thing appearing this time is completely different from before; not only is it not humanoid, but it also has enemy-enticement thinking, unlike the previous walking corpses.

The key is its substantial increase in strength, capable of repelling even a Half-Step Grandmaster with a single palm. It seems at least at the Great Grandmaster Level; if such strength can be easily produced, it could be quite troublesome.

”Alright, I have a rough understanding of the situation.

I will stay here for the next few days. When the creature appears again, I will personally confront it.”

Upon hearing Zhang Beixing’s words, the White family was the most excited; White stood up immediately.

”That’s wonderful, Minister Zhang, having you here puts my mind at ease much more, perhaps I can get a good night’s sleep tonight.”

Although White’s wife and two sons weren’t as excited as White, the joy was evident between their brows.

”Mr. Steward, clean the two largest rooms for Mr. Richard and Minister Zhang to settle in.”

Following White’s instructions, the steward slightly bowed.

”I have already instructed someone to clean them, Minister Zhang, Mr. Richard, please follow me.”

Led by the steward, Zhang Beixing and Richard reached the second level of the palace, as the steward introduced along the way:

”The view and construction on the second level of rooms here are the best; usually, only the Alba Clan’s own members can use it. The third level is for servants’ quarters and guest rooms.

Your rooms are next to Mr. and Mrs. White’s, further inside are the three young masters’ rooms.”

Zhang Beixing nodded; he wasn’t very interested in the palace’s layout, as he most likely wouldn’t sleep here, given Jimmy’s implication that this creature tends to be extremely active at night.

As for Richard, he cared even less; the Alba Clan simply doesn’t match up to the Federation Clan, and the residential environment seemed nothing new to him.

Zhang Beixing and Richard entered their respective rooms, Zhang Beixing glanced around; unlike the luxurious exterior, the decoration inside the room was relatively softer.

Zhang Beixing pulled the chair back and sat down, gazing at the beige walls, sinking into contemplation.

There was still quite some time until evening; based on past experiences, the creature is unlikely to appear at this moment.

Being at Half-Step Extraordinary for quite some time, it’s time to think of any method to further move into the Transcendent ranks.

Lately, Zhang Beixing felt that there’s more to reaching Transcendent than simply adding points; there’s something missing, yet he couldn’t pinpoint what.

Amid such contemplation, Zhang Beixing faintly sensed he grasped some clue, but couldn’t articulate it, as amidst such vagueness, many insights from Heaven and Earth Natural Technique cleared up.

However, this feeling didn’t last long, interrupted by a commotion outside the door.

”Where are you going at this time?”

A male voice’s questioning reached Zhang Beixing’s ears; from the sound, it should be White.

Soon after, a low, somewhat muffled male voice sounded.

”It’s none of your business; you never wanted to care anyway!”

”You!”

With a slam of the door, the argument abruptly ended; the sound of slow footsteps echoed.

No perceptual checks were needed for Zhang Beixing to guess; it was the unruly-looking man standing on the second level earlier.

Because only he could walk with such a unique footstep sound.

Still, with things as tense as they were, it was quite odd for him to have the mood to go out.

...

In the evening, it seemed White heeded Zhang Beixing’s advice and didn’t hold the so-called welcome banquet.

In fact, Zhang Beixing hadn’t seen many strangers in the manor all afternoon, barring just a few housekeeping servants.

”Mr. Zhang, dinner is ready.”

A respectfully toned voice from the steward reached Zhang Beixing at the room entrance.

Zhang Beixing opened the door, the steward still slightly bowed; at this time, Richard stood by the steward’s side.

The two followed the steward, turning again to another side of the first floor, a room slightly larger than the afternoon’s drawing-room.

A long table adorned in the middle with silver candlesticks added to the atmosphere.

However, the tableware wasn’t set much, only about six or seven sets, making the table seem somewhat sparse.

At the table, White, the lady seen that afternoon, and two brown-haired young men sat poised, evidently waiting for Zhang Beixing and Richard’s arrival.

With Zhang Beixing seated, White maintained his humble, restrained smile.

”Minister Zhang, sensing you’re a low-key person, I didn’t organize a banquet, as for the others, I’ve had them stay in their rooms, not to come out unnecessarily.”

Such deliberate accommodation might have seemed awkward to Zhang Beixing before, but as his status rose, being catered to become more frequent; Zhang Beixing gradually became accustomed to it, acknowledging White’s remark with a flat nod.

Although there weren’t many diners, the dinner spec remained high.

Following the European-standard banquet etiquette, starting with appetizers through main course and ending with dessert.

The steward brought up short plates one by one, each holding scant soup to count as the soup course.

As the dishes were served, slow footsteps resonated from the doorway, Zhang Beixing didn’t even look up to know it was White’s limping eldest son.

Soon, the limp figure appeared before the table, Zhang Beixing merely glanced at him indifferently.

Regardless of context, tardiness reflects disrespect; although technically in his domain, given Zhang Beixing’s status, the man’s defiant demeanor at the evening with Zhang Beixing not seeking trouble was an act of his magnanimity.

Yet what surprised Zhang Beixing was that the man’s defiant aura seemed to have tempered somewhat since his afternoon outing, even holding a faint smile, not indicating where he ventured.

Noting the audacity in his eldest son at Zhang Beixing’s presence, White disregarded ceremony, rebuking harshly: ”You fool, have I taught you this since childhood, being so rude before guests!”

The lady and White’s other two children looked at the limping man with troubled expressions.

However, the limping man seemed indifferent, lightly chuckling before seating himself at the empty spot.

Seeing his almost teasing manner, White’s rage was stifled by Zhang Beixing’s presence, only able to mutter lowly before grudgingly dealing with the soup in his dish.

Since the limping man joined, the dinner air took a peculiar turn; White sullenly dealt with the meal, the lady and White’s children occasionally glancing at the man.

Only Zhang Beixing and Richard remained unaffected, eating their meals naturally.

Just as the main course portion began, Zhang Beixing finally noticed a steak before him worthy of a few bites; the knife and fork met the steak just as...

The outside rang with hurried footsteps, a brown-skinned servant dashed in distraught.

”Bad news, bad news! The mercenaries outside reported that creature, the creature’s coming again.”

Such news startled White, the lady, and the children alike; fear unmistakably flickered in their eyes.

White was momentarily flustered before looking towards Zhang Beixing.

”Minister Zhang, Minister Zhang, save us! The mercenaries are almost done for, Jimmy is wounded too.”

”If only you could save us, you’d be the benefactor of the Alba Clan; we would be your most loyal followers.”

Zhang Beixing sighed, stuffing a piece of steak into his mouth, chewing a few times before quickly swallowing.

”Save the steak for me; I’ll go take a look.”