Chapter 00234: The Mist Connoisseur as a Hero
# The Mist Connoisseur as a Hero
Chapter 234
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 234: The Mist Connoisseur as a Hero
"Tsk."
Ji Jue had no words to respond.
After all, he was an old master who had been famous for many years, becoming more cunning with age.
How could a figure of such esteemed rank in the Mystic Depths not have a sharp eye? Just a glance was more accurate than opening a box!
In this situation, at this moment, Ji Jue felt too lazy to resist.
He glanced at the old master’s monocle as the latter lay on the ground, sprawled out like a character from a play: "Just go ahead and kill me!"
"What a waste it would be to kill you."
Jian Yuan said, "Why not put you to good use instead? That could be considered a proper path for the embers."
To be fair, it was indeed true.
For the embers, the Chosen One was a treasure chest full of riches.
For an old master like Jian Yuan, who had leaned toward stagnation and decay, forget about any moral boundaries.
The flesh, bones, and soul were another matter entirely; the talent and innate skill were rare goods, not to mention the limited edition of the non-offensive technique.
If he killed Ji Jue with a single strike, that would be too much of a waste.
Just when Ji Jue was ready to go all out, he saw Jian Yuan wave his hand, and suddenly, a pile of materials came raining down from above, like a deluge, engulfing Ji Jue.
Only his head poked out, looking utterly befuddled.
Jian Yuan pointed at the furnace, saying, "Within the time limit, handle these materials properly."
Handle?
Ji Jue almost laughed in anger: What the hell do you expect me to handle?!
I came here to be a spy, let me die if I must, but you want me to work for you?!
What a joke!
Ji Jue gave a cold snort, "What if I say no?"
Bang!
He was flung backward.
Without warning or indication, in mid-air, the spiritual energy intertwined, creating a circuit that solidified into a nail, piercing through his throat, nailing him to the ground.
And then, it vanished without a trace.
Only a line of fine, cold runes appeared, coiling around his neck.
They restrained both body and soul, shackled the blessings and the array.
In an instant, he was entirely under control.
It felt like a knife was pressed against Ji Jue’s throat, ready to take his life at any moment.
"For so many years, others have called me the Stagnant Furnace. On one hand, it mocks my inability to reach the Heavenly Furnace, and on the other, it acknowledges my genuine skill in teaching according to the materials."
Jian Yuan lowered his gaze, glancing at Ji Jue: "I always have methods for disobedient apprentices."
He asked, "Would you like to give it a try?"
"I surrender!"
Ji Jue raised his hands without hesitation: "The embers are shallow, while your path of stagnation is profound! I abandon the dark for the light and willingly welcome your great favor!"
"But there's just one problem: I can't even stand up right now…"
Tentatively, he asked, "Could you kindly return my walking stick?"
"Are you referring to those two half-finished products?"
Jian Yuan’s smile grew more mocking: "Is that knife even enough for you? Besides, don't you have the non-offensive technique? You can just make a stick yourself."
"Hey, I’m genuinely willing to submit!"
Ji Jue felt a tightness in his heart, his smile becoming increasingly flattering: "Under your watchful eyes, how could a mere ant like me stir up any trouble? There’s no need for such vigilance!"
"Not even going to try to resist?"
Jian Yuan suggested warmly, "Perhaps I like hard bones?"
Ji Jue shook his head decisively: "No way! Good birds choose good trees to rest upon; the Mist Connoisseur is truly a hero! To work as your servant is a blessing I’ve earned over countless lifetimes."
The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, thumping his chest: "I truly like it; I like it so much!"
"Very well, I’m starting to like you too."
Jian Yuan gave him one last look before turning to leave: "Do your best; I look forward to your counterattack."
Go attack your own horse!
Ji Jue rolled his eyes and fell back dramatically.
This was bad! He was exhausted!
The worst circumstance in his plan had occurred—he had exposed himself right under Jian Yuan’s nose.
Workshop, workshop, workshop…
Why does every craftsman dream of building their own workshop? Within one’s own workshop, a craftsman can achieve anything!
Yet, even a tiny ant in a workshop is still inside a workshop.
It is fine to not pay attention usually, but once noticed, how could one merely crush and roll up an ant without even a second thought?
Ji Jue had never had any illusions; even when showing off beneath the old master’s nose, there was only one opportunity—when Jian Yuan wasn't paying attention.
He had initially planned to take advantage of this moment by absorbing spiritual energy, then latching onto an artisan, ideally getting close to the Heavenly Track Engine.
However, he never expected Jian Yuan to be so vigilant.
As soon as he made a little noise, his disguise fell apart.
He won the plan but lost himself.
Yet, the unexpected fortune was that he wasn’t tossed into a cell to await a torturous death.
He also wasn’t dismembered into character fragments to be sent down the assembly line.
Instead, he was tied to Jian Yuan’s watchful eyes…
It felt a lot like a beautiful investigator undercover in a black factory.
Faced with vicious criminals, her true identity was unwittingly exposed.
All that awaited her was… well, to be forced into labor until death? Is that really how this plot works?
Is that what everyone wants to see?!
And what tricks was Jian Yuan playing?
Was it really necessary?
What’s the need to play around with a small fry like me? Surely, he wasn’t actually planning on taking me in as an apprentice, was he?
Just thinking about it made Ji Jue almost laugh at himself.
Now, although trapped, at least he didn’t have to worry about being flayed and bled out on the assembly line.
After being scanned by a CT, although Jian Yuan had seen through his guise, there were still things yet to be discovered.
He rummaged through the materials on the ground, his eyelids lifting slightly.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the president squatting in a corner, idly licking his paw.
A watch dangled from the collar around his neck.
Waiting quietly.
Ji Jue’s gaze swept past and then returned.
It’s the cat playing with the mouse, isn’t it?
Be careful, old man, or that mouse you look down upon might bite off your ear.
Taking a deep breath and ignoring the sharp pain in his legs, Ji Jue leaned against the wall and slowly stood up, stepping toward the material store—first, he needed to get a couple of walking sticks for himself.
Jian Yuan was even more generous than Ji Jue had anticipated.
At the same time, he was much stronger than he had imagined.
The four floors of the workshop felt like two entirely different worlds; outside, it was just a workshop, while inside, it was a realm crafted by Jian Yuan.
Upon pushing the open door, Ji Jue could see endless shelves that seemed to stretch into the abyss, filled with various materials stored in exquisite order, extending all the way to the limits of Ji Jue's perception.
Turning around and pushing open another door, in a void-like space, a flicker of firelight danced in the air, silently burning but giving off no warmth.
Ji Jue stood outside the warning line, expressionless as he shut the door.
That was the Annihilation Furnace.
Opening yet another door revealed a stormy valley filled with thunder and rain.
Vague silhouettes walked within, and when they perceived Ji Jue's gaze, they seemed to look back momentarily before quickly turning away and continuing on their way.
Ji Jue closed the door, abandoning the idea of exploration.
This workshop, built from the accumulation and hard work of countless artisans through the ages, felt like a complete and independent domain.
Who knows what other bizarre things Jian Yuan had crammed inside?
If a Godzilla came out of such a mix, that would be quite the spectacle.
When he lowered his head, he noticed a shadow that had appeared behind him at some point, ethereal and vague, almost like a spirit.
Its face was unclear, merely silently waiting and observing.
Ji Jue pondered for a moment, pointing at the shadow: "You, make me two dishes."
The shadow showed no reaction.
With a loud sound, two packets of compressed biscuits fell from the sky, landing on the ground, along with a bottle of water.
Dishes?
What do you think I’m cooking, a feast?!
After thinking for a moment, Ji Jue said, "Get me a walking stick."
Instantly, a few steel rods plummeted from the sky, the edges still jagged, crashing onto the floor in front of him with a clanging sound.
Oh, so you want me to do it myself, huh?
"This little bit of stuff, who are you trying to fool?" Ji Jue frowned, "Rubber."
Clang!
A whole piece of rubber slapped him in the face, suggesting that would do.
After all, it was the workshop of a master; even artificial intelligence was present?
Ji Jue laughed joyfully, no longer complaining.
Supported by the non-offensive technique and ingenious skill, a wheelchair was quickly formed in just a few minutes.
Though it didn’t have a motor for automatic movement, he had also managed to build a suspension system.
Sadly, conditions were limited; the armrests were too narrow to hold two shotguns…
After spinning a few circles in the wheelchair, Ji Jue returned to the hall and rummaged through the pile of materials.
The common materials produced in the Embers’ toxic environment were, for the artisans of the Association, a significant source of pollution, but for the products of the Stagnant Path, they served as good assistance.
Based on their material properties and spiritual qualities, Ji Jue could roughly discern some of their uses.
However, soon he frowned: "I’m just organizing materials, but what about the specifications? The requirements? Should they be diced or chunked? Isn’t this a bit troublesome? There’s not even a blueprint. How are the workers supposed to work?!"
The shadow remained motionless; with a snap, a requirement form materialized out of thin air.
It showed no concern for his probing actions or attempts to peek into Jian Yuan’s inheritance.
Without Ji Jue saying a word, two books detailing the materials processing procedures and requirements flew into his arms.
Then there were two foundational theory books on crafting toxic products, and even a thesis as big as a brick summarizing the theories of toxic refinement.
Bang! Ji Jue didn’t even see that coming, and it hit him right in the stomach, like a clean, swift punch!
Finally, what lay before him was an alarm clock.
A countdown of four hours began ticking down.
The meaning was simple and straightforward.
Four hours.
If after those four hours, if he hadn’t managed to complete the tasks, then they would surely have an interesting time ahead.
"What do you mean?! You can’t force someone to commit a crime!"
Ji Jue was furious, clutching the foundational guide to toxic alchemy in his hands.
In his rage, a chill coursed through him, his entire body shaking, tears unbidden rolling down: "I’m a legitimate artisan’s apprentice from the Association, the inheritor of fluid alchemy, a pure Ember Chosen One. Am I really supposed to learn this bullshit? I’m sullied, I’m sullied… eh, but this section is actually kind of interesting, the annotations are quite sharp, this old ghost has some substance..."
As he realized all this, the book had already opened.
This was bad; he was powerless to resist.
Brother Ember, save me! My body is moving on its own; you can’t blame me… this is an irresistible force! It must be that old man Jian Yuan’s doing!
Ji Jue bowed his head in distaste and leaned in, reading word for word.
Since he had already come this far…
If he didn’t learn something, wouldn’t that be a wasted trip?!
Three hours, forty minutes, and fifty-one seconds later.
All the materials were finished and presented to the suddenly appearing Jian Yuan.
His emerald green eyes scanned them, and then he waved his fingers dismissively: "Passable, fine… these few are acceptable, but the rest is garbage. Redo them, in half an hour."
"Half an hour?!"
Ji Jue’s face turned red with anger as he shouted: "I’ve only just learned for two hours, and haven’t even finished reading the book yet. Where is the logic in that? Don’t make it too hard on me!"
"Well, you know how long you’ve been procrastinating."
Jian Yuan’s face remained expressionless.
"If you can’t do it, I’ll cut off one of your fingers."
“…”
Ji Jue fell silent, remaining so for a long while.
Finally, he tossed the book aside and sighed helplessly.
"There’s no need for this, Master," he earnestly advised.
"Why not spare some trouble and just kill me? A nuisance like me living could very well become a hidden danger for you in the future."
Hearing this, Jian Yuan glanced at him, a slight shift in his indifferent expression, as if he were looking at a clown: "Don’t worry, if one day you truly become a threat to me, I’d be more than happy."
"Well said! Excellent! You're truly an Ember treasure!"
Ji Jue clapped in admiration, his appreciation heartfelt: "However, with so many disasters in this world, wouldn’t it be better for you to conquer the Mystic Depths? Crush the Association, what nonsense with the three great masters! First eliminate the Devourers, then wipe out the Cultivators, and finally scatter the ashes of the Heavenly Furnace, thereby proving the Everlasting Ember's supremacy. Wouldn't that be glorious? Why bother mixing with a petty cult? Why waste efforts here at all?"
Hmm?
Ji Jue leaned on the armrest of his wheelchair, curiously asking: "Is it that you don't like it?"
It was probably countless years since anyone had the courage to say such nonsense before Jian Yuan.
Even if Jian Yuan flew into a rage in the very next second and used his copper-headed belt to turn Ji Jue into a top, it wouldn't have been surprising.
Yet, to Ji Jue’s surprise, Jian Yuan remained calm and uninterested, merely returning the question: "How do you know I haven’t done so before?"
In that moment, Ji Jue was rendered motionless.
Frozen in place.
Because right before him, Jian Yuan grinned, raised his hand, and smoothly peeled off his own face, just like that.
The face, resembling a mask, retained its mocking expression.
Yet beneath the mask, a series of gruesome gaps and deep fissures emerged, along with the cursed light swirling around it.
Underneath a human’s shell, it seemed as if everything had been hollowed out, with a soul sustained within suffering and torment, constantly twisting and revealing its true semblance.
"The study of life is profound, kid; you still have a long way to go."
The face piecing back together bore a meaningful mocking smile, ultimately reminding him, "You have twenty-five minutes left."
The shadow emerged from behind Jian Yuan.
Holding a cigar cutter on display.
Snip, snip.
The countdown had begun…
(End of Chapter)