One-Eyed Monster

This mask left the people in the carriage feeling quite uneasy, unsure of what to believe.

Was their understanding flawed, or were they still caught in a deception?

Nobody could say for sure, and nobody dared to assert otherwise.

The only one who remained pure and happy amid this confusion was Igor.

From this, it is clear that keeping things simple is better. Overthinking leads to arrogance and ignorance, much like Hustace and the others now.

Though Hustace had read many books and had vast knowledge, he still made the wrong judgment.

His heart was a mixture of emotions, and he even felt he couldn’t face his brother Perkins. He couldn’t tell if he had wronged Perkins or if he was simply too arrogant, but he knew he was wrong.

As for why he was wrong, he was unclear—was it from knowing too little, or lacking experience?

Not knowing anything, Hustace felt quite uncomfortable, unsure of what to do.

He felt he couldn’t even talk to Perkins, as he was simply too embarrassed.

Perkins, on the other hand, seemed indifferent, happily chatting around, mainly due to Igor’s incessant questioning.

”Haha, let me tell you, I went through a lot to get this mask. The Vero people are always so cunning, and it nearly drained my mental energy,” Perkins said, eager to share his experience. His casual recounting often led listeners to think he was a liar.

Since many of his experiences were rare, yet he described them as if they were mundane, listeners often found it perplexing.

This perplexity usually fell into two categories: like Igor, who didn’t understand and kept asking questions.

The other, more common type, was people who believed they understood everything, like Hustace, who saw flaws in others’ stories.

But many things are simple by nature, yet people tend to complicate them.

Everyone is concealing their ignorance with arrogance.

The more someone clamors, the more panic they feel inside; the more the bottle shakes, the more empty it is inside.

Hustace now felt he couldn’t absorb anything, unable to face even his own brother...

”Did you really win this mask by dining with the Tree Spirit?” Only Igor was engrossed, completely immersed in Perkins’ descriptions.

”Yes, at that time I wandered into the forest and entered the Tree Spirits’ territory. If not for my quick wits, I might have been crushed by them,” Perkins responded.

”But don’t Tree Spirits draw power from the Natural Force? What do they eat?” Igor asked curiously.

”That’s for the adult Tree Spirits. Most young Tree Spirits wrap themselves around trees, feeding on leaves and fruits,” Perkins explained.

”Uh...” This answer sent Igor into a bout of fantasy. Never having seen these things, his curiosity was piqued, and he continued to imagine the scenes.

Due to Igor’s questions, Perkins’ narrative became fragmented, with him constantly switching explanations for the different aspects Igor brought up.

Perkins found himself unsure of what he wanted to convey.

However, Perkins realized that his sole attentive audience was Igor; everyone else was lost in their thoughts.

Thus, he considered his storytelling a failure. He wanted more people to hear his tales, yet pondered how to achieve this.

Perkins didn’t mind being seen as deceitful, believing that those who doubted him would eventually live through such experiences and realize he spoke the truth.

Therefore, he wasn’t bothered by Hustace’s skepticism, as he often encountered it.

Many times, authorities detained him simply because they thought he was deceiving them...

Yet, Perkins always seemed fortunate, managing to escape danger.

Rubbing his nose, Perkins tried to recall what he intended to say before being interrupted, struggling with his memory, questioning if age was muddling it.

Igor deliberated and realized he had been overly verbose, noticing how many things weren’t as he perceived, causing unnecessary worry. For instance, what began as Perkins talking about the Apothecarist veered off-course, leaving Igor puzzled by the changes.

Unable to fathom or pinpoint why Perkins had stopped discussing these matters.

Perkins had simply forgotten, lost in his own thoughts.

Blame Hustace for disrupting Perkins and Igor’s conversation, plunging them into chaos...

Nonetheless, some matters could still be recollected, only needing a topic to reopen the discussion.

As each person focused on their thoughts, their minds weren’t aligned.

Hustace was self-conscious, Igor was frustrated, Stan Sol remained contemplative, Nakasha was anxious, and Perkins was at a loss... The carriage fell silent, the only sound being Qi Liu’s steady driving; her skill unmatched.

”What was I just about to say? Can anyone remind me?” Perkins, feeling his mind overwhelmed, sought help.

Igor looked up, surprised Perkins forgot, despite them being the only ones seriously engaged in the topic; others’ reactions didn’t matter to Igor.

”Senior, you were talking about the Apothecarist.” Igor quickly picked up, eager to resolve his previous dilemma regarding the topic.

Clearly, the best way to solve problems is through communication, preferably face-to-face with verbal exchange.

Now, Perkins and Igor clearly knew they were to discuss the Apothecarist next.