Chiyan Peak, Quenching Workshop.
Several great furnaces rumbled to life, rolling waves of heat billowing upward. The crowd felt as though soaked in boiling water, their skin scalded red.
One by one, pale white hard bones were lowered into them by the mortal servants, using vigorous flames to smelt away impurities.
From time to time, crisp crackling sounds echoed from the furnaces—the noise of bone materials shattering.
Yang Xun let out a sigh. Even though the bone materials sent to the Quenching Workshop were carefully selected, they couldn't withstand the ferocity of the furnace flames.
Only twenty percent of the bone materials were qualified to serve as bone stock for polishing and forging rough blanks.
The rest were either burnt to slag or cracked and discarded.
"We've already reached the limit."
Yang Xun narrowed his eyes, sweeping his gaze across the mortal servants working diligently below—those adding charcoal, those fanning flames, each one earnest, showing no sign of slacking.
It was probably because Inner Sect Senior Brother Xu had beaten a mortal servant to death the day before; none of these fellows dared to cut corners now.
"Chiyan Peak must produce forty-two artifact rough blanks this month. We're still short thirteen, with only five days remaining.
By usual standards, the Quenching Workshop needs to produce one hundred sixty usable bone stock.
How can we possibly meet this pace?"
Yang Xun's head ached. Even if he added more talisman coins and divided the mortal servants in the Quenching Workshop into two shifts.
But the crux of production lay not in whether they had enough manpower.
The amount of "qualified bone stock" he could provide to the Carving and Forging Workshops was simply that limited.
"Even with two shifts working nonstop, at best we add another ten percent, bringing the material yield to around thirty percent..."
Yang Xun felt vexed. Although the Inner Sect wouldn't punish him for falling behind in production.
The four Outer Sect Peaks underwent annual evaluation. If Chiyan Peak ranked last, the salaries and bestowals of every overseer would be cut.
Moreover, going by the temperaments of Old Tang from the Carving Workshop and Old Zhou from the Forging Workshop, they would surely collude to push the blame onto the Quenching Workshop.
Claiming that he hadn't provided enough bone stock, causing them to fail to meet the completion target.
"The three workshops of Chiyan Peak have a monthly limit of thirty-seven pieces. The Inner Sect Senior Brother insisted on boasting, wanting to curry favor with Elder Sui, yet the bitter consequences fall on us to eat."
Yang Xun was full of complaints. Especially that Senior Brother Xu Yan who came down from the Inner Sect—who knew what kind of firecracker he'd eaten, exploding at the slightest touch.
Although after beating the mortal servant to death, he had given talisman coin compensation.
Yang Xun still had to expend energy and time to recruit replacements.
"A tangled mess, utterly vexing!"
Yang Xun clasped his hands behind his back, making a circuit of the Quenching Workshop before slowly returning to the second floor, leaning back in a recliner for a nap.
Behind him, a Dao attendant fanned air; on a nearby stool lay dried fruits and snacks.
Quite comfortable.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The bell of Guanlan Peak sounded from afar, carried into the Quenching Workshop.
The hour to end work had arrived.
Yang Xun lifted his eyelids, as though waking from sleep.
Nestled in the wide rocking chair padded with tiger skin, he swayed back and forth.
"Truly getting old, constantly sleepy and weary... hm?"
As Yang Xun was about to sit up, a sidelong glance caught a youth wrapped in a gray Dao robe standing at the stairway, hands hanging respectfully at his sides.
He recognized the other party. It was none other than Chiyan Peak's mortal servant, Jiang Yi.
The youth often worked in the Quenching Workshop, fanning flames and adding charcoal with considerable diligence. He was steady and hardworking in his tasks—a consumable seedling worth using.
Yang Xun said:
"Let him through."
The Dao attendant obeyed, stepping aside.
Jiang Yi lowered his head and stepped forward, bowing respectfully:
"Greetings, Overseer."
This old overseer in charge of the Quenching Workshop had a long face, bald brows, and a hooked, pointed nose—a naturally fierce appearance.
He looked like someone difficult to speak with, difficult to deal with.
The mortal servants in the Quenching Workshop would tremble whenever they saw him.
"Mm? What do you want?"
Yang Xun looked up appraisingly, surprise flashing in his eyes.
Huh, Qi Refining Second Layer?
The mortal servants of Chiyan Peak ranged from as young as fourteen or fifteen to as old as thirty or forty.
He had some impression of this youth before him; the boy should be under eighteen, yet was already at the Qi Refining Second Layer.
To cultivate while working as a mortal servant—quite impressive.
Jiang Yi spoke:
"I wish to report certain matters to the Overseer."
Yang Xun had never enjoyed idle chatter with mortal servants; with anyone else, he would have directly chased them off. But looking at Jiang Yi's youthful brow and somewhat dazed gaze, he found rare patience.
"Speak then. If you're asking for leave again, this old man absolutely won't permit it. The Quenching Workshop is short of hands; there's no room for rest."
Seeing that Jiang Yi had reached the Qi Refining Second Layer, Yang Xun was prejudiced into thinking the other wished to request leave to accumulate cultivation and consolidate his physique.
After all, the Qi Refining Twelve Heavenly Layers required extreme effort to advance even one step. One had to cherish every rare opportunity to solidify one's foundation.
Jiang Yi first bowed, then stated in neither an overbearing nor servile manner, with clear logic:
"Reporting to the Overseer, Jiang Yi does not wish to request leave. Having worked diligently these days, I am often responsible for fanning the flames. I discovered that the quality of bone materials varies. Sometimes when the fire is too fierce, the bone materials crack and shatter; yet when the fire is too small, there is too much impurity, causing them to break easily during carving."
Yang Xun's face twitched slightly, his gaze sharp as he shot Jiang Yi a sidelong glance:
"You are quite meticulous and observant. You're not wrong. The bone materials in the Quenching Workshop often yield only twenty percent from ten; the problem lies in 'controlling the fire."
"So this is the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining?"
Jiang Yi's entire body tensed, as though struck by electricity.
In that instant just now, Yang Xun lying in the rocking chair had been like a ferocious mountain condor wreathed in fierce flames, making one's heart palpitate with panic.
"This child does possess some calm composure. A pity he's only a mortal servant."
Yang Xun's thoughts churned. He sat up slightly, grabbed a handful of dried fruit from the side, and slowly chewed:
"The most prized mortal servants in the Quenching Workshop are veteran hands who understand fire control. But even after working for over a decade, many still cannot quite grasp the proper measure.
Moreover, one or two veterans won't speed up production by much. Ultimately, the bone materials vary in quality and are hard to judge. After four hours of bitter labor, barely managing to avoid mistakes counts as quite dedicated."
Yang Xun made another deduction, concluding that Jiang Yi had come to show off and curry favor.
At this thought, the little patience this Quenching Workshop overseer had rapidly faded, and he waved his hand to dismiss the other.
"What the Overseer says is absolutely correct. Veterans who understand fire control can at most make the work slightly easier; they cannot truly affect the speed of production in the Quenching Workshop."
Before Yang Xun could open his mouth, Jiang Yi hurriedly said:
"To be honest with the Overseer, when I was below the mountain, I enjoyed miscellaneous studies and read many related books.
Among them was a certain *Miscellany of Firecraft*, which I remember especially clearly. It once described a kind of 'catalytic technique' that could stabilize flame temperature steadily and make it easier to burn away impurities..."
Yang Xun turned his head, finally looking directly at Jiang Yi.
His attitude changed, seeming to show interest:
"Oh? Explain in detail."
Success!
The first step toward becoming a valued person!
Jiang Yi held his breath and focused his mind, slowly articulating the "secret recipe" shown by the Heavenly Tome:
"The book states that if one takes Coldwater Stone and Gray Phosphorus Powder in a three-to-one mixture, it can steady the flames without haste or impatience.
I thought deeply on this, combining it with work observations and accumulated experience, and made slight modifications.
If every time a furnace is opened, one first draws fire and fans wind to preheat for a quarter-hour, then introduces the prepared catalytic substance to the bottom, it should increase the qualification rate of bone materials by around thirty percent."
Yang Xun had managed the Quenching Workshop for a full thirty years and was intimately familiar with every procedure of the three workshops.
With one listen, he knew the "secret recipe" Jiang Yi offered was not nonsense. His eyes immediately brightened.
"Coldwater Stone, Gray Phosphorus Powder—these materials aren't hard to gather."
The appreciation in Yang Xun's eyes grew increasingly rich, mixed with a trace of surprise and scrutiny.
If this method worked, not only would quenching efficiency improve, but because the flames would be steadier, the finished bone stock would certainly rise in quality.
All in all, this was a good thing!
The more Yang Xun thought, the more excited he became. He hurriedly rose, intending to try it out.
He patted Jiang Yi on the shoulder—this was the first time he had made an intimate gesture toward a mortal servant:
"Good, very good! Jiang Yi, you are meticulous and willing to use your brain! A useful talent!"
Jiang Yi's mouth twitched. These words didn't sound very nice, but in the Demonic Path, they truly counted as praise.
The Demonic Path lineage did not support idlers!
One had to be useful first before rising up!
"If this method is truly effective, this old man certainly won't mistreat you... What do you want?"
Yang Xun stared straight at Jiang Yi, asking in a flat tone:
"Offering a secret recipe—according to sect rules, the reward ranges from twenty to fifty thousand talisman coins. Rest assured, this old man won't embezzle them.
Additionally, I am also willing to promote you, raise you to the position of 'Inspector,' and keep you in the Quenching Workshop from now on, no longer needing to fan flames or add charcoal."
Huo!
Jiang Yi displayed gratitude at just the right moment, his attitude respectful:
"I only wish to share the Overseer's burdens; I do not seek much reward."
Yang Xun was startled upon hearing this. Given his experience, he naturally recognized this as insincere flattery.
Yet strangely, coming from this youth before him, there wasn't the slightest sycophantic air or obsequious intent; instead, it felt comfortable and pleasing.
"You brat have quite a sweet tongue. Don't celebrate too early. Whether this method works still needs testing."
Yang Xun's face was cold, his words hard, but his attitude was much better than before.
"Alright, you may withdraw. Return to the Quenching Workshop at the second mark of the Hai hour."
Before taking his leave, Jiang Yi mustered his courage and said:
"Overseer, could you reward me with some dried fruit? Heh, I've loved sweets since childhood, especially dried lychees."
Yang Xun froze, seemingly surprised, yet his tone inexplicably softened:
"You also like dried lychees? Take them. These were personally made by this old man, selecting fresh lychees from the Southern Ridges, sun-dried, then sealed in a jar for a hundred days... Bah, why am I telling you all this?"
Jiang Yi cupped the handful of dried lychees in both hands, yet said:
"Reporting to the Overseer, I know how difficult these dried lychees are to make. Not only must they be sun-dried, but they must also be baked twice over a smokeless charcoal fire, only then will their fragrant flavor be preserved."
Yang Xun fixed his gaze on the gray-robed Dao youth. That fierce expression actually changed, revealing a hint of kindness.
"How do you know?"
Jiang Yi's eyes were clear as he smiled shyly:
"I've been gluttonous since I was small. Before entering the sect, when I was still below the mountain, Grandfather often made dried lychees to satisfy my cravings."
Yang Xun uttered an "Oh," murmuring:
"So that's how it is, so that's how it is."
Jiang Yi was overjoyed, just like a child who had received New Year's money during the holidays, and quickly went downstairs.
Only Yang Xun remained motionless, as though lost in some memory.
"Master!"
It wasn't until the attendant who served his daily needs called out that he suddenly startled awake.
"How could it be... so similar."
Yang Xun lowered his head as though fearing the cold, hands tucked into his sleeves.
"Could it truly be fate?"
...
...
"When people interact, first impressions matter most! Especially when those above look at those below, what counts is being 'pleasing to the eye!'
I wonder how pleasing to the eye Overseer Yang finds me..."
Jiang Yi thought of the earnest teachings of his old leader from his previous life, sending a dried lychee into his mouth and carefully savoring its sweetness.
His steps were swift, treading across the snow, and in a moment he reached the large communal courtyard at the mountainside.
He Lao Hun called out:
"Brother Yi, what were you talking about with Old Man Yang? I saw you staying on the second floor for a long time."
He had been assigned to the Quenching Workshop today and had wanted to go with Jiang Yi, but he hadn't waited for him even after a long while.
"We didn't talk about much. Just got a handful of dried lychees. Brother He, want to try?"
Jiang Yi did not widely publicize his impending "promotion."
Going from a "common laborer" to a "quality inspector" wasn't much of a raise.
At most, the work would be easier with more free time, but there was still quite a distance from entering the Inner Sect.
One might say, "Having succeeded in reaching the shore is not yet accomplished; I still need to strive!"
"Tsk, tastes pretty good! Did Old Man Yang change his temperament? I heard the Inner Sect is pressing hard, and the overseers of the outer peaks are complaining a lot. The mortal servants below are working themselves dizzy."
He Lao Hun scrubbed his scalding face with cold water:
"The end of the month is hard to endure... who knows how many mortal servants will be worn out. These days are getting harder to live!"
Jiang Yi looked around. In the large courtyard, it was just him and He Lao Hun. Old Li's family and Widow Qin hadn't finished work yet; presumably they were rushing to "work overtime."
"Brother Yi, are you hungry? Shall we get some food?"
"I'm fine, I'll rest a bit first."
"Alright then, I'll go scrounge a full meal. Tomorrow I have to do five or six hours of bitter labor; I'm about to collapse."
"Brother He, if you have time, help me bring a pot of Sweet-aftertaste Vine Tea, the older the vintage the better!"
"That stuff is bitter and astringent, like drinking medicine. You can actually swallow it? I don't understand your taste!"
He Lao Hun muttered to himself as he went out, while Jiang Yi returned to his tiny dark hovel like a livestock stall.
"Fortunately, I have the Heavenly Tome in hand."
Jiang Yi closed his eyes, silently reviewing today's words and actions, feeling he had made no mistakes.
Golden pages floated past displaying several queries.
【I respectfully beseech the Heavenly Tome, reveal to me the secret recipe for improving the smelting of bone materials】
【Derivation result: Take Coldwater Stone, Gray Phosphorus Powder, Pagoda Tree Wood Core...】
***
【I respectfully beseech the Heavenly Tome, reveal to me the life of Yang Xun, overseer of Chiyan Peak's Quenching Workshop】
【Derivation result: Yang Xun, from the Lujiang region, son of a former military officer on the borders of Zhao State, born of a collateral branch of his village clan, entered the Qianji Sect of the Demonic Path lineage...】
***
【I respectfully beseech the Heavenly Tome, reveal to me the obsessions and current worries in the heart of Overseer Yang Xun of Chiyan Peak】
【Derivation result: Fierce without but timid within, also having experienced the pain of losing a son...】
***
【I respectfully beseech the Heavenly Tome, reveal to me actions that can earn the goodwill of Overseer Yang Xun of Chiyan Peak】
【Derivation result: He rejects exaggeration and slickness, appreciates steadiness and pragmatism, is fond of snacks and food. If one reveals more of a youthful side, innocence and immaturity...】
Jiang Yi carefully reviewed what the Heavenly Tome had shown, comparing it with himself, and confirmed he hadn't overdone it before feeling at ease.
"It wasn't a waste of these past few days of derivation time."
Since the causal debt had already been settled, Jiang Yi simply proceeded with today's final query.
【I respectfully beseech the Heavenly Tome, reveal to me the progress of my current cultivation】
【Derivation time: ten breaths】
【Derivation results are as follows】
【Heavenly Tome Fated Master: Jiang Yi】
【Realm: Qi Refining Second Layer (seventy-seven percent)】
【Cultivation Methods: *Orthodox Meridian Qi Circulation Art* (unranked), *Minor Forging Origin Fire Control Art* (Ninth Rank)】
"Seventy-seven percent, not far from the Qi Refining Third Layer."
Jiang Yi immediately felt reassured. Presumably he should be able to break through before winter set in.
P.S.: I earnestly beseech my reader lords to vote and bookmark! Getting contracted this week—watch me use updates to stuff you full!