One-Eyed Monster

Although Kuyi Tulan suspected a connection between Wizard Reed and Mayor Babasha’s death, he had no evidence and, therefore, couldn’t apprehend Wizard Reed just yet.

He had hoped to gain some insight into the Black Crow’s plans for Guru Mountain through this incident. However, Wizard Reed remained tight-lipped and gave no indication of his intentions.

”It was an accident,” Wizard Reed repeated several times.

To others, this might have sounded like a lame excuse, but Kuyi Tulan heard a different intent.

On the surface, Reed seemed to be declaring his innocence in Mayor Babasha’s death. However, a deeper meaning suggested that he hadn’t intended for things to turn out this way—that this outcome was completely unexpected.

In a way, this substantiated the connection between Wizard Reed and Mayor Babasha’s death.

However, only someone like Kuyi Tulan could discern such hidden implications.

Since Reed has tacitly admitted it, he’s bound to slip up eventually. I refuse to believe my grand Alchemy Workshop can’t track the movements of this Dark Wizard! Kuyi Tulan still harbored a trace of indignation.

Although he still brooded over it, Kuyi Tulan found he couldn’t do much about Reed. Firstly, his own strength had not yet reached the point where he could completely subdue Wizard Reed. No one knew what spells Wizard Reed, a practitioner of the Dark Arts, had mastered, or the true extent of his power. Dark Arts were inherently Forbidden Spells, so few people understood them; they were shrouded in mystery. Researching these arts was a pursuit of desperadoes, those willing to sacrifice their own various tolerances and make their bodies unduly sensitive to various natural forces, rather than abandon their pursuit of the Dark Force. Some of these desperadoes even lost their lives prematurely on their path of exploration.

Kuyi Tulan had some understanding of these aspects of the Dark Arts because he himself had once attempted to venture into this forbidden domain. However, after several attempts, he realized that the losses outweighed the gains and dutifully retreated from that path.

Everyone loves gold coins, but the means to obtain them must align with one’s status. Not all methods of acquiring gold coins are acceptable to oneself.

When Kuyi Tulan was a child, his master had taught him this. Although his master was a blacksmith his entire life, he had left a profound impression on him.

Having failed to gather any information, Kuyi Tulan staggered to the tavern’s main hall with a bottle of wine, where Witch Bigas was waiting for him.

Milo stood guard nearby, wary that this arrogant six-power Sage might suddenly start making trouble.

”He said it was an accident.” Kuyi Tulan spread his hands, expressing his helplessness.

”I told you, that kind of person isn’t worth talking to. Yet, you actually reached some sort of agreement with him. It’s truly a disgrace to the Alchemy Workshop’s reputation,” Witch Bigas stated haughtily, without even glancing at Kuyi Tulan.

Kuyi Tulan shrugged, unfazed.

”You say we are not enemies,” Bigas continued, her tone still haughty, ”but I don’t think you qualify to be my ally. You don’t even understand the most basic things. You’re not qualified to speak with me.”

”You...” Milo started to speak but was cut off by a gesture from Kuyi Tulan.

”I know the Wizard Alliance is powerful, with all six natural forces masterfully controlled by you. I admit that no one on the entire continent can contend with you,” Kuyi Tulan said as he poured a drink. The murky liquid swirled down into the porcelain cup, evoking the image of a hopeless person inexorably sinking into a vast sea of humanity.

”The only reason I’m even speaking with you is because I see that much in you. Compared to those shameless Adventurers with Class, you at least know your place.”

”Knowing my place might be an overstatement; I’m merely stating facts. Your Wizard Alliance may control the Natural Force, but you don’t control the entire world. Facts have proven that while the Natural Force is powerful, it isn’t omnipotent. For instance, when it comes to taking a life unnoticed, Wizards are inferior to Hunters, and even inferior to...” Kuyi Tulan deliberately gestured upstairs, clearly alluding to Wizard Reed for Witch Bigas.

”Hmph! Someone spurned by the Wizard Alliance—what skills could he possibly possess? You Alchemists are as timid as mice, yet you concoct something like Battle Alchemy. Utterly useless!”

Bigas’s words made Milo, who was standing nearby, grit his teeth.

Kuyi Tulan wasn’t angry. He smiled faintly. ”We’re just a bunch of small-timers, never likely to grace the stage of history. For example, during the National Defense War, our Alchemy Workshop merely managed to repel the ferocious Mountain Monsters of the Mantai Empire. As for the Wizard Alliance, when you fled—no, retreated—it was as if you’d lost your souls; you were so terrified you scared the Dwarves of Mantai to death.”

”You... If you dare say that again, I guarantee you won’t live to see tomorrow!” It seemed Kuyi Tulan’s statement had touched upon some of Bigas’s past events she preferred not to recall.

”Rest assured, I won’t say it again. I’m someone who always looks forward,” Kuyi Tulan said slowly, taking a sip of his wine.

”Are you here in connection with that spurned individual upstairs?” Bigas asked Kuyi Tulan very casually.

”Not entirely. It’s just that Wizard Reed sold us a piece of intelligence, and this intelligence happened to be what I wanted. Because of this intelligence, we appeared here.”

”Another shortcut to power?” Witch Bigas said scornfully. In her view, people who studied Dark Arts were all unlearned opportunists constantly seeking to achieve success overnight.

”Indeed, some who pursue Dark Arts are merely failures looking for shortcuts. However, Dark Arts are not as you imagine. Just like the things we research, Dark Arts also adhere to the principle of Equivalent Exchange.” Kuyi Tulan held no prejudice against Dark Arts. To some extent, this Chief Alchemist even greatly admired those who researched Dark Arts. His ability to become old friends with Wizard Reed was also forged during the time he spent studying Dark Arts.

”Regarding that dark stuff, I understand it better than you do. You don’t need to put on airs in front of me.” Witch Bigas was dismissive of Kuyi Tulan’s account.

”You’re right. Before a Sage like yourself, I’m just a common person, and common people can’t help but posture a little. Posturing often brings me unexpected benefits. For instance, the information Wizard Reed sold us this time is not only related to our mentor but also to Simon the Knight, you know.” Kuyi Tulan shrugged; faced with this insufferably arrogant, prominent Witch, shrugging was all he could do.

”What did you say?!” Bigas was clearly taken aback by Kuyi Tulan’s last remark.

”Uh, I don’t quite recall what Simon the Knight sought me out for back then. I believe it was... to find a shortcut, perhaps?” Kuyi Tulan began his sarcastic taunts; dealing with Bigas required such underhanded tactics.

”Simon! Hmph! Wasn’t he ruined by you scoundrels? There’s no one more harmful than people like you!”

”Now, that’s not entirely fair. They were all willing, after all.” Kuyi Tulan propped his feet up on the table.

”So, you have news of him this time?” Bigas pressed on.

”Hehe, of course, we do. But everything operates on Equivalent Exchange. You’ll have to answer a few of my questions first.” Kuyi Tulan lowered his feet from the table and looked at Bigas seriously.