"You're a loyal kid. But he lives in the same workshop as you. Aren't you afraid of gossip if you give him a hand?"
Jiang Yi considered this for a moment before speaking carefully:
"I may be arrogant, but I am sworn to Cultivation and determined to make something of myself. Being an Inspector in the Quenching Room is like starting any path of Cultivation from Qi Cultivation—it's all about taking that first step outward.
Some people are content to spend their whole lives here, while others yearn for the view from greater heights.
What others say about me is of no consequence. As long as the Servant permits me to advance, I have nothing to fear."
'That's some good spirit.'
Yang Xun smacked his lips, but before he could speak, a pot of Sweet Return Vine Tea was offered to him.
Jiang Yi said softly,
"It's scorching in the Quenching Room, and the air is thick and dry. I saw that you enjoyed this tea yesterday, Servant, so I took the liberty of bringing more."
Yang Xun sighed. 'If only my own stubborn son had been half as sensible as Jiang Yi, they wouldn't have ended up estranged, and he wouldn't have died in the Hundred Beasts Cave.'
"Let me teach you something. Making people like the sight of you and feel comfortable around you—that's a skill you have. But don't overdo it. You have to get the balance just right.
This old man's time is almost up; I only have a few years left as a Servant. Have you ever considered what happens if you make me too comfortable? What if I can't bear to let you go to the Inner Sect?"
Jiang Yi froze for a second.
Yang Xun continued,
"In the Demon Dao Dharma Lineages, all the various sects and schools have rules to maintain order. But if you strip away all those regulations set by the higher-ups, underneath it all, it's just people eating people.
Your personality is good enough to get things done, but to truly make something of yourself—especially a great talent in the Demon Dao—it's still lacking."
Jiang Yi hadn't expected Yang Xun to suddenly say all this; it felt like a heart-to-heart talk.
Before he could figure out the most appropriate way to respond, the fierce-looking, white-haired old Servant in the black robe spoke again:
"But you're still young. Some things you'll only understand after you've seen more and thought them over.
Let's talk about the present. In the various workrooms of the Qianji Sect Outer Peak, every post is filled.
Now that you've taken the Inspector position in the Quenching Room, those Mortal Servants won't dare say much. But in the other two rooms on Red Flame Peak, someone will definitely come to test your mettle.
If you're easy to bully, then in the future, your rightful share of things will naturally be short-changed and just good enough to get by.
You work in the Quenching Room, so you of all people should understand that for good material to be forged into something useful, refining it with fire isn't enough. It must also be ground, carved, and hammered!
This old man has said his piece. The rest is up to you."
A chill ran through Jiang Yi's heart.
The feeling was very familiar.
'In my past life, this was exactly the attitude my old boss had when evaluating whether a "newcomer" trying to curry favor was useful and had what it takes.'
'He'd give you one specific problem to solve.'
'Succeed, and you'd be groomed for more!'
'Fail, and you'd be sent right back where you came from!'
'It looks like being an Inspector is going to bring a lot of trouble!'
Jiang Yi bowed with his hands clasped.
"I will take the Servant's teachings to heart!"
...
...
"You should have seen it! Brother Yi just swaggered right up to Old Yang, took the token, and became an Inspector!"
In the Big Mixed Courtyard, He the Venerable was excitedly and vividly recounting the "big event" that had happened in the Quenching Room to Widow Qin and the Li Family.
Old Li said drily,
"Brother Yi is really something else!"
In his eyes, an Inspector didn't have to slave away at work every day and could even get four or five thousand talisman coins a month.
It was like the Cattle and Horses had finally risen up!
"Isn't that the truth? I could tell long ago that Brother Yi wasn't a fish meant for a small pond. He never should have gotten tangled up with Miss Luo!"
Spittle flew everywhere as He the Venerable spoke. Widow Qin dodged away in disgust and looked up toward the courtyard gate.
"Where's Brother Yi? On such a joyous occasion, how come we don't see him?"
He the Venerable's tone was complicated as he said sourly,
"He's a newly appointed official, so he has a lot of social obligations! When I was clocking out, I heard that Zhang San from the Grinding and Carving Room and Dong Si from the Forging Room were both going to invite Brother Yi to eat!"
Widow Qin shot him a sideways glance and said irritably,
"Didn't you just say Brother Yi told us to go to the Ice and Fire Cave? Since he said that, why would he go back on his word!"
He the Venerable said sullenly,
"It's hard to say. Sister Qin, have you ever seen a phoenix that's flown out of a chicken coop be willing to land back in it?
Even if Brother Yi does treat us to a meal, I'm afraid it'll be a farewell dinner."
As soon as he said this, the Big Mixed Courtyard fell silent.
"If we're not going to the Ice and Fire Cave, we should start cooking soon…"
Old Li's wife broke the silence. Regardless of whether Brother Yi's intentions were good or bad, whether he was climbing to greater heights or sinking low, life had to go on, and they still had to eat.
Before she could get up, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside the Big Mixed Courtyard.
Jiang Yi, wrapped in a cotton Daoist Robe, stepped over the threshold and called out,
"Brother He, Sister Qin, and Brother Li, Eldest Sister-in-law Li! I just reserved a table at the Ice and Fire Cave. The waiter said they got lucky today and managed to get two Spiritual Birds—Flower-tailed Grouse!
One's being stewed and the other is being roasted. They're all ready, so let's head over quickly!"
Everyone sitting in the courtyard was stunned. They stared blankly at Jiang Yi for a moment, then looked at each other and burst into loud laughter.
Brother Yi was still the same old Brother Yi!
...
...
In a large, tile-roofed house in the Yi-Class Workshop.
CRACK!
An exquisite porcelain cup was smashed to pieces!
"That brat's not even fully grown, and now that he's an Inspector, he's already putting on airs! If he ever becomes a Servant, his tail will be pointing to the heavens!"
The one cursing up a storm was extremely hot-tempered. He had a dark, grimy face, disheveled hair, and a brutish air about him—clearly not someone to be trifled with.
"Younger Brother Dong, why get so angry? The kid offered up a very useful secret formula. Is there anyone in the three workshops of Red Flame Peak who isn't grateful to him?"
The other man had bright, piercing eyes and brows that slanted downwards. Compared to the brute across from him, he appeared rather dignified and imposing.
"Put yourself in his shoes. If you were seventeen or eighteen and a Servant promoted you to Inspector, how would you act? A little arrogance is only normal."
The two men occupied a square table, upon which sat a copper pot over a charcoal stove. It was steaming hot, the milky-white broth bubbling away.