One-Eyed Monster

Kuyi Tulan and Scholar Manjia exchanged desultory words, completely ignoring Elder Rostellum and his group. The scene was rather nauseating.

However, even though they were disgusted, Elder Rostellum and his men didn’t dare show their anger. The oppressive Spirit Power emanating from them was overwhelming, potent enough to feel as if it could devour a person whole.

Elder Rostellum and his group stood there, hardly daring to breathe. Although they couldn’t understand what Kuyi Tulan and the Hunchbacked Elder were discussing, they could vaguely sense the tense atmosphere that often precedes the revelation of a significant secret.

Kuyi Tulan and the Hunchbacked Elder ignored them, casually discussing various matters. It seemed they didn’t particularly care if this so-called secret was leaked.

But then again, even if those down the mountain learned these secrets, what use would it be? By the time they spread the information, it would no longer be a secret.

Join the struggle for the secret? That was unrealistic. Rostellum and his group couldn’t even handle the brutal Treasure Hunters. How could they decipher a code they didn’t understand, especially when they lacked the will to deal with these chaotic scenes—not quite riots, not quite conflicts?

Let’s not even mention that band of Treasure Hunters. They were mostly idle, resentful scoundrels. Even if they coveted the secret, they were willing but ultimately powerless.

The reason was simple: they couldn’t even get up the mountain!

This group was fragmented, each acting for themselves; they had never considered uniting to lay an ambush down the mountain. They were a scattered lot, each scrambling for their own interests, ready to retreat at the slightest hint of armed threat. The only reason they could currently band together for looting and violence was because such chaos benefited them all, and more importantly, they faced no significant threat.

Since none of them posed a credible threat, the Alchemy Workshop largely ignored them. Kuyi Tulan felt nothing towards them, aside from mild annoyance at the clamor these ”ants” produced.

Elder Rostellum found himself in an embarrassing position. All his followers looked up to him as their leader, hoping he could guide them in the right direction. But now, he didn’t know whether to advance or retreat. If he spoke rashly, he feared annoying the Alchemy Workshop; retreating, however, would be a significant loss of face. It was a true dilemma. Rooted to the spot, Elder Rostellum didn’t know what to do; the situation was indeed awkward, especially as Kuyi Tulan and the Hunchbacked Elder continued to ignore them completely.

”Time flies, and I’m getting old. So many things are changing, and I can’t predict where you will end up,” Scholar Manjia sighed, his voice filled with a sense of helplessness.

”Similarly, Scholar Manjia, you can’t stop us from exploring, can you?” Kuyi Tulan’s voice was full of pressure. It might have sounded polite, but the firmness and domineering attitude in his tone were enough to crush anyone.

Rostellum wondered when he, too, might reach Kuyi Tulan’s level of attainment.

The feeling of being ignored wasn’t pleasant, but Elder Rostellum had no power to change the current situation. Other than standing by silently and waiting for the two to finish their conversation, he dared not show any pique.

Fortunately, the dialogue between Kuyi Tulan and Scholar Manjia didn’t last too long.

With Scholar Manjia’s blessing of ”Hao Yun,” Kuyi Tulan also concluded his lengthy reflections. He had gained much in this remote corner over the past few days. He knew there were many things he had to do next, but for now, he had to address the immediate matters.

Kuyi Tulan looked at the Lord Mayor standing before him and pondered.

Actually, he was quite clear about what was happening down the mountain.

As the chief of the Alchemy Workshop—one of the three official organizations recognized across the entire continent—he wasn’t surprised by the events on Guru Mountain. Although he lacked a politician’s foresight, he had ways to deal with conflicts that didn’t quite escalate to the level of riots.

In the face of true power, everything else was insignificant. When one’s strength was sufficient, lesser things became irrelevant. A man does not fear an ant, and for a similar reason, Kuyi Tulan had kept his doors closed these past days. He now had more important things to consider. The appearance of Scholar Manjia, the Soul Guardian, had revealed to him the secret of Guru Mountain. Now, besides finding his Great Mentor and the other monsters on this mountain, he had a new objective: to contend with Reed, the Dark Wizard, for that secret.

No wonder Scholar Manjia considered their Alchemy Workshop one of the guardians of Guru Mountain.

If such a secret fell into the hands of the Dark Forces, the results would inevitably be disastrous. However, if it fell into *their* hands, the outcome would be entirely different.

At the very least, it would be a grand gift for the King of the Empire...

That was why, without hesitation, he had allowed everyone to ascend the mountain, aiming to obstruct Wizard Reed. He knew Wizard Reed’s strength well. The combined power of the Golden Seats could subdue Reed’s peculiar Dark Arts, but if the monsters accompanying his Great Mentor were to interfere, the situation would become unpredictable.

If the Alchemy Workshop were to clash with those monsters, things would become exceedingly tricky. Thus, he wanted to prevent such an occurrence. The message he’d sent via Mail Bird should have reached Milo by now. With Milo on the scene, he had fewer concerns. Nevertheless, to obtain what he desired sooner, he too had to ascend the mountain.

The harsh winter weather was a trial, but Adventurers with Class were no ordinary folk. They possessed power and could overcome these natural difficulties.

Elder Rostellum was unaware of the many secrets Kuyi Tulan held. Seeing Kuyi Tulan’s gaze turn towards him made him even more nervous.

”My Lord!” Aliusan, at his side, carefully reminded Elder Rostellum that silence at this moment could ruin everything.

”Uh…” Rostellum knew the situation was critical, but after struggling for a long moment, he still didn’t know how to begin.

”I understand your worries, Lord Mayor. There’s no need to fret.” Kuyi Tulan spoke first. Every exploitable resource was a potential stepping stone for his advancement, even a lowly Lord Mayor, to say nothing of those Treasure Hunters.

The plan he intended to set in motion was vast, as was his desire to be the first to unlock Guru Mountain’s secrets.

Kuyi Tulan’s words made Elder Rostellum feel immensely flattered. He felt he hadn’t been entirely abandoned; the Chief was still mindful of him and clearly understood his predicament.

But the crucial thing now is how to solve the immediate problem, how to stop this mob from rampaging…

Yet, Kuyi Tulan didn’t seem to continue along the lines Elder Rostellum had hoped. His next words left Elder Rostellum utterly perplexed.

”After I go up the mountain, I hope you, Lord Mayor, will look after Scholar Manjia properly. There must be no negligence whatsoever!”

What in the world is he talking about? If he goes up the mountain, won’t these thugs be free to attack the Gold Room next to the Lubin Tavern?

This is unacceptable! Elder Rostellum felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.