One-Eyed Monster

”I am honored that you hold me in such high regard, but I fear my abilities, experience, and status are far too inferior to fulfill your expectations…” Elder Rostellum said, struggling to keep himself composed. He was at a complete loss, uttering words that sounded noble—a reflexive response from the Politician within him.

Everything happened so suddenly. He was utterly unprepared—unprepared in thought, unprepared emotionally, unprepared in every aspect. In his heart, he yearned to remain the peaceful governor of Gaga County, but reality proved otherwise.

Kuyi Tulan’s informal invitation was like a sharp sword swiftly thrust toward him, catching Elder Rostellum completely off guard. At that moment, he couldn’t decipher whether he should be elated or sorrowful.

”I have said it before: our greatest strength as Alchemists lies in our aptitude for exploration and discovery. I believe that you are an extraordinary stone. Now, all you need to do is contemplate whether you choose to be that stone.”

Kuyi Tulan slowly savored the wine in his hand, pondering other matters, not bothering to give Elder Rostellum another glance.

Kuyi Tulan tossed the question back to Rostellum, clearly intending for him to make his own choice.

”But sir, I am still uncertain…” At this moment, Elder Rostellum was utterly sincere, no longer able to conceal his true thoughts and feelings in front of Kuyi Tulan.

”As a Politician, your Sound Sensing Skill should reveal the pertinent facts. Don’t you understand that?”

”I’m not sure. I don’t know what you’re referring to.” Elder Rostellum’s Sound Sensing Skill was certainly not as remarkable as Kuyi Tulan claimed.

The skill could vaguely discern a few ordinary things but hadn’t reached the level where it could foresee his own future.

”The world is a simple place, but you people always complicate matters, leaving yourselves forever shrouded in mist.” Kuyi Tulan began delivering a series of profound truths, seemingly attempting to convince Elder Rostellum with these principles.

Nevertheless, Elder Rostellum wasn’t easily persuaded. He was in emotional turmoil, but as a Politician, he couldn’t reveal his true feelings. Hence, he maintained his composure, silently weighing his thoughts.

Being favored by the Imperial Alchemy Workshop left Rostellum feeling both flattered and stunned. What could he possibly do after leaving Gaga County, though? This was a matter worthy of serious consideration. He wasn’t after fame; he only desired stability and those gleaming, golden things. He doubted he could cope with the fast-paced environment of the Alchemy Workshop. Yet, he couldn’t outrightly refuse the tempting offer, especially considering the Alchemy Workshop’s ability to seemingly conjure gold out of thin air.

”We Alchemists observe the essence of things. What we see is complex, but our thoughts are simple. What you see is what you get. We don’t beat around the bush or embellish. That is the significant difference between Alchemists and the rest of you.” Kuyi Tulan continued to preach his philosophy, completely ignoring Rostellum’s expression. Of course, even if he had been observing Rostellum closely, he wouldn’t have discerned anything. After all, Elder Rostellum was a seasoned Politician, well-practiced at concealing his emotions.

”But sir, I still believe I lack the necessary skills. Joining the Alchemy Workshop is a significant decision; perhaps I need more time to consider it. After all, I am a Politician…” Elder Rostellum feigned incoherence intentionally. Although his heart was pounding with excitement, he remained prudent. He knew he couldn’t outrightly reject Kuyi Tulan, not after the lengthy discourse the Alchemist had delivered with the sole purpose of recruiting him. Even if he didn’t wish to join, he couldn’t reveal that immediately.

Deep down, Elder Rostellum was anticipating something else. This anticipation was the primary reason for his deliberation. Once that thin veil—that window paper—was pierced, Rostellum would willingly become that stone, no matter how ugly it might appear.

”My team isn’t just the Alchemy Workshop. We need many people right now—be they Politicians, Hunters, Alchemists, or Scholars. I will earnestly invite anyone who can contribute to my team. If I discover a stone that can be turned into jade, I absolutely will not let it pass me by.” Kuyi Tulan took another sip of his wine, glanced at Rostellum, and then made his invitation once more.

”But, my humble self…” Rostellum exhibited hesitation. This was the kind of hesitation that would lead many to believe he had already made a decision but was, for some reason, unable to act on it.

”I know you. I understand you, Governor Rostellum!” Kuyi Tulan rose from his seat again. ”Although I cannot see through a person like a Scholar, perceiving all their secrets with complete transparency, I can still see clearly what you need and what you don’t.”

”This humble one…”

”You’ve always been fond of this, haven’t you?” The cup in Kuyi Tulan’s hand suddenly turned to gold, radiating a brilliant, yellow gleam.

This brilliant gleam nearly made Elder Rostellum’s eyes bulge out. Indeed, this was what he desired most, and the more of it, the merrier!

This gleaming, golden object was also that ’window paper’ in Rostellum’s heart.

”Rest assured, I will give you what you want.” A smirk touched Kuyi Tulan’s lips. Even though Rostellum’s expression showed no change, Kuyi Tulan could still perceive the subtle shifts within this Politician.

When an Alchemist discovers a stone that can become jade, the usual practice is to take it away directly. However, people are not stones; you can’t just take them as you wish. There must be a corresponding exchange.

”This…” Elder Rostellum’s heart was already conquered. He wouldn’t feel embarrassed by this weakness of his, but he still wanted to feign a moment more of hesitation.

”Your purpose in coming here today wasn’t really to report on the Deep Winter Slumber, was it?” Kuyi Tulan’s incisive gaze once again pierced through Elder Rostellum’s facade.

”Your insight is as sharp as a torch, sir. This humble one wouldn’t dare be remiss, but my earnest efforts…” Rostellum began, the words flowing easily. Dealing with such matters had become second nature to him; he had long since learned to set his dignity aside.

”I know what you were after,” Kuyi Tulan stated assertively. ”Your men discovered Scholar Manjia. It was also your men who found out about people selling Death Stones from the mountain. And it was your men, again, who found the two guides.”

Listening to Kuyi Tulan speak of these seemingly unrelated matters, Elder Rostellum considered them trivial. Although these issues had troubled him at the time, resolving them hadn’t required much effort on his part.

”These minor matters, however, are greatly interconnected. Scholar Manjia provided me with some information about this mountain, so even now, in the depths of winter, I’m not worried about those few people on it. I know the situation up there. The incidents involving the sale of Death Stones informed me of the Black Crow’s movements. And those two guides were precisely the people I needed. The things you did, while seemingly unrelated, are actually significantly connected. This is how you, this stone, differ from others.”

Kuyi Tulan’s words caused a flicker of surprise in Elder Rostellum.

”I’m definitely taking this stone of yours, so don’t bother hesitating any longer.” Kuyi Tulan whispered into Elder Rostellum’s ear, then casually pressed a piece of gold into Rostellum’s lap.

Rostellum clutched the gold tightly, his heart pounding wildly in his chest.

”Now, you should go get something to eat.” Kuyi Tulan returned to his original seat. ”Because there’s a long road ahead. If you don’t eat something, you won’t last.”