Chapter 471: Path

Bang!

The windbreaker man's corpse fell to the ground, his face already a blur.

"There's a strange feeling... Transcendentalist? Belonging to some hidden force? Most likely sent by that good mentor of mine."

Fang Xing sneered.

It was precisely because of this guess, knowing there was a big fish, that he was too lazy to leave a living mouth for interrogation.

However, at this time, searching the corpse was still necessary.

He squatted down, searched the windbreaker man's body, and found 34 Black Sols and 17 Rubies, all packed in a silk wallet.

Besides that, there was that revolver, also a Black Snake Type II, looking better maintained than the one in Fang Xing's hand.

Finally, there were a few small bottles.

Fang Xing opened and smelled them, finding one bottle was an anesthetic agent similar to ether, and the other had a pungent smell, which should be an antidote type.

"Are the members of this mysterious society so down-to-earth?"

"I thought I could find some 'holy relics,' 'charms,' etc., but the result is only firearms, drugs, and a little money... What is the difference between this and ordinary kidnappers?"

Fang Xing complained.

Although, with his steel physique, not to mention drugs, even if a revolver was fired at his head, he could basically be safe and sound.

"Forget it... better to go find my good mentor and have a chat."

Night.

Monachi finished the day's classes and returned to the villa he rented around the Mechanical Academy.

Compared to Fang Xing, a poor student, as a mentor of the Mechanical Academy, his salary was exceptionally generous, enough to support him in living a relatively decent life.

The villa was not small and came with a small garden.

In the garden, the most planted were rosemary and wormwood.

Fang Xing had also visited a few times and knew that this mentor was unmarried, believed in celibacy, and did not hire a maid, but was registered with the "City Housekeeping Service Association," letting them send cleaners to clean up every once in a while.

Originally, he thought the other party had a lonely personality.

But now it seems, it was entirely to provide cover for private secret society activities.

Monachi arrived at the small villa, took out a brass key, and opened the door.

He was preparing to turn the switch of the gas lamp, when a cold gun barrel suddenly pressed against the back of his head: "Don't move!"

Monachi shuddered, obediently raising his hands: "Sir... I haven't seen your face; if you need money, in the second drawer of the mahogany table in my study, there are 1000 Black Sols..."

Crack!

The gas lamp was turned on, and the bright, soft light fell.

"From your heartbeat and breathing... you recognized me a long time ago, didn't you, Mentor Monachi?"

Fang Xing didn't hide it, letting Monachi, who turned around, show a bitter smile on his face.

"Yes, but I don't know why..." Monachi's face was full of bitter smiles: "Fang Xing... you have a good future, think about your friends, think about your family... if you have difficulties, just speak up, and I will do my best to help you."

"Future, friends, family... I don't care at all." Fang Xing sneered.

Monachi's heart sank instantly.

He mentioned these just to make Fang Xing have some scruples, but he didn't expect that this student had become so strange... even cold-blooded!

He actually had never truly known this good student.

"That "The Beauty of Machinery," was it sent to me by you on purpose?"

Fang Xing held the gun barrel against Monachi's head, as if he would pull the trigger at any time: "And that person who was watching me... was also sent by you."

"I don't understand what you mean..."

Monachi's expression was puzzled, performing flawlessly.

Bang!

Answering him was Fang Xing twisting his wrist and giving Monachi's head a hit with the gun butt.

Monachi felt his head had been hit by a hammer, his whole body was dizzy, and even a line of blood flowed down... from the corner of his eye, bridge of his nose, all the way to his mouth; he licked it and found the taste very fishy and salty.

"Do you think I would still believe it?"

Fang Xing sneered, but felt very disappointed in his heart.

According to his guess, this Monachi, even if not the leader of this mysterious force, was at least a middle-level member!

The result... is just this?

Physique, spirit, there is no difference from ordinary people, and there is no special ability.

Fang Xing was even prepared to shoot the other party in the head and then have the other party turn into a flesh-and-blood monster.

The result was... this Monachi, just like a real ordinary person!

No!

After tasting his own blood, Monachi showed a trace of fanaticism on his face, and the corners of his mouth split: "It seems you are determined to eat me, so... Fang Xing, my good student, what do you want to do?"

"Mystery, transcendence... I saw that forest, I saw that door..."

Fang Xing's eyes were also filled with eagerness and craving: "I need... I need more... what exactly is that?" He urgently needed a guide in occultism.

This kind of fanaticism was naturally faked.

However, if it were an ordinary person entering that Inner World for the first time, they would indeed become fanatical and irrational.

"You went in... that forest?"

Monachi was somewhat surprised: "Your talent in 'Mechanical' is indeed beyond my expectations... actually becoming a 'Wanderer' upon first contact with the classics!"

"Mechanical? Wanderer?"

Fang Xing's heart moved.

"There are six paths of transcendence, 'Mechanical' is one of them... transcendentalists who wander on the edge of the forest and cannot enter the 'Gate of Indeterminacy,' we call them 'Wanderers,' 'Apprentices'..."

Monachi's voice was low: "Only by passing through the 'Gate of Indeterminacy' can one be a true 'Transcendentalist,' with changes in body and mind, mastering mysterious power... I spent three full years back then, constantly approaching that Forest of Hunger in dreams, and spent another two years before I could see the 'Gate of Indeterminacy'... but I couldn't meet the offerings required by the gatekeeper spirit, so I could only wander outside the door..."

'Damn it... who understands this? I thought I provoked a powerful hidden society, but found they are even weaker than me!'

Fang Xing didn't know how to complain.

Although he had long known that the transcendence of this world was declining, he didn't expect it to reach this point.

'It's not right, maybe it's just that the sect Monachi is in is very weak...'

'Besides, even those sects without mysterious power can deceive believers into bankruptcy, or even death... now that there is truly a trace of transcendental power... even if it's just a glimpse in a dream, it's enough to prove many things, and believers will naturally be more fanatical, and pulling up a small group can be understood.'

Fang Xing calculated quickly and continued to interrogate: "So... you found me?"

"Yes, a sacrifice can allow a Wanderer to enter the Gate of Indeterminacy and become a true 'Transcendentalist'! This is the experience of our 'Mechanical Ring'."

Monachi seemed to say somewhat eagerly.

"Mechanical Ring, which is to say, there is a true 'Transcendentalist' among you! Still one on the 'Mechanical Path'... Besides the Mechanical Path, are there other mysterious paths?"

Fang Xing's comprehension ability was very strong.

"Not bad, the true transcendentalist who masters transcendental power is our leader—'Silver Ring'..." Monachi sighed: "As for paths other than the Mechanical Path, I don't know much, only that there are 'Blood,' 'Stone'... the Blood Path specializes in the way of flesh and blood, while the Stone Path specializes in change, and there are many legends of 'Philosopher's Stones' that turn stone into gold..."

"Very good, you are very cooperative."

Fang Xing still pointed the gun barrel at Monachi.

It has to be said that this revolver is easy to use, at least the deterrent power is strong.

Although his fists were stronger than artillery fire, Monachi didn't know.

If he raised his fist, it wouldn't be as good as holding the gun head against the other party's forehead; wouldn't that be much more cooperative?

"I admit... I had some bad ideas at first, but I have repented. I truly value your talent and want to absorb you into my organization... We can explore mystery, pursue transcendence, and forge the most perfect machinery together..."

Monachi said sincerely.

Fang Xing couldn't help but be silent, then opened his mouth: "That "The Beauty of Machinery," are there other transcendental classics?"

Clearly, he was not prepared to join, but he still craved mystery! Craved transcendence!

"Of course, I have another one in my hand, which is a true advanced theory. It's in my study." Monachi nodded repeatedly.

"Take me there!"

Fang Xing opened his mouth, followed Monachi to his study, and watched Monachi walk toward the desk very naturally.

"I set up a small mechanism here to deal with possible searches."

Monachi explained while turning the ink bottle on the desk.

After a few regular turns, the wall next to it suddenly opened, revealing a secret compartment.

In the secret compartment, there was only a pitch-black notebook and a golden fountain pen that seemed to be used for taking notes.

"This is the classic I copied from the leader—"The Way of Mechanical Wonders"..."

Monachi introduced while picking up the black notebook and the golden fountain pen.

He handed the black notebook to Fang Xing, while playing with the golden fountain pen in his hand, and put on the cap.

Bang!

Suddenly!

A flash of fire.

This golden fountain pen, which looked ordinary, was actually an exquisite mechanical creation, and a disguised firearm!

Although there was only one bullet, at a critical moment, it was enough to reverse the situation!

A hideous smile appeared on Monachi's face.

The transcendentalist of the Mechanical Path specializes in making all kinds of precision instruments, and this "firearm pen" was specially rewarded to him by the leader as a reward for a meritorious service.

This time, it really had a miraculous effect.

But his smile soon froze, because Fang Xing, who was expected to be shot in the head by the firearm pen, didn't even take a step back.

His skin on his forehead turned dark blue, he grabbed his forehead with his fingers, and dug out a flattened brass shell: "Oh? A firearm disguised as a fountain pen? It's quite creative..."

Second update later

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 472 =====