Bai Xiaolong nodded. “But that would all be useless without building the device in a specific way. The entire assembly must be perfectly balanced. In addition, the ferromagnetic field must be strong enough that any torque irregularities or vibrations are dampened. You need to keep the device floating within the cage without touching it. Simultaneously, you need to make it spin fast enough to move the air around it.”
He then pointed to a coil on the outside of the core. “This device contains a heat-conversion mechanism. While spinning, it absorbs much heat from the surrounding air. This heat is then concentrated and reconverted to spiritual energy that is then fed back into the core. I won’t bore you with the specifics of this process, but due to this mechanism, the device can basically exist indefinitely.”
“That’s fascinating,” Jin Huang said. “Do you mostly make utility devices like these?”
“I often make such devices,” Bai Xiaolong said. “But my bread and butter are locks, traps, and combat mechanisms. Due to the prevalence of runic arts, runic locks aren’t as safe as complex mechanical ones. Strong locking devices are essential for keeping wealth safe without using bodyguards. As for traps, those are fixed in place. They don’t give off qi fluctuations, so it’s a clever way to lay ambushes for one’s enemies.”
“What about combat devices?” Jin Huang asked. “Those sound exciting!”
“There are quite a few useful ones, too many to count,” Bai Xiaolong said. “My three main designs are shrapnel bombs, incendiary bombs, and web bombs.” Seeing Jin Huang’s confused expression, he clarified. “Shrapnel bombs use an explosion to deliver a payload of sharp magic weapon fragments. They fly so fast they can pierce qi shields. Incendiary bombs, on the other hand, use chemical and alchemical means to cause a larger, fiery explosion. They’re ideal for taking down fortifications and breaking larger formation shields. Web bombs, on the other hand, have no offensive power. They use a sticky substance to create webbings that trap enemies, making it difficult for them to move and evade.”
“So versatile,” Jin Huang said. “Can I learn to make incendiaries?” His eyes shone bright as a three-year-old child’s.
“Not in this shop, you’re not,” Bai Xiaolong growled. “If you want, we can rent another place for a short time. Heck, I could even outsource the concoction to you. But if you lose any fingers, it’s on you.”
“Deal!” Jin Huang said. Then he sighed. “Business has been a bit slow lately. It seems I saturated the market for gold-seal pills. If things keep going on like this, I might as well just give up on making pills for a while and continue my research.”
“Research into what?” Bai Xiaolong asked. Due to their vast collection of recipes, alchemists weren’t the type to experiment. An artificer, on the other hand, was required to improve or change old designs every single day.
“One is a secret branch of alchemy, so I can’t tell you,” Jin Huang said, not wanting to reveal his efforts in poison-making. “But the other one is very interesting.”
He took out a thick book. Some of it contained his own notes, while many of them were penned by a different hand. “My teacher calls it runic alchemy. And while he only developed a system up to the fifth mortal grade, it’s powerful stuff. By using runes, I can create many different pills that aren’t normally stable. I can even promote the level of a pill using the exact same ingredients. And it doesn’t even change the pill grade, just the grade of the effects.”
“The way I see it, it’s worthwhile researching, then,” Bai Xiaolong said. “The selling price of a pill is dependent on its effect, not the technical grade.”
“But it’s taking so much time,” Jin Huang said, sighing. “I’ve been at it for a couple of weeks, and I’ve only been able to decipher the first nine levels. Everything after that is much harder.”
Poison-making, on the other hand, seemed more efficient. He had talent in the area, and his skill in it already matched his skills in alchemy. If the poison master occupation wasn’t so reviled in the north, he might have considered giving up on alchemy entirely.
As they spoke, the door at the back of the workshop creaked open. “Why, isn’t this nice,” Hei Chen said, walking into the room. Today he was wearing nicer cultivation robes and an ornate hat complete with gold embroidery. “I’m wounded. You’re having a party without me.”
“Take a seat,” Jin Huang said, pointing to a spare stool.
The man sat down and accepted a cup of pink peach iced tea.
“What’s the occasion for your attire? Have you found another mistress again?”
“What an appropriate drink for such a scorching day,” Hei Chen said, ignoring his question. He drank his glass in a single gulp and motioned for more. “A man doesn’t need a mistress to be well-dressed, my friend. Clothes are a necessary expense to be successful in life. Speaking of which, some inspectors are on their way in three days’ time. A little bird told me as I was walking past the prefectural office. It’s Inspector Mu, so it’ll be pricier. Twenty-five stones should do it, but only give up twenty up front and the other five once he gives you a hint that it’s not enough.”
“These inspections are getting rather fierce,” Jin Huang said. “I’m starting to feel the pinch pretty hard. If they keep coming, I might be driven out of business.”
“That’s too bad,” Hei Chen said, stroking his chin. “Is there anything I can do to help?”
This was just the question Jin Huang was waiting for. “There’s something I want you to look into,” Jin Huang said, tapping his fingers on the table. “You see, I have a supply issue.”
“A supply issue, eh?” Hei Chen said. “You mean the monopoly on the herb industry?”
“The very same,” Jin Huang said, sighing. “They keep eating into my bottom line. In fact, we can barely afford the peaches for the iced tea. It’s the last we’ll be able to afford for a while.”
Bai Xiaolong choked on his glass slightly before nodding. “Yes, it’s a pity. The days are so hot, and I can’t imagine how miserable they’ll be without it.”
“Come now, there’s no need to be so dramatic,” Hei Chen said, rolling his eyes, yet pulling his glass closer to him. “But I catch your drift. You’ve spotted a market opportunity. I like that, and the boss usually does too. Unfortunately, that’s a bit above my pay grade.”
“Which is why I’d like to talk to him,” Jin Huang said. “I think there’s a hefty profit to be made. And who knows? If we can sort this out, we might even be able to afford making more pink peach iced tea.”
Hei Chen hesitated for a moment. “I’ll pass on the news and see what he says. While he likes business opportunities, he doesn’t like messing with top dogs like the Lion Financial Group. You and I, we’re friends. But the boss doesn’t know you.” He sighed. “I’ll put in a good word for you. That is, if you’ll spare the last glass of pink peach iced tea.” The pitcher was almost empty.
“Thank you so much, Brother Hei,” Jin Huang said, pouring the rest into his glass, leaving it half full. “I didn’t want to bring it up, but we’re far too poor.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Hei Chen said, drinking it. “I’ll keep in touch. And by the way, I made some friends the other day, and they’re looking for a big batch of pills. I told them I know someone who’d give them a family discount. Be sure to let your friend in Quicksilver know.”
“Sure thing,” Jin Huang said, winking.
Hei Chen soon left, leaving Jin Huang and Bai Xiaolong alone in the room. After probing around with his incandescent force, Jin Huang gave the all-clear to the artificer, who retrieved another pitcher of pink peach iced tea.
“I’ve got to say, you’re a natural when it comes to this shady business,” Bai Xiaolong said. “But you’d best be careful when talking to Brother Hei or his boss. You might get stung.”
“I wouldn’t have even considered it if it wasn’t for that thieving Lion Financial Group,” Jin Huang said bitterly.
“Technically, we’re the c
riminals,” Bai Xiaolong pointed out.
“The laws in this city came from the corrupt politicians and businessmen,” Jin Huang said. “I’m a pretty easygoing guy, but if they’re coming for wool, they’re going to get shorn.”
Chapter 23
Zi Long opened his eyes, ending a week-long meditation session in exhaustion. He’d made little, if any, progress on the Six Desires Fate-Converging Art, which could only be expected given his current quantity of violet heart force.
“Why does cultivation have to be so troublesome?” he muttered.
Though he wasn’t lazy, he wasn’t the most hardworking among his disciple brothers and sisters. Senior Brother and Junior Sister have probably broken through to late foundation establishment, he thought. As for Jin Huang… well, that talented monster might even catch up to me before the year is up.
A soft knocking sound interrupted his train of thought. He directed his incandescent force to the door and realized that a man who looked to be in his thirties was standing outside. Realizing that he was a complete mess, Zi Long quickly dumped a cleansing potion over his head, removing all filth and leaving behind only minty freshness. Then he opened the door and invited the man inside his cultivation cave.
“Greetings,” the man said, bowing. “I’m the seventh elder of the Violet Heart Sect, Mu Qian. It’s an honor to meet one of teacher’s good friends.”
“Likewise, it’s an honor to meet the reclusive seventh elder,” Zi Long said. “I was told that you rarely leave seclusion, only showing yourself every half decade or so.”
He flicked his finger to a pot of water as the man walked in, adjusting it to the proper temperature for brewing tea. He quickly brewed a throwaway batch of tea and poured the second brew into two small porcelain cups. “What can I do for you today?”
The man drank a sip and nodded appreciatively. “Evergreen Kingdom, jade tiger tea, aged twelve years. Not bad, not bad at all. I’d stay and drink your entire stock if I hadn’t come to discuss a… delicate matter.”
“Is there any news on Brother Fan?” Zi Long asked. He’d been inquiring nonstop since his stay in the library. His constant pestering and pointed questions had earned him the rebuke of many elders. Fortunately, they didn’t have the standing to stop him.
“There is,” Mu Qian said grimly. “And it isn’t good news.” He reached over and put his hand on Zi Long’s shoulder. “Master’s life slip broke. A day ago, to be exact.”
Zi Long dropped his teacup. It smashed as it struck the floor, littering it with thousands of shards of wet porcelain. He took in a deep breath. “So you’re saying that, despite my having come to your sect specifically to inquire about his well-being, and being constantly reassured of his welfare, he died. And I’ve only been informed after an entire day?”
Being a calm man, Zi Long didn’t often show this side to people. He quickly bottled up his anger; it hadn’t dissipated, but it was ready to be unleashed in more focused conditions.
“As my eldest brother may have explained, the situation is complicated,” Mu Qian said. “We were concerned about Master’s condition, so we couldn’t allow you—or any of us, for that matter—to interrupt his seclusion.”
“I’ll have to trouble you to take me to the grand elder,” Zi Long said. “If I can’t receive a proper explanation, I’ll have to lodge a formal complaint with my superiors in the Alabaster Group. Every one of our members is precious and irreplaceable.”
Mu Qian paled a little at the name drop but bowed lightly. “Please follow me,” he said. They walked up the stairs, and before long, they’d reached the grand elder’s cave. However, they passed it and proceeded to the Violet Palace at the peak of the spire.
“What are we doing here?” Zi Long asked. “I don’t have time for anything that doesn’t regard Brother Fan.”
“Eldest Brother is here looking through Master’s belongings,” Mu Qian said. “Due to his passing, it’s necessary to put the sect’s affairs in order as soon as possible.”
Zi Long’s face was cold and unreadable, but one thing was certain: He wasn’t pleased.
They soon arrived in front of the Violet Palace. Instead of entering the palace, however, they proceeded to a small hut to the side. Mu Qian pushed open the door and allowed Zi Long inside. The grand elder, who had been busy rummaging through a shelf, looked over at Zi Long and Mu Qian in surprise.
“Mu Qian, what is an outsider doing here?” the grand elder asked.
Zi Long took note of his surprise. Apparently, there were some disagreements among the elders.
“He isn’t exactly an outsider,” Mu Qian said. “As Master’s friend, he ought to know what happened as soon as possible.”
The grand elder glared at Mu Qian. “Fine. But don’t touch anything. We’ll take Zi Long to see Master’s body soon.” There was no mention of the honorary elder title.
As the grand elder looked through the room, Zi Long looked around
What could possibly be more important than retrieving his master’s body? He wondered. From what he’d gathered through speaking to sect members, a master-disciple relationship was sacrosanct in the Violet Heart Sect. As he looked around, he paid attention as the grand elder rummaged through everything. Whether it be cultivation techniques or treasures, he didn’t touch any of them. He seemed to be looking for something specific.
Zi Long tapped his hand impatiently as the man searched. “Let me help, Eldest Brother,” Mu Qian said, sensing his displeasure.
“Fine, but if you see it, don’t touch it,” the grand elder said. “Just point it out to me and I’ll retrieve it.”
Perplexed, Zi Long looked around the room in search of clues. Then, thinking of something, he closed his eyes and retracted his incandescent force. His violet heart force spread into the room and instantly detected a small object. Seeing this, he sent the violet cloud over. It surrounded the object, revealing the faded outline of a violet key. To his surprise, the violet key jumped into the cloud of its own volition, vanishing and reappearing inside his spiritual sea.
As the key appeared, the voice of his friend Fan Yong sounded within his mind. I have a bad feeling, and I don’t know who to trust, the voice said. I’ve hidden this key in my chamber, to be discovered in case I die. Whoever you are—Brother Zi, Sister Xuehua, or Senior Partner Lu—keep it safe. The heritage of the Violet Heart Sect is more precious than you could ever imagine.
“Where could he have left the key?” the grand elder muttered. “It should be here. Without it, we won’t be able to access the Violet Palace. Initiating sect members will no longer be possible.”
Zi Long frowned but said nothing. If Brother Fan didn’t leave the key to him, he likely had a reason.
Zi Long waited a quarter hour before speaking again. “I think it’s time that we go see Brother Fan’s body. I expect a proper explanation for what happened.”
Looking exasperated, the grand elder nodded. “Let’s walk and talk,” he said. They made their way down the spire and through the sect. Then, to Zi Long’s surprise, they left through the back gates of the sect and proceeded down a different set of stairs. The pressure he felt on these steps was much stronger than when he ascended the mountain, indicating that it wasn’t just there to prevent intruders from coming down these stairs, but rather to prevent those with insufficient power.
The stairs led to the base of the mountain, though not all the way to the bottom. The grand elder flashed his authority token as they approached a second gate. It opened at his command, revealing a narrow path hugging the tall cliff.
“There is a trial ground at the back of our sect called the Cave of Desires,” the grand elder explained. “Master entered the cave in the hopes of making a breakthrough in his Seven Emotions Soul-Refinement Art. He wanted to use the beguilement formation in the cave to forcefully break through. He did so because he was doomed to die otherwise.”
Zi Long frowned. “Brother Fan was barely a hundred years old,” he said. “That’s very young for a
n initial-core-formation cultivator.”
“It is,” the grand elder admitted. “But have you heard about the confrontation my master had thirty years ago?”
“You mean the time Mo De attacked the sect?” Zi Long asked.
“That very same event,” the grand elder said. “You might not know this—very few people do—but my master paid a terrible price to fight him off. He overdrew his soul force to summon the sect’s guardian spirit. His soul was wounded in battle, and his condition grew worse with each passing year. You might have noticed that despite being young, my master had a full head of white hair.”
Zi Long nodded.
“Two months ago, my master summoned all his direct disciples before entering the cave for closed-door seclusion,” the grand elder continued. “Our master specifically instructed us not to interrupt his seclusion. Further, he told us not to tell outsiders about his situation lest they take advantage of his weakness and attack the sect. After he entered seclusion, he only contacted the outside world once. It contained a brief message—Help.
“Worried, I entered the cave and discovered that master’s soul was on the brink of collapse. I retrieved our best soul medicines and delivered them. After that, I sealed off the cave to ensure no one could disturb him. I didn’t tell you about his condition to shield him from external interference. Unfortunately, the worst has come to pass. Master has failed in his seclusion, leaving the sect extremely vulnerable.”
They passed several sect guards before arriving at a cave. A violet mist hovered around the mouth of the cave, and several purple-robed men and women stood outside of it.
“Did anyone else see him a month ago?” Zi Long asked.
“No, I was the only one,” the grand elder said. “Further, Master wasn’t in any state to talk. His body was littered with wounds—a symptom of overexposure to the illusions. His soul was crumbling. I force-fed him our best soul-recovery pill and lit up soul-nourishing incense. Then I immediately relayed the news to my brothers and sisters. They agreed that it was best not to bother him, lest his soul break apart under the pressure. They joined me in laying down a sealing formation on the cave to prevent entry.”
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