One-Eyed Monster

”If that’s the case, then we have nothing to worry about.” Kuyi Tulan’s reaction was unexpected to Elder Rostellum.

Elder Rostellum had expected his report to make Kuyi Tulan tense, considering how many people from the Alchemy Workshop were on a mission in the mountains.

But now the Chief Alchemist said there was nothing to worry about. Wasn’t this completely contrary to what Elder Rostellum had anticipated?

Wouldn’t this threaten his position as the Governor of Gaga County? No, he had to consider this carefully. He couldn’t allow such a thing to happen.

”Sir, how can we not worry!” Elder Rostellum didn’t need to feign surprise; he was genuinely shocked. ”We still have many people on the mountain; we can’t just ignore them.”

”I mentioned before that I admire the Sound Sensing Skill of you Politicians.” Kuyi Tulan slowly rose from his chair, twisted his neck, and stretched lazily. ”Your Sound Sensing Skill can predict the course of events and allow you to plan your next move. Am I right?”

Faced with Kuyi Tulan’s intense gaze, Elder Rostellum didn’t know what to say. He sensed an eerie feeling, as if someone had suddenly seen through all his thoughts, leaving him nowhere to hide. At that moment, he didn’t know whether to agree or disagree, so he just stood there, stammering.

”About the Sound Sensing Skill, perhaps I’m mistaken. However, I still believe you’re here for a reason other than the one you stated. Am I correct?” Kuyi Tulan pressed on, and after he said this, Elder Rostellum had no way to retreat.

”Well...” Even though stuttering could buy time, in a way, it was practically a tacit admission.

”Alright, I believe I understand what you mean by ’Deep Winter Slumber’. You need not worry about that, nor about your position, Governor Rostellum.” Kuyi Tulan slowly walked back. He emphasized the words ’Governor Rostellum’ so heavily that it completely exposed the little scheme Elder Rostellum had been concocting in his mind.

”I...” For the first time, Elder Rostellum felt true fear. This was his initial reaction to being completely seen through.

”You should know that you’re one of the few who can enter this pub.” Kuyi Tulan patted Elder Rostellum’s shoulder. The pat was not hard, but Elder Rostellum couldn’t help but sway a few times.

”I-It is my honor.” Elder Rostellum hadn’t forgotten who he was speaking with and instinctively reacted as a Politician should.

”Do you know the greatest contribution we Alchemists make to the world?” Kuyi Tulan abruptly changed the topic, seeming poised to launch another verbal assault on Elder Rostellum.

”This humble one is ignorant. I am merely a minor county governor and find it difficult to comprehend the thoughts of esteemed individuals such as yourself.” Elder Rostellum wished he could find a hole to crawl into. He had intended to divert Kuyi Tulan’s attention, but not only had his plan failed, he had been drawn into Kuyi Tulan’s line of reasoning instead.

”You Politicians always speak so indirectly, making simple matters exceedingly complicated. I asked a simple question, yet you still can’t give me an answer?” Kuyi Tulan’s aggressive questioning left Elder Rostellum in a bind.

”Then allow this humble one to venture a guess. This humble one believes that Alchemists have brought wealth to this world. The most crucial aspect of this wealth is creation. Alchemists have created many things for this world that leave us astounded.” Elder Rostellum was, after all, a Politician; answering questions was something that hardly stumped him.

”That is the view of most people. And it is precisely you Politicians, along with those Scholars who can discern people’s secrets, who guide the opinions of the majority,” Kuyi Tulan sounded as if he were lamenting, which greatly puzzled Elder Rostellum. Why would the Chief Alchemist of the Alchemy Workshop discuss such matters with him when he seemingly had nothing better to do?

”You are correct, Sir. This humble one hails from a remote place. Much of what I say is just casual talk; you mustn’t take it seriously.”

”No, you spoke very well. But that is not the greatest contribution of Alchemists. Or, to put it another way, that is not where Alchemists’ greatest strength lies.”

”Oh? This humble one is all ears.” Elder Rostellum had truly been led astray by Kuyi Tulan; he had actually become interested in the topic and was now listening with utmost respect, his ears pricked.

”For Alchemists, the most important contribution is not creation at all. The Alchemy Equations are there; any alchemy apprentice can use an Alchemy Equation to create something new. However, for an Alchemy Equation—that thing—to appear, it takes a very long time.”

”So, the greatness of Alchemists lies not in creating substances, but in creating equations?” Elder Rostellum was skeptical, yet he couldn’t deny that his train of thought was now completely following Kuyi Tulan’s.

”Most Alchemy Equations are discovered.”

Kuyi Tulan’s answer left Elder Rostellum feeling a bit dizzy. It was truly the first time he had ever heard that Alchemy Equations were not created, but discovered.

”Not just Alchemy Equations; various substances, all sorts of new experiments—these are all discovered.” Kuyi Tulan patted Elder Rostellum’s shoulder again, seemingly to help him relax, and perhaps also to tell him that he wasn’t the first person to be shocked by such news.

”Discovered?”

”If you still don’t understand, you can think of this ’thing’ as excavation,” Kuyi Tulan said meaningfully.

”This humble one doesn’t quite understand,” Elder Rostellum readily admitted his own lack of understanding.

”Take a piece of stone, for example. You might think it’s just a stone. But an Alchemist might discover that this stone can be turned into jade. That is the contribution of an Alchemist.”

Kuyi Tulan’s example wasn’t difficult to understand. After thinking it over for a moment, Elder Rostellum realized it was indeed the case. Sometimes, it’s just like that: a stone that people consider worthless might be regarded as a treasure by an Alchemist. That’s the simplest difference.

”So, Alchemists... need to change,” Kuyi Tulan said faintly.

Elder Rostellum nodded quickly, although inwardly he felt that these words had absolutely nothing to do with him.

”I believe you are that stone—the stone that we Alchemists need,” Kuyi Tulan continued.

These words left Elder Rostellum stunned. What did this mean? An invitation, or a threat?

”You can consider it.” Kuyi Tulan returned to the seat he had occupied earlier and poured himself a glass of cheap wine.

”Sir, this humble one truly doesn’t understand. I hope you can enlighten me.” Although Elder Rostellum’s expression remained impassive, his mind was already in a fierce internal struggle.

”My meaning is simple. My team needs people. Would you consider joining my team?” Kuyi Tulan raised his glass and took a sip. ”Consider this an informal invitation from me. Think about it.”

Elder Rostellum froze upon hearing this. He had never expected things to develop in this way. He had originally intended to divert Kuyi Tulan’s attention, but suddenly, he found himself trapped in a quagmire.