Above Destiny

Chapter 810 Academic Exchange and Mutual Progress
"What."

Ji Jue was stunned for a moment.

He could understand the first part of the sentence, but the problem was... who to kill?
Tragic work?

He stared blankly at Jiang Tongguang, unable to understand: Why did you kill him?

From beginning to end, it was the old man who caused all the trouble. How did this unlucky guy, Beigong, end up being targeted? It hasn't been long since he was kicked out by the three grandmasters.

Surely the association isn't just picking on one sheep?

In an instant, a million little question marks popped into Ji Jue's head, one after another. Under Jiang Tongguang's gaze, he instinctively asked:
"And what about Kengen?"

Sheep are like this: whether you graze one sheep or two, it's all the same. Since they're already here, it's just a matter of convenience. Shouldn't the association consider this?
"..."

Jiang Tongguang also fell silent, looking at him with a complicated expression, and sighed sincerely.

Your lineage is truly... harmonious and peaceful!
Ye Xian at least broke through the door. Originally, everyone thought that you, who respected your teacher so much, must be stronger than her. How did you suddenly fast forward to killing fellow disciples and severing ties with your relatives?
Oh, so once the door is broken in, it doesn't count as one family anymore, and killing them is pointless, right?

However, when he thought of Ji Jue's resume and how he had sacrificed himself to rescue his colleague from Jianyuan Workshop in Jinan, he suddenly understood a little.

After all, they had fallen into the hands of the corrupt and stagnant, and they were bound to suffer all kinds of torment. A guy like Kengen wouldn't care about any brotherhood, so even if he was still alive, he must have suffered a lot. It's normal for him to harbor resentment.

Unfortunately, the problem is that herding sheep is herding sheep, and killing a master craftsman is killing a master craftsman; the two are completely different things.

Even killing just one Beigong would require the association to exert all its efforts and spare no expense or sacrifice to achieve.

This isn't a battle within the Rift. The disparity in skill between artisans in skirmishes and positional warfare is common knowledge. Venturing deep into the Dark Realm and then into the workshop of the Tragic Craftsman is already beyond imagination. To try and add insult to injury at this point would be suicidal.

“I know you’re eager to get rid of this scourge, but Ji Jue, you have to face reality.”

Jiang Tongguang picked up the whiskey and poured it for the two of them. He added two more glasses of ice for himself, drank it all in one gulp, and sighed softly: "In the association's assessment, among the three Grandmasters of Yousui, Jianyuan's threat is ranked last... even lower than that of ordinary Suffering Demons."

Ultimately, Kengen was just a craftsman—although craftsman is no longer a compliment, he was remarkably upright and peaceful among the chaotic bunch of people in the grotesque world.

He always shut himself away and did his own thing, occasionally teaching a few students he liked, then throwing them out and ignoring them completely.

He didn't care what kind of mess the world became, and he wouldn't bother with anything unless necessary.

Even with terrifying abilities, its impact and destruction are minimal in comparison!

In comparison, addressing the most troublesome issue first and focusing on the major issues while letting go of the minor ones is the optimal solution.

"But... the question is, why did the association take action?"

Ji Jue couldn't understand and asked bluntly, "The battle of the Embers is still ongoing. Is the association going to be the first to overturn the table? Isn't that a tacit admission that we are inferior in skill?"

"So what if you do it?"

Jiang Tongguang sneered: "Do you think You Sui will behave? For a guy like Anvil, there are no taboos when it comes to achieving his goals."

So what if it's the Embers of the Deep?
Weren't they the ones who started using underhanded tactics first?

He solemnly reminded him: "Ji Jue, don't forget the purpose of both sides in starting the war."

purpose?

What else could be the purpose?
That pillar of depravity, drawing upon the depravity of the four seas, grows ever stronger, transforming the highest good into the greatest evil!
"Is there a problem?"

Ji Jue instantly became alert.

"Originally, I only had some doubts, but now it's almost certainly true." Jiang Tongguang said, his expression softening, showing approval.
"In truth, it's all thanks to you."

One man, ten battles, ten victories, single-handedly instigated ten shifts in good and evil within the Rift Realm, causing the marks to sink and shaking the pillar of great evil.

Moreover, not only that, the resulting ripples have also engulfed the present world and the vortex.

These ten victories were far more important than Ji Jue had imagined.

It was as if Ji Jue was the medium, releasing echoes at a fixed frequency, resonating with the Supreme Goodness. After ten consecutive times, the originally chaotic Supreme Goodness and Great Evil also showed a trend and direction of transformation.

Even though this change is so vast and complex, no matter how chaotic and disorderly it may seem, it eventually becomes traceable.

In the pitch-black maze, the instantaneous burning of a match is enough to illuminate the path ahead and the distant view.

A glimpse of a spot reveals the whole leopard!

“Five hours ago, the Plow Maker returned from beneath the whirlpool with his observations—by observing the changes in the pillars of sinking above and below the whirlpool, it can be confirmed that this was not the work of a single craftsman, and its maintenance and growth were not purely dependent on the Anvil.”

Jiang Tongguang stated decisively, "Although we do not know the specific details, based on current speculation, the Pillar of Depravity that connects reality and the vortex has a dual structure and function. What we see is not the complete form at all!"

In other words, from the very beginning, You Sui never intended to fight honestly!
For them, it's even possible that winning or losing each game is completely irrelevant, and they don't lose anything at all.

Although playing at home gives them a greater advantage, they are just so arrogant when playing away. They don't care how many messes they leave behind, so why should they care?

Planting landmines, spreading Agent Orange, blowing poison gas, burning the earth...

Of course, the dirtier the better!

So now the question arises—if the achievement of the Fallen Kingdom did not entirely come from the hands of the Anvil Elder, then who was supporting all of this while the Anvil Elder and the Heavenly Furnace were scheming against each other?

"You mean, Beigong?"

"Based on current analysis, it's highly likely."

Jiang Tongguang nodded.

Ji Jue immediately understood.

The simplest way of elimination is that of the three profound masters, the old man who cuts the anvil already occupies one position, so the remaining ones are either the tragic craftsman or the virtuous one.

But if Jian Yuan were involved, wouldn't Tian Lu be able to see through it? We've been fellow disciples for so many years, facing life and death three times. If we don't even have this much insight, then we shouldn't call him Tian Lu, we should just call him Old Dog!

Moreover, given Kengen's arrogance and possessiveness, he wouldn't be interested in projects offered to him by others; he always leads his own team and finds his own research topics.

Even with the evil cult, it was only a limited cooperation. Why should the old man make him submit and hide behind the scenes?

If it were really him, he would have raised his banner immediately and challenged Tianlu to a duel!

Therefore, the most likely remaining possibility is only one.

He was once tricked into becoming a cunning and ruthless man by Jiang Tongguang, but was then brutally attacked by three grandmasters. After being in hiding for so many years, he finally made a comeback and avenged himself!
"That sounds very challenging," Ji Jue remarked.

"You need to understand one thing: this is not a challenge, but a dead end."

Jiang Tongguang solemnly reminded him: "All of this is just speculation, and it is very likely that it is bait thrown out by the old man. The risks involved are ultimately unpredictable, and even if it succeeds, your actions will not be known to anyone."

The so-called "penalty team" is no longer themselves when they put on their masks.

It doesn't even belong to the association...

To put it more seriously, even if all the participants die, the association will not react in any way; there will be no funeral for those who lose, and no recognition for those who succeed.

If no evidence is found, or if you fall into a deep trap, the association will absolutely not admit to your actions!
This whole affair, from beginning to end, was entirely my doing; it was your own decision!

"Ah, I understand, I understand perfectly!" Ji Jue nodded repeatedly, praising and sighing: He had heard Lu Feng talk about this kind of thing countless times. His older brother had done so much wet and dirty work for the Federation, and even though he was lucky enough to be discharged, the only commendation he received on paper was a worthless duty medal that everyone received.

As expected of an association, it embraces all rivers and is inclusive, encompassing the dregs of both the Federation and the Empire.

Success doesn't make it a revolution, but failure definitely makes one a traitor.

You've really mastered the art of going it alone without an imperial edict!
"This journey into the deep is a death sentence for everyone. Even if everything goes smoothly, you will all be abandoned if anything goes wrong."

He drank alone, and after finishing the last cup, he slowly pushed over another small box beside him.

"This is the Silent Hall's security mechanism—the Dragon Palace Box."

Jiang Tongguang looked at him and said, "Once you open this box, everything that happened here will be erased. Nothing will have ever existed. You will go back to your hospital bed, open your eyes again, and not remember anything, as if nothing had ever happened."

You still have a chance to regret it, Ji Jue.

Why regret it?

Ji Jue countered with a question without hesitation, and then pushed the box back.

He said, "Count me in."

Why ask so many questions? It's just an academic seminar.
Don't keep me from exchanging academic ideas with my peers and making progress together!
Go talk to me about dissociation techniques!
.
The doors to the quiet hall closed again. In the silence, only Jiang Tongguang remained, drinking alone. After opening another bottle of aged wine, he suddenly asked:
"Are you sure you don't want some? That would be a shame."

"Forget it, I have another meeting later, I need to be more focused."

As Gustav's voice rang out, the chairman appeared at the other end of the long table, calmly and silently picking up his teacup, witnessing the entire process from beginning to end.

Jiang Tongguang looked over: "Are you sure you don't want to ask a few questions about things related to corruption?"

"Why ask? What will you do after you find out? It's better not to ask at all."

"What about the council?"

“I’ll vouch for you,” Gustav said. “Just ask me any questions you have. Let’s leave this petty stuff to me.”

Jiang Tongguang immediately laughed and sighed, "You've learned to follow in the footsteps of Grandmaster Tianlu. You're quite clever, Lao Gu."

"..."

Gustav remained silent for a long time before sighing softly, "As a craftsman, it is only natural to pursue the Heavenly Furnace, but where exactly is Your Majesty the Heavenly Furnace headed?"

Are you scared?

"A little, I'm used to it."

"I'm getting old, Gustav."

"Yes."

Gustav leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily: "Before becoming chairman, I thought about making sweeping reforms every day."

But after sitting in this position, I understand Deron a little better… Perhaps he has already done the best he could?”

Even after all these years, the only label people have secretly attached to him is incompetence.

Isn't incompetence a good thing?

What lies behind this incompetence?
Anyone sitting in this position will understand the location and power of the Ring of Oneness—not because it is powerless, but because it can do anything!

It seems I can interfere in everything under the heavens, so many things await my decision, but then what? What comes next? What will the future hold? Is any of this truly within my control?

So they became afraid, panicked, and lost their way.

Sometimes, even with a 70% chance of success, you still have to be mindful of the remaining 30%.

I'd rather stay where I am than risk falling into the abyss.

"Looking ahead and behind, as if walking on thin ice, trembling with fear, seeing snakes in the shadows."

Gustav chuckled self-deprecatingly: "Looking back, I realized that without realizing it, I had already stopped in the same place... becoming a chairman, doing what a chairman should do, and nothing else."

Those who hoped I would continue to move forward have gradually abandoned me.

"Is it a pity?"

Jiang Tongguang looked over and said, "Why don't we just finish this term and call it a day? Four or five years will fly by. After that, we can continue to focus on our own direction. Wouldn't that be better?"

"But who else but me will come?"

Gustav countered, "Who would be better? Who could do it better than me? Who else would be more suitable?"

Even if you're left standing there?

"Staying put is fine too."

Gustav lowered his eyes, gazing at his reflection in the tea. After a long while, he smiled with relief: "Even if I can't catch up, it doesn't matter. If I stay where I am, there will be many more people who can surpass me and keep moving forward. Isn't that a good way to think about it?"

Right there in the cup, the amber-colored tea rippled, blurring the pupils reflected in the water.

For some reason, what he recalled was a fleeting glimpse of something from the past.

On that day in the Tower of Myriad Transformations, there was a young man who piloted his handmade rocket, cheering as he soared into the universe.

Unconcerned with others' scrutiny or those lofty considerations, they exude freedom and radiance.

Once everything is under your control, look back and survey the world once more.

That look in his eyes...

They despise everything, yet do not hate the world.

He loathed everything, yet still possessed a certain passion and a heartfelt fondness.

It's like a flame.

But such flames actually aroused Gustav's jealousy at the time.

That tiny bit of jealousy that made even myself feel ashamed!

It wasn't until then that he realized what he had given up and forgotten in pursuit of everything he had now.

But he doesn't regret it.

As a director, he didn't believe any of the craftsmen's guarantees, but he was willing to believe such eyes.

Perhaps I will stay where I am.

But this is good.

There are still young people like these who can continue to move towards the future.

(End of this chapter)