Ji Jue: "—"
Lou Feng: " "
Jiang Tongguang: "——"
Inside the quiet office, the three stared at one another in silence. No one spoke.
*Director Jiang has arrived? Director Jiang, please take a seat! Director Jiang, have some tea.*
After running through the polite threefold routine, the tea leaves drifted in the hot water amid curling steam. Outside the window, the first amber rays of twilight fell across the afternoon office. In the silence, only the ticking of the desk clock remained.
Silence. Silence. And more silence.
Jiang Tongguang said nothing. Ji Jue said nothing. Lou Feng—Lou Feng had no idea what to say either!
The atmosphere felt so bizarre that he was completely baffled.
He looked back and forth between the two of them, unable to tell whether this was intentional passive resistance, some kind of unspoken mutual understanding, or simply a case of them forgetting their lines.
Nobody was uttering a single word!
Silence, silence, and yet more silence—until Lou Feng could not bear it any longer. He drew a deep breath and let out a long sigh.
Yet before he could speak, a sigh sounded beside him from Ji Jue.
It was heavy with sorrow.
*Why couldn't you hold out?*
"Ha!"
Jiang Tongguang suddenly laughed out loud, his face beaming as though he had finally won. He lifted his teacup and slurped noisily, heedless of how bitter Ji Jue's dreadful tea leaves were.
To him, it tasted sweet as honey.
"—"
Lou Feng was dumbfounded. He turned his head, only to be met by Ji Jue's glare of utter disappointment. "Director Jiang was just messing with us! Why did you have to go and lose your cool?!"
"...Ah."
Lou Feng felt completely unwell. Wait, when had this game even started? Weren't the two of them being a little childish?!
*Am I just part of your sick roleplay?!*
Watching the meaningful glances passing between the two, Lou Feng had to fight the urge to roll his eyes. Only the presence of a Director seated right in front of him kept him from acting too out of line.
If it were just the two of them alone, he would have thrown hands without a single frame of windup.
"Hahahaha, just a joke. Let's talk business, talk business—"
Finishing his tea, Jiang Tongguang set the cup firmly on the table. Dropping all pretenses, he got straight to the point. "At a critical juncture like this, there's no need for me to put on an act. I'm mainly here about the inquiry hearing."
"The inquiry hearing?"
Ji Jue acted puzzled, sighing with theatrical emotion. "What could possibly be the matter with the inquiry hearing? Isn't it just a tiny misunderstanding, a little friction? To think it would disturb a Director enough to travel thousands of miles just to stand up for me! A humble artisan like me is moved to the depths of his soul, weeping with gratitude."
His eyes, however, were brimming with deep resentment.
*We had such deep camaraderie during the artisan exam, such seamless coordination, such a brilliant performance! Traveling all this way, you had better be here to stand up for me—*
"Hey, look at how things turned out!"
Jiang Tongguang slapped his knee, pretending not to catch the sarcasm, and spoke plainly. "Then I'm really sorry to disappoint."
"Oh—?"
Ji Jue drew out the syllable, nodding in sudden realization. "You're here to mediate? Pfft, what's the big deal! A minor matter, totally minor! Don't even mention it! I'll sign the notice right now, and the whole thing will be over!"
Jiang Tongguang gave a faint half-smile. "And then you, you little dog, will nurse a grudge and bide your time to cook up an even bigger scheme?"
"How could you say that!" Ji Jue was instantly shocked. "How could I possibly be so rotten? How could you think of me like that?"
"Because that's exactly what I was thinking back in my day."
Jiang Tongguang grinned. "And what's more, that's exactly what I did—"
"—"
Ji Jue was silenced. There was nothing he could say to that.
*Teacher Jiang, you just completely killed the conversation!*
"So don't worry. I'm stepping in purely on account of our past acquaintance. I'm not going to force any decision on you—I haven't sunk so low as to be that shameless."
Jiang Tongguang gestured toward his empty teacup. Once it was refilled, he gulped down another full cup. "As for the mess between your Fluid lineage and the Transmutation lineage, I honestly don't want to get involved. I don't need to put on an act for you; you understand that, right?
"If you really can't stand them, have an open, fair brawl. If you can topple the Transmutation lineage, I'll personally help your Fluid lineage onto the stage—no hesitation!"
Lou Feng looked shocked. "When did I ever say I was part of the Fluid lineage?"
"Yeah, exactly!" Ji Jue nodded along and followed up. "When did I ever say I was part of the Fluid lineage?"
The two asked the exact same question, yet their emphases were on completely different points.
"—"
Jiang Tongguang gave Lou Feng a complicated look. Ji Jue's faction could be called whatever he wanted, but could you, Lou Feng, belong to any faction other than Ji Jue's?
You've already sworn blood oaths and burned incense to become sworn brothers. If you tell people you're packing your bags to head home, who the hell is going to believe you, kid?
Lou Feng's face turned sour, and he gave up talking.
"Back to business," Jiang Tongguang said calmly. "Before I came here, while Hu Jian was running around begging favors, he indicated that as long as you're willing to cut him some slack, he'd be willing to cast a vote in your favor during the Master evaluation early next year."
Ji Jue paused, his eyes instantly gleaming with excitement. "In other words, if I don't cut him slack, he won't vote for me—is that what he means?"
Then what was there to talk about? Since the man was so stiff-necked, Ji Jue might as well bludgeon him to death with a club so there would be no future troubles.
Everyone could roll up their sleeves and fight to the bitter end.
Life or death.
Nothing simpler.
"—"
Now even Lou Feng was horrified. He finally felt the bloodlust that ran in the bones of Ye Xian's lineage. Absolute warmongers! The man was begging for mercy, and you think he's picking a fight?!
To Ji Jue, however, never mind begging for mercy—even kneeling with an improper posture counted as treachery!
Cut him some slack and he'd vote for him?
*You motherfucker still think you're in a position to negotiate terms with me?*
That just proved he hadn't been pounded hard enough yet!
Then let's keep pounding!
"What you plan to do is your own business to figure out. Don't tell me," Jiang Tongguang waved a hand and continued. "I traveled all the way to the Federation, so give an old guy some face and let me finish, all right?"
Ji Jue sat up straight. "Go ahead."
"From the Association's standpoint, the Transmutation lineage is still useful. They still have room to contribute," Jiang Tongguang said. "Hu Jian is indeed petty and narrow-minded, but he treats his own people very generously. Over the years, countless people have owed him favors.
"If you beat him up once, that's fine, because the folks in the Association love watching a good show. No matter how badly you thrash him, nobody cares. But if you keep pressing until things become irreconcilable, a fight to the death... I'm afraid it won't just be the Transmutation lineage. Many people in the Association will feel forced to pick sides.
"Of course, I know you don't care."
Jiang Tongguang pinched his nose and finished rattling off that nonsense. Then he took a deep breath, and with the full gravity of his status as a Director, spoke solemnly to a mere Golden Ribbon Artisan: "I just want to be clear on one thing, Ji Jue—"
He asked:
"Are you determined to see him 'dead'?"
"—"
For a moment, Lou Feng hesitated, his lips parting. *Director Jiang, have you lost your mind? A Golden Ribbon Artisan making a Master die? Are you joking?*
Yet the fact that Jiang Tongguang had traveled thousands of miles here, sat in Ji Jue's office, and asked this question proved that—in his heart, he genuinely believed it was possible.
To Jiang Tongguang, this was the opening salvo of a war between the Fluid lineage and the Transmutation lineage.
And it could very well turn into a bloody, fight-to-the-death feud that dragged others in, escalating into a massive, catastrophic internal war...
Even if it was only a possibility, who knew just how big Ji Jue's appetite was?
When that kid decided to cause trouble, he really went all out!
Ji Jue did not beat around the bush and answered just as bluntly.
"Not to that extent."
Hearing that, Jiang Tongguang smiled.
"Good. That means there's room to talk?"
Ji Jue did not answer immediately. He picked up his cup, sipped slowly for a long time, and finally set it down, exhaling a long breath.
"Director Jiang, there's one thing I don't understand."
"Speak freely."
"Just one point. A petty, messy spat like this, even if it involves internal friction and could blow up, shouldn't warrant someone of your stature condescending to act as a peacemaker, right?" Ji Jue asked. "Does he really have that much face?"
"He's not worth a fart," Jiang Tongguang shook his head flatly. "Think of it like this: you create a group chat, and two people start arguing in it. Shouldn't you resolve the conflict before the drama spreads?"
Ji Jue's brow furrowed even tighter. "Since when has the Association been so responsible?"
"That's my own personal angle," Jiang Tongguang sighed, then suddenly asked, "The Association published the *Compendium of Historical Discussions on the Four Fundamentals of Alchemy*, twenty-four volumes per part, progressing from basics to advanced. You've read it, right?"
"I've read it, and memorized it."
Ji Jue nodded. He had a deep impression of that collection because among the foundational works Professor Ye had tossed at him, it was one of the few that was relatively easy to digest and structured methodically. While it didn't delve into the most profound secrets, it broke down and analyzed every single process in meticulous detail.
"Hu Jian was the one who pushed for that after taking office," Jiang Tongguang said. "A total of seven editions have been compiled, and they're still revising it now... I've seen the eighth edition; he added a lot of material.
"Of course, he certainly had selfish motives in doing it, but to carry those selfish motives through to such an extent, you have to admit it wasn't easy.
"Call him a hypocrite, or say he's just putting on a show—it doesn't matter.
"Even if his conduct has become worse and worse over the years, deep down, he still has that bit of public spirit. So my only reason for getting involved is to see if I can play the elder and persuade you to let him retain some dignity and finish this project.
"Let him use whatever fire he has left to pass on some real knowledge. Consider it a proper conclusion to all his years of hard work."
As an artisan, Jiang Tongguang couldn't care less whether Hu Jian lived or died.
But as a Director, he had to intervene. Whether out of respect for Hu Jian's contributions and toil over the years to secure him a graceful exit, or to maintain the Association's internal stability, Jiang Tongguang had to hold his nose and step into the mud to clean up the mess.
Ji Jue fell into contemplation. Since Jiang Tongguang had put it in such terms, it would indeed be inappropriate not to give him face. Besides, all it took was dropping further pursuit.
This battle was already won. Ji Jue wouldn't receive a fraction less of what he was owed; all the other side wanted was to salvage a shred of dignity.
Who told Hu Jian to casually kick a hornet's nest that turned out to be the greatest breakthrough in Spiritual Creation Theory in fifty or sixty years?
He deserved to lose.
Served him damn well right.
After mulling it over for a long time, Ji Jue asked, "What if he tries something again—"
"Then he dies," Jiang Tongguang chuckled. "No need for you to do anything. I'll personally reclaim the face I lost. I'll wring his head off myself. How about that?"
"Aiya, Director, you're a real one!"
Ji Jue broke into a wide grin. "Then say no more. It's a deal!"
"Hell, we're all bros!"
Jiang Tongguang waved his hand and pulled out a sheet of paper. "Here's the Transmutation lineage's inventory. Pick whatever you like.
"Oh, right, take these too. Consider them a little meeting gift within my authority. No need to wait on paperwork; I brought them straight here."
Three boxes were laid out before Ji Jue and Lou Feng.
Two for Ji Jue, one for Lou Feng.
When the boxes opened, inside lay three ribbons of pure gold. Antiquated in style and meticulously crafted, their gleam instantly lit up the eyes of both young men.
The artisan's medal of honor—the Golden Ribbon!
Both beamed from ear to ear. It was finally in their hands!
Then Ji Jue noticed something off—
"Why do I only have two?"
Ji Jue protested loudly: "Shouldn't it be three?!"
He had two papers graded A+ and A-, and on Lou Feng's A+ paper, he was listed as corresponding author! No matter how you counted, it should be three!
"Know when to stop!"
Jiang Tongguang sighed. "The gap between A+ and A- is huge. If you hadn't been the corresponding author on Lou Feng's paper as well, you'd have had to rely on luck and wait until New Year's for the second ribbon!
"Earning two Golden Ribbons in a single year is already mind-boggling! Besides, who ever heard of awarding two Golden Ribbons for a single research breakthrough?
"Did you think it was an S+ or something?!"
"Fine, fine, I'll take the loss. Two it is."
Ji Jue shook his head and let out a dramatic sigh. "Who asked me to care so much about the bigger picture? I'll treat it as enduring a slight for the public good. It's inevitable that an honest fellow like me gets taken advantage of."
With a flick of his sleeve, he swiped the inventory sheet into his pocket. A quick glance confirmed that the Transmutation lineage was indeed wealthy and deep-rooted—there were plenty of good things on that list!
Money accepted, favors granted. Now that he had reaped the benefits, he could naturally afford to be magnanimous.
Seeing the brat complain about suffering a devastating loss even after pocketing every scrap of profit, Jiang Tongguang couldn't help but sigh. If things continued like this, what on earth would become of their Association?
Well, at least it would become more and more entertaining!
As for headaches—that was Gustav's problem. What did it have to do with a slacker like him?
Yet, when Ji Jue's wide, watery, expectant eyes turned back toward him, clearly hoping to wheedle out another perk, Jiang Tongguang suddenly empathized with Gustav's misery...
"Nothing left."
He clapped his hands and shook his sleeves. "Out of all the Directors, I'm the poorest. No faction, no businesses. If not for my brewing skills, I wouldn't even have more money in my pockets than you do in your account, kid."
"That's fine, Director. Big or small, a gift is a token of our bond; I'm not picky."
Ji Jue's greedy heart wouldn't die. He gave an honest smile, his slightly grubby hands itching to reach forward and rummage again, only to be slapped away without mercy.
"No more perks. But I do have a rotten chore."
Jiang Tongguang glanced at him, his expression turning odd. "You seem pretty free lately. Stop scheming to stir up trouble. Interested in taking a side gig with me?
"I have a channel in the Association. The risk is a bit high, but the profit is huge. As they say, fortune favors the bold—it just depends on whether you, Director Ji, have the guts!"
Ji Jue instinctively grew wary and asked cautiously, "Director... this side gig of yours, is it legit?"
"It's not a question of legit or not; it's a very special kind of gig."
Jiang Tongguang's expression turned exceedingly solemn, but the corners of his mouth grew increasingly impossible to suppress. The mere thought of what he was about to do made him want to burst out laughing. "It's complicated, but it's also simple. Depends on how you look at it."
"Then..." Ji Jue grew even more suspicious. "Could you give me the short version?"
"The Absolute Sentence squad."
Jiang Tongguang smiled, looking radiant and cheerful.
"What?!"
Before Ji Jue could react, Lou Feng sprang up in horror, his face twisted in panic, as if he had just witnessed someone who thought the Association's ecosystem wasn't chaotic enough toss a biological weapon straight into a cesspool!
Let this bastard Ji Jue join the Absolute Sentence squad?!
How was that any different from letting a weasel guard the henhouse?!
Forgetting all hierarchy and decorum, Lou Feng cried out in frantic alarm, trying to talk sense into him: "Director, you've lost your mind!"
*Smack!*
Ji Jue seized Jiang Tongguang's hand and shook it vigorously!
"Deal!"
Joy was truly contagious.
With a single handshake, the exact same smile spread across Ji Jue's face—indescribably bright and sunny.
Where else on earth could someone find such a marvelous gig?
*Listen up, kids—this is me. I've joined the Absolute Sentence squad!*
Chapter 669