Planting landmines, spreading Agent Orange, releasing poison gas, burning the earth...
Of course, things are done in the dirtiest way possible!
So now the problem arises—if the fall wasn't entirely the work of Elder Anvil, who supported these activities while Elder Anvil and the Heavenly Furnace were engaged in their intricate sches?
"You an Bei Gong?"
"Based on current analysis, it's highly likely."
Jiang Tongguang nodded.
Ji Jue imdiately understood.
The simplest thod of elimination: among the three You Sui You Sui Craftsn, one spot is taken by Elder Anvil, leaving only Bei Gong or Jian Yuan.
But if Jian Yuan were involved, wouldn't the Heavenly Furnace notice? They've been sect brothers for so many years through life and death three tis; if they lacked that insight, they might as well abandon the title of Heavenly Furnace and be called old dogs!
Besides, given Jian Yuan's arrogance and possessiveness, he wouldn't look kindly on projects thrown by others; he always forms his own teams and seeks his own topics.
Even with the Evil Cult, it was only a limited partnership. Why would Elder Anvil make him submit and hide in the shadows?
If it were truly him, he'd have already declared himself and challenged the Heavenly Furnace one-on-one!
So, the biggest remaining possibility is only one.
Once baited into becoming a target by the Heavenly Furnace and Jiang Tongguang, then brutally struck by three Grandmasters, after hiding for so many years, finally making a coback seeking revenge!
"Sounds very challenging," Ji Jue remarked.
"You need to understand sothing; this isn't a challenge—it's a dead end."
Jiang Tongguang solemnly reminded him: "All of this is ultimately just speculation, and there's a significant risk it could be a bait thrown by Elder Anvil, with unpredictable risks, and even if you succeed, your actions cannot be acknowledged.
Once you put on the mask, you are no longer yourself.
Not even part of the Association...
Even more seriously, even if everyone involved dies, the Association will not react; there will be no funeral if we lose, and no recognition if we succeed.
If no evidence is found, or if it's a trap by You Sui You Sui, the Association will definitely not acknowledge your actions!
This matter, from start to finish, is solely my decision!"
"Ah, I get it, I really get it!"
Ji Jue listened, nodding continually with admiration: Such matters, he never heard about from Lu Feng. Even with all the dirty work he's done for the Federation, if he miraculously retires, the comndation he gets on paper is just a worthless standard rit badge given to everyone.
Indeed, it is the Association, inclusive and accommodating, absorbing all the Federation and Empire's dregs.
Success doesn't make a revolution, but failure makes a traitor absolutely.
The essence of acting alone without directives has been learned thoroughly!
"This foray into You Sui You Sui guarantees death and no survival; even if everything proceeds smoothly, any mishaps an abandonnt."
He drank alone; after finishing his last glass, he slowly pushed another small box across the table.
"This is the security chanism of the Majestic Hall—the Dragon Palace Box."
Jiang Tongguang looked at him: "As long as you open this box, everything that happens here will be erased, and nothing will ever have existed; you will return to your hospital bed, open your eyes again, rember nothing, as if nothing ever happened.
You still have a chance to regret, Ji Jue."
"Why regret?"
Ji Jue countered, without a second thought, then pushed the box back.
He said, "Count in."
Why ask so many questions, isn't it just a scholarly seminar?
Don't delay my chance to exchange academia with peers and progress together!
Talk about it with my Dissociation Technique!
.
The doors of the Majestic Hall closed again; in the silence, only Jiang Tongguang drank alone, opening another bottle of vintage, suddenly asking:
"Are you sure you don't want so? It's a sha."
"Forget it, I have a eting later, I need to stay sharp."
Gustav's voice ca from the other end of the long table, where the figure of the Councilman appeared, serenely lifting a teacup, quietly witnessing the whole scene.
Jiang Tongguang looked over: "Are you sure you don't want to ask about Zhi Fu?"
"Ask what? Even if I asked, then what? Better not to ask."
"What about the council's side?"
"I'll vouch for it," Gustav said: "If there's a problem, they can ask ; let the petty squabbles end here with ."
Jiang Tongguang laughed imdiately, sighing lightly: "You've learned to stick close to the Heavenly Furnace Master's footsteps, smart of you, Old Gu."
"..."
Gustav didn't speak; after a long ti, he sighed lightly: "As a craftsman, pursuing the Heavenly Furnace is natural, but where does the Master of the Heavenly Furnace ultimately want to go?"
"Are you afraid?"
"Sowhat, it's beco a habit."
"You've gotten old, Gustav."
"Indeed."
Gustav leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes wearily: "Before becoming Councilman, I thought every day about vigorous reform, bold and drastic asures.
But once sitting in this position, sowhat I understood Delong... For him, perhaps he had done the best he could?"
Even after all these years, the label in everyone's hearts was nothing but incompetent.
But is incompetence bad?
Behind incompetence, what lies?
Anyone sitting in this position will understand the place and power of the Taiyi Ring—not because of inability, but because one can't help but accomplish everything they can!
It seems as if one could intervene in everything under the sun, with countless matters awaiting one's decision, but then what? What cos next? Can everything that unfolds truly be controlled?
Thus, fear sets in, confusion arises, becoming lost.
Sotis, even with seventy percent assurance, one must worry about the remaining thirty percent.
Compared to the possibility of falling into an abyss, it's preferable to maintain the present.
"Cautious and fretful, treading on thin ice, ever watchful, seeing shadows in the day."
Gustav smirked self-deprecatingly: "As it turned out, looking back, I found myself unconsciously staying in place... becoming a Councilman, doing what a Councilman should do, nothing more.
Those wishing to push forward are gradually leaving behind."
"Regrettable, isn't it?"
Jiang Tongguang gazed over: "Why not end it after this term? Four or five years pass swiftly, then continue focusing on your direction, wouldn't that be better?"
"But besides , who else is there?"
Gustav retorted: "Switch to whom? Who could do better? Besides , who else is more suitable?"
"Even if left behind?"
"Staying put is quite alright."
Gustav lowered his gaze, looking at his reflection in the tea, smiling freely after a long while: "Even if I can't catch up, it's okay for to stay put, allowing more people to overtake , moving forward. Isn't it pretty good when thinking like this?"
In the cup, the amber tea rippled, blurring the eyes in the reflection.
For so reason, what he rembered was rely a glimpse of those fleeting monts.
That day, in the Tower of Ten Thousand Flowers, the young man piloting his handmade rocket, cheerfully rushing towards outer space.
Not caring about others' scrutiny, unaffected by lofty assessnts, free, radiant.
When everything is in control, looking back, once again overseeing all things.
Such eyes...
Loathes everything, yet bears no hatred for this world.
Disgust at all, but still carrying a passion and genuine love.
Like a fla.
But such a fla, unbelievably, made the then-Gustav feel envious.
That little envy even made him feel ashad!
Only then did he realize, in pursuit of all before him, what he had sacrificed and forgotten.
But he does not regret.
As Councilman, he doesn't trust any craftsman's guarantee, but he's willing to trust such eyes.
Perhaps he would remain.
But that's fine.
As long as such young people can continue towards the future.
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