Chapter 480: The Path of Dao

Bang!

The man in the trench coat lay dead on the ground, his face a blurred mess.

"A strange feeling… an Exalted? Part of some secret faction? Probably sent by my dear mentor."

Fang Xing sneered.

Precisely because he suspected this, knowing there was still a bigger fish, he had no interest in leaving survivors to interrogate.

Still, looting the body was necessary.

He crouched down, searched the man's body, and found 34 Heisuo and 17 Lubi, all tucked inside a silk money pouch.

In addition, there was a revolver—also a Black Snake Type II—better maintained than the one Fang Xing carried.

Finally, several small vials.

Fang Xing opened one, sniffed it, and found one contained an anesthetic similar to ether, while the other had a sharp, pungent odor—likely an antidote.

"Are members of this secret society really this… down-to-earth?"

"I thought I'd find something like 'holy relics' or 'talismans,' but all I got was a gun, some drugs, and a little cash… what's the difference between this and a common kidnapper?"

Fang Xing muttered.

Though, with his steel-hard physique, even a revolver pointed at his head wouldn't faze him.

"Whatever… better go talk to my dear mentor."

…

Night.

Monachi finished his daily class and returned to the villa he rented near the Mechanical Academy.

Compared to Fang Xing, a poor student, Monachi's salary as a professor was exceptionally generous, enough to support a respectable lifestyle.

The villa was spacious, with a small garden attached.

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

Fang Xing had visited a few times and knew this mentor was unmarried, a celibate, had no maidservants, and instead registered with the 'Urban Housekeeping Service Association,' which sent cleaners periodically.

He had originally thought the man was just reclusive.

But now it was clear—it was all to conceal his secret society activities.

Monachi arrived at the villa, pulled out a brass key, and unlocked the door.

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

Monachi shuddered, raising both hands obediently: "Sir… I can't see your face. If you need money, there's a thousand Heisuo in the second drawer of the rosewood desk in my study…"

Click!

The gas lamp was turned on, casting a soft golden glow.

"From your heartbeat and breathing… you recognized me long ago, didn't you, Professor Monachi?"

Fang Xing made no effort to hide it; Monachi's face twisted into a bitter smile as he turned.

"Yes… but I don't understand why…" Monachi's face was etched with bitter amusement: "Fang Xing… you have a bright future. Think of your friends, think of your family… if you're in trouble, just say the word—I'll help you wholeheartedly."

"Future, friends, family… I couldn't care less," Fang Xing sneered.

Monachi's heart sank.

He mentioned these things hoping to make Fang Xing hesitate—but never imagined this student had become so alien… even cold-blooded!

He felt as if he had never truly known this good student at all.

"That book, 'The Beauty of Machinery,' was deliberately given to me, wasn't it?"

Fang Xing pressed the gun barrel against Monachi's skull as if ready to fire: "And the man tailing me—you sent him."

"I don't understand what you mean…"

Monachi's expression was genuinely puzzled, his performance flawless.

Bang!

In response, Fang Xing twisted his wrist and smashed the gun butt hard against Monachi's head.

Monachi felt as if a hammer had struck his skull; dizziness washed over him, and a thin line of blood trickled down—from his eye, across his nose, to his lip. He licked it—it tasted metallic and salty.

"Do you think I'd still believe you?"

Fang Xing sneered, though inside he was deeply disappointed.

He had guessed Monachi, even if not the head of this secret faction, was at least a mid-level member.

And yet… this?

His physical and mental stats were indistinguishable from an ordinary person's. No special abilities.

Fang Xing had even prepared to shoot him dead, expecting him to transform into a fleshy monster.

Instead… Monachi was just an ordinary man.

No!

After tasting his own blood, Monachi's face lit up with fanaticism, his lips curling: "So you've decided to kill me, then… Fang Xing, my good student, what do you plan to do?"

"Mystery, the Exalted… I saw that grove. I saw that door…"

Fang Xing's eyes gleamed with equal fervor and longing: "I need… I need more… what exactly is it?" He desperately needed a guide in the arcane.

This fanaticism was, of course, feigned.

But if an ordinary person first entered that Otherworld, they would indeed become fanatical and irrational.

"You entered… that grove?"

Monachi was surprised: "Your talent in the 'Machinery' Path exceeds my expectations… you became a 'Wanderer' after just one encounter with the scripture!"

"Machinery? Wanderer?"

Fang Xing's mind stirred.

"The Exalted Path has six branches; 'Machinery' is one… Those who linger at the edge of the endless grove, unable to enter the 'Gate of the Unfixed,' we call 'Wanderers' or 'Apprentices'…"

Monachi's voice was low: "Only those who pass through the 'Gate of the Unfixed' become true 'Exalted'—their body and mind change, gaining arcane power… I spent three years in constant dreams to approach the Hungering Grove, then another two to glimpse the 'Gate of the Unfixed'… but I could not meet the Gatekeeper's offering, so I've remained forever outside…"

'Damn it… who understands? I thought I'd tangled with some powerful secret society, but they're even weaker than me!'

Fang Xing didn't know how to voice his inner exasperation.

Though he'd long known the Exalted had declined, seeing it this far gone was still hard to imagine.

'Then again, maybe Monachi's sect is just weak…'

'Besides, even sects with no real arcane power can trick followers into bankrupting themselves—or dying. Now, with even a glimpse of true Exalted power, believers would be even more fanatical. Forming a small group is understandable.'

Fang Xing quickly calculated, continuing his interrogation: "So… you targeted me?"

"Yes. One offering allows only one Wanderer to enter the Gate of the Unfixed and become a true 'Exalted'—this is the experience of our 'Circlet of Marvelous Machinery.'"

Monachi sounded almost eager.

"Circlet of Marvelous Machinery… so you have a true 'Exalted' among you—one who walks the Machinery Path… besides Machinery, are there other arcane paths?"

Fang Xing understood quickly.

"Correct. The true Exalted who wields arcane power is our leader—the 'Silver Circlet'…" Monachi sighed: "As for other paths besides Machinery, I know little—only that there are 'Blood' and 'Stone'… Blood Path masters flesh arts; Stone Path masters transformation, with many legends of Philosopher's Stones that turn lead to gold…"

"Good. You're cooperating."

Fang Xing still held the gun barrel against Monachi.

I have to admit, this revolver was effective—its intimidation factor was undeniable.

Though his fists were stronger than artillery, Monachi didn't know that.

Holding up a fist was less effective than pressing a gun to his forehead—it made him far more compliant.

"I admit… I had ill intentions at first, but I've repented. I truly value your talent and wish to draw you into my organization… together we can explore the mysteries, pursue the Exalted, and forge the most perfect machinery…"

Monachi spoke sincerely.

Fang Xing fell silent, then asked: "Is there another book like 'The Beauty of Machinery'? Other Exalted scriptures?"

Clearly, he had no intention of joining—but he still craved mystery. Still craved the Exalted.

"Of course. I have another—true advanced doctrine—in my study." Monachi nodded eagerly.

"Take me there."

Fang Xing followed Monachi to his study, watching as Monachi walked naturally toward the desk.

"I've installed a small mechanism here to deter possible searches."

As he spoke, Monachi turned the inkwell on the desk.

After several deliberate rotations, a hidden compartment opened in the wall.

Inside lay only a black notebook and a golden pen, seemingly used for note-taking.

"This is the scripture I copied from our leader—'The Way of Marvelous Machinery'…"

Monachi introduced it, picking up the black notebook and golden pen.

He handed the notebook to Fang Xing, idly playing with the golden pen, pressing the cap.

Bang!

Suddenly!

A flash of fire.

The ordinary-looking golden pen was, in fact, a clever mechanical device—a disguised firearm!

Though it held only one bullet, at a critical moment, it was enough to turn the tide.

A cruel smile spread across Monachi's face.

Exalted of the Machinery Path excel at crafting intricate devices; this 'Pen-Firearm' was a special reward from our leader, given for past service.

This time, it worked perfectly.

But his smile quickly froze, for Fang Xing, who he had expected to be blown straight through the head by the firelock pen, had not taken a single step back.

His forehead skin turned bluish-black; he scraped his fingers across it and plucked out a flattened brass shell: "Huh? A gun disguised as a pen? Quite creative…"

The second update will come later.

(End of chapter)