One-Eyed Monster

Naturally born Politicians possess the Sound Sensing Skill from birth, and with training, they will gradually master it to perfection.

After all the hustle and bustle, Qi Liu’s Sound Sensing Skill had reached a certain level. What he should hear, and even what he shouldn’t, always found its way into his ears.

This inherent ability both terrified and comforted him.

He was anxious, fearing that one day he would learn something he shouldn’t and invite unnecessary trouble; yet, he was also unwilling to accept his fate, terrified of missing a single decisive phrase that might prevent him from ending up like his father. This skill left him somewhat dazed, yet also excited, and unknowingly led him on an unknown journey.

The experience in the mountains had matured him considerably. He now understood that the world was not as harsh as he had imagined; sometimes, there was still a glimmer of hope. Although this hope wasn’t enough to ignite the torch to change his fate, it was sufficient to illuminate the path forward.

Qi Liu heard Stan Sol’s indignant voice at that time; his anger almost seemed capable of setting the entire mountain ablaze.

This was a family feud. Even though it was his first time meeting Stan Sol, Qi Liu could deeply feel the tragic stories Stan Sol had experienced. Those stories filled him with waves of sorrow and made him realize that many things couldn’t be judged solely on experience. New things required constant understanding to keep pace with the world. If one couldn’t keep up with the world’s rhythm, individuals would be eliminated, or even entire families. Think about his two brothers who died in battle—wasn’t it because they didn’t keep up with the rhythm that they tragically died on the battlefield? Money was indeed the main reason why his brothers couldn’t afford armor enhanced with Spirit Power, but just imagine, if his two elder brothers had known about Spirit Power in advance, would they still have baselessly believed that fighting on the battlefield could change their fate? No, absolutely not. Non-Adventurers should not step into the world of Adventurers with Class. If his father had known this back then, he wouldn’t have sent his two elder brothers to be cannon fodder. And now, by some twist of fate, I’ve entered this world, and no matter what, I have to keep up the pace.

Qi Liu once thought his background determined his destiny. But after coming to Guru Mountain with Young Master Hustace, he discovered just how fragile his past self truly was. To think he had given up on himself completely without experiencing too many setbacks—what a truly sad state of affairs. At the foot of Guru Mountain, so many people were trying to change their destinies, yet here he was, someone with an enviable ability, wallowing in self-abandonment. This was very abnormal.

What shocked him even more was the bond between Stan Sol and Dastan. It was this bond that made him withdraw his already outstretched hand without hesitation. Although he didn’t know if that Alchemy Servant named Axia had meddled in the situation, it didn’t matter. What mattered was that he had chosen to retract his hand, making the choice he did at that moment. He still remembered what happened at that moment.

Although those people were all strangers to him, the Sound Sensing Skill of a born Politician enabled him to obtain a lot of information from the short exchange of blows among them. The brief words exchanged during their skirmish, like individual musical notes, gradually blended under the influence of the Sound Sensing Skill into a song packed with information.

These songs benefited Qi Liu enormously, enabling him to understand the various possibilities of the world in an instant.

The power of grief and indignation often brings about stirring stories. This is the continuation of a family, as well as an expression of true emotions. Dastan, who left his hometown and became unrecognizable to revive his family, and Stan Sol, the Young Family Leader of the Sol Family, who resolutely decided to confront the entire Alchemy Workshop to avenge his clan members—such courage and insight moved heaven and earth. Dastan had every reason to weep uncontrollably. This was a kind of unyielding devotion, a familial bond where one would never abandon their kin, even if a family member turned into a monster. This was the simplest of sentiments, yet also a great one. Such things are often easy to say but hard to do. Would you still fight for someone familiar who has turned into a monster? Stan Sol is undoubtedly a great Young Family Leader.

Of course, Qi Liu also heard about the fall of the Glorious Seven Knights in this fight. This was probably something many people hadn’t expected. Dastan, as a member of the Glorious Seven Knights, had willingly joined the Alchemy Workshop’s plan. This plan seemed crazy, but the Glorious Seven Knights were resolute. They were the first batch of warriors and also the first batch of victims. Proud victims are always hot-tempered; after these Glorious Seven Knights lost control, they angered the king of the Empire. In his fury, the king abolished their title, and it was subsequently banned. The king’s rage caused the world to lose the title of Glorious Seven Knights forever.

The most significant revelation Qi Liu gleaned from the sounds of that battle was the ambition of the Alchemy Workshop. The Alchemy Workshop was no longer merely a workshop in nature; it had slowly transformed into a combat arm of the Empire. Alchemists, too, were undergoing earth-shattering changes. Present-day Alchemists no longer pursued innovative Exchange Spells but instead emphasized practical combat techniques. Even the Alchemy Workshop had begun to pursue Physique Techniques. This change was enough to reveal the Alchemy Workshop’s ambition. And Milo, who had come to provide reinforcements, further elucidated the terrifying extent of their ambitions. They didn’t just aim to achieve a dominant position within the Empire; they wanted to dominate the entire continent. Their goal was to become an independent power group, controlled by no one.

This was the hidden ambition of the Alchemy Workshop, yet it had been overheard by the ears of a born Politician. This Politician was obscure, still wavering, unsure whether he should ultimately choose to flee or to remain. He heard that there weren’t many good people in this world. Most relationships were built upon mutual interests. It was just that some people were adept at concealing their true intentions, while others made no effort to hide them.

Qi Liu was constantly wondering what kind of person he would become. He chose to follow Stan Sol simply because he wanted to see if that original, intrinsic voice still existed within himself. He had to find out. Would he, in a moment of dire crisis, step forward and sacrifice himself to protect another? Just like Dastan, who had flung himself at Milo without a second thought. Or like that Hunter named Baharo, who had fought side-by-side with Dastan without hesitation. Qi Liu wanted to know; he was desperate to know...

He still remembered Stan Sol releasing the Incomplete Moon—that breathtakingly stunning Incomplete Moon. He had only ever read about it in books from the Yonder Travel Academy. The appearance of that spell had made him hold his breath. It was precisely that spell which had caused Stan Sol to expend a great deal of Spirit Power, leaving him with no ability to resist when Milo launched his attack. But Dastan, bound by their connection, had secured a chance for his Young Family Leader to escape. He used every ounce of his strength for a final leap, a jump that caused the mountainside to sway and show signs of imminent collapse. The collapse would trap everyone. At that moment, they all believed they would be dashed to pieces...