One-Eyed Monster

Scholar Manjia was brought into the room, where Elder Rostellum sat uncomfortably across from the Hunchbacked Elder.

”You must be torn inside,” Scholar Manjia began casually, unconcerned about his own capture. As a Soul Guardian, he had always been prepared for any eventuality, and now, he felt somewhat relieved.

Just as Kuyi Tulan had said, the secret of Guru Mountain falling into the hands of the Empire was preferable to it falling into others’ hands. Although as a scholar, he could predict the near future based on various factors, these futures were only conditional conjectures, not certainties, but they held a certain degree of possibility. If there was a fifty percent chance of something, he, as a true scholar, would draw a conclusion. Many lesser scholars made their living relying on such minimal probabilities, and Scholar Manjia looked down on these half-baked practitioners.

The remote region of Guru Mountain held no particular attractions, yet Scholar Manjia was willing to guard it. His fate seemed tied to this mountain, and the myriad complications involved were not something that could be explained in a few words.

Scholar Manjia sighed. He had never imagined things could have progressed to this point. Over the years, he had lived in seclusion at the foot of this mountain, constantly working on his predictions. No matter how he calculated, it seemed the secret of Guru Mountain could not be kept. Moreover, each calculation yielded a probability greater than fifty percent.

This conclusion was not good news for the Soul Guardians. What they had struggled to guard was about to be unearthed, which signified a failure on their part.

Scholar Manjia pondered Estev, a man who would do anything to protect his mission. This predicted outcome was unfair to Estev—one might even call it a failure. Yet, even after learning of this prediction, Estev had not hesitated to ascend the mountain…

Thinking now of Estev’s determination, Scholar Manjia felt a stir of emotion.

The changing world has gradually left people like us behind, and organizations like the Soul Guardians are on the verge of disintegration. The only thing binding us, Soul Guardians with such disparate views, is the secret we guard. These guarded secrets, big and small, are coveted by all sorts of people. All these years, our organization has diligently protected these secrets, and due to a strict internal secrecy system, we were unaware of the vast extent of our own organization... But none of this matters anymore. The secrets we’ve been guarding are gradually awakening—something no one could have anticipated. What effect this awakening will have, I cannot predict yet, so I cannot draw a conclusion.

Scholar Manjia sighed again. There was much he could not control. All he could do was connect and influence, drawing unrelated elements into this matter. For instance, concerning Guru Mountain, he had drawn the Alchemy Workshop into this affair. Although the secret itself was a powerful lure, he had still informed Kuyi Tulan about its awakening.

Kuyi Tulan’s ambition is something I can never fully fathom. Although I’m able to sense the scale of his ambition, I cannot see where it leads, which makes me hesitant. Yet, the force approaching Guru Mountain is even more abhorrent to me than the Alchemy Workshop. I would rather the Empire’s Alchemy Workshop acquire this power, not the Black Crow of the Dark Forces.

Moreover, I’ve predicted that several other forces are also approaching Guru Mountain. Indeed, no walls are without cracks; soon, the whole world will be drawn to this secret.

Scholar Manjia looked around. It was undeniable that he was under house arrest.

Kuyi Tulan must consider me useful; that’s why he had the Prefect keep a close eye on me. His plan is thorough. I can even perceive that everyone under Guru Mountain has been incorporated into it. This shows that Kuyi Tulan truly utilizes every resource to its fullest potential.

Looking at the Prefect, controlled by the spell, Scholar Manjia sighed. The Alchemy Workshop has completely changed. It’s no longer the Alchemy Workshop of old, which solely focused on material exchange… This sort of control spell should be a Wizard’s technique; why have the Alchemists mastered it too? he wondered.

Elder Rostellum was just as puzzled. His mind was full of questions. The Hunchbacked Elder sitting across from him had fallen silent after his brief statement, seemingly unconcerned by Rostellum’s confusion.

Rostellum’s twisted expression brought Scholar Manjia’s attention back to him.

”Heh, who would have thought you, a novice Politician, could resist this Control Spell.”

Rostellum was baffled. He was unable to respond or even control his expression, but inwardly, he was rebelling. I don’t want this feigned, rigid smile locked on my face! Even though I often wore such an expression when I was free, those times it was under my control and felt different.

”I can feel your pain. You want to speak but cannot; your body is no longer under your control…”

Right now, Rostellum wished he could pick up a stool and hurl it at the Hunchbacked Elder to stop his droning. But since he could not act on his own, he had no choice but to listen to the old man’s incessant talk.

”You are under control; there is no doubt about that. However, you also don’t need to worry about anyone being able to harm your Inner World. While you’re being controlled, you are also under his protection. Wouldn’t knowing this make you feel a bit better?”

Feel better, my foot! Rostellum thought. I’m a Politician; who would dare harm me anyway? Even if my body were injured, I, Rostellum, wouldn’t care about the pain. But my gold! The agony of losing it is more excruciating than death. That’s the source of my anguish…

Scholar Manjia smacked his lips and continued his narration, ”In no time at all, the rioting crowds will disperse of their own accord. They will willingly gather in one place, and then you’ll find everyone here being put to use.”

Rostellum’s agonized heart suddenly shivered. What the Hunchbacked Elder just said... I sensed something similar when I was giving orders to my subordinates earlier.

Elder Rostellum just couldn’t figure it out. How did Kuyi Tulan manage this? And how could the Hunchbacked Elder across from me know all these things...?

”This plan is perfect, and spectacular. Let alone you, even I can hardly wait to see what’s going to happen next!”

Upon hearing this, Elder Rostellum’s turbulent feelings calmed a little. Indeed, just as the Hunchbacked Elder said, my senses as a Politician can perceive the meticulous and flawless nature of this plan. I’m really eager to see what will happen next!