"Besides, one or two veterans won't speed up production much. Ultimately, the Bone Materials are inconsistent and hard to judge. After eight hours of back-breaking work, simply avoiding any mistakes is already considered diligent enough."
Yang Xun came to a conclusion: Jiang Yi was here to show off, trying to make a good impression on him.
At this thought, what little patience the Marshal of the Quenching Room had quickly evaporated, and he raised a hand to dismiss the boy.
"What the Marshal says is absolutely right. A veteran's Fire Control might make their own work easier, but it can't truly affect the overall production speed of the Quenching Room."
Jiang Yi spoke quickly, cutting in before Yang Xun could open his mouth.
"To be honest with you, Marshal, back when I lived down the mountain, I had a fondness for miscellaneous knowledge and read quite a few related books.
One of them, a book called *Firework Miscellaneous Records*, I remember with particular clarity. It mentioned a 'Catalytic Skill' that could keep the flame's temperature stable and constant, making it easier to burn away impurities…"
Yang Xun turned his head, finally looking Jiang Yi straight in the eye.
His attitude shifted; he seemed to have taken an interest.
"Oh? Tell me more."
'Success!'
'The first step to becoming a valuable asset!'
Jiang Yi held his breath, composing himself, and began to slowly recount the "secret formula" revealed by the Celestial Book.
"The book states that if you mix Cold Water Stone and Ashen Phosphorus Powder in a three-to-one ratio, it will make the flame burn steadily, neither too fierce nor too weak.
I've given it a lot of thought, and based on my observations and experience from working, I've made a few slight modifications.
If, each time we start a furnace, we first light it and fan it to preheat for a quarter of an hour, then add the prepared catalytic substance to the bottom, it should increase the success rate for the Bone Material by about thirty percent."
Yang Xun had managed the Quenching Room for a full thirty years. He knew every step of the process in all three workshops like the back of his hand.
He knew at once that the "secret formula" Jiang Yi presented was no fabrication. His eyes lit up instantly.
"Cold Water Stone, Ashen Phosphorus Powder... those ingredients aren't hard to get ahold of."
The appreciation in Yang Xun's eyes deepened, now mixed with a hint of surprise and scrutiny.
'If this method works, not only will quenching efficiency improve, but with a more stable fire, the quality of the finished Bone Material will definitely be higher.'
'All in all, this is a good thing!'
The more Yang Xun thought about it, the more excited he became. He quickly stood up, intending to try it out.
He clapped Jiang Yi on the shoulder—the first time he had ever made such a familiar gesture toward a Mortal Servant.
"Good, very good! Jiang Yi, you're meticulous and willing to use your head! You're a useful man to have around!"
Jiang Yi's mouth twitched. The words didn't sound particularly pleasant, but in the Demon Dao, they certainly counted as praise.
'The Demon Dao Dharma Lineage doesn't support idle hands!'
'You have to be useful before you can get ahead!'
"If this method is truly effective, I certainly won't treat you unfairly... What do you want?"
Yang Xun stared intently at Jiang Yi, his tone flat as he asked:
"For presenting a secret formula, according to sect rules, you can be rewarded with anywhere from twenty to fifty thousand talisman-coins. Don't worry, I won't pocket it.
Furthermore, I'm also willing to give you a promotion. I'll make you an 'Inspector.' You can stay here in the Quenching Room from now on and won't have to fan fires or add charcoal anymore."
Woah!
Jiang Yi put on a perfectly calibrated expression of gratitude and said respectfully:
"I only wish to ease the Marshal's burdens. I don't seek any reward money."
Yang Xun was taken aback. With his experience, he could naturally tell it was insincere flattery.
But strangely, coming from this youth, it didn't feel fawning or sycophantic in the least. On the contrary, it was rather pleasant to hear.
"You've got a silver tongue, kid, but don't get ahead of yourself. We still have to see if this method actually works."
Yang Xun's expression was cold and his words were harsh, but his attitude was much better than before.
"Alright, you're dismissed for now. Come back to the Quenching Room at half past nine."
Before taking his leave, Jiang Yi worked up the courage to ask:
"Marshal, could you perhaps spare me some dried fruit? Hehe, I've had a sweet tooth since I was a kid, and I especially love dried lychees."
Yang Xun froze, seemingly surprised, but his tone softened inexplicably.
"You like dried lychees, too? Here, take them. I made these myself. Picked fresh lychees from Nanling, sun-dried them, and sealed them in a jar for a hundred days... Hah, why am I even telling you all this."
Jiang Yi cupped the handful of dried lychees in both hands and said:
"Marshal, I know these aren't easy to make. They don't just have to be sun-dried, they also need to be roasted twice over Smokeless Charcoal. That's the only way to preserve their fragrance and flavor."
Yang Xun stared intently at the boy in the dusty Daoist Robe. His fierce expression actually softened, revealing a hint of fatherly kindness.
"How do you know that?"
Jiang Yi's eyes were clear as he gave a bashful smile.
"I've always been a glutton. Before I joined the sect, back when I was still living down the mountain, my Grandpa used to make dried lychees for me as a treat."
Yang Xun let out a soft "Oh," and murmured:
"'I see, I see.'"
Overjoyed, Jiang Yi hurried downstairs like a child who'd just received a holiday bonus.
He left Yang Xun standing there, stunned and motionless, seemingly lost in a memory.
"Master!"
He didn't snap out of it until his attendant Daoist Child called his name.
"'How could... they be so similar.'"
Yang Xun lowered his head, tucking his hands into his sleeves as if against a chill.
"'Could it really be fate?'"
...
...
"'When people interact, that first impression is what matters most! Especially when a superior is sizing up a subordinate, the most important thing is whether they find you 'agreeable'!
I wonder how agreeable Marshal Yang finds me...'"
As Jiang Yi recalled the earnest teachings of his old boss from his past life, he popped a dried lychee into his mouth and savored its sweet fragrance.
His steps were quick as he crossed the snowy ground, and in no time, he reached the Big Mixed Courtyard halfway up the mountain.
He the Venerable called out to him:
"Brother Yi, what were you talking about with Old Yang? I saw you were on the second floor for a long time."
He had been assigned to the Quenching Room today and had planned to go with Jiang Yi, but ended up waiting for ages without seeing him.
"We didn't talk about much. I just got a handful of dried lychees out of him. Brother He, want to try one?"
Jiang Yi didn't broadcast the news of his impending "promotion."
Going from a "General Worker" to a "Quality Inspector" wasn't that big of a step up.
It just meant easier work and more free time. There was still a long way to go before he could enter the Inner Sect.
'It was, as they say, "Not out of the woods yet; I still need to keep trying!"'
"Tsk, this tastes pretty good! Did Old Yang have a change of heart? I heard the Inner Sect is putting on the pressure, all the Marshals on the Outer Peaks are complaining, and the Mortal Servants under them are so tired they're about to pass out."
He the Venerable splashed cold water on his flushed face.
"Getting through the end of the month will be tough... Who knows how many Mortal Servants we'll lose. Life is getting harder and harder!"
Jiang Yi glanced around. In the Big Mixed Courtyard, it was just him and He the Venerable. Old Li's family and Widow Qin hadn't gotten off work yet; they were probably stuck working "overtime."
"Brother Yi, are you hungry? Should we go get something to eat?"
"I'm fine, I'll rest for a bit first."
"Alright then, I'll go scrounge up a proper meal. I have to put in ten to twelve hours of hard labor tomorrow. I'm about to collapse."
"Brother He, if you have a chance, could you bring me back a pot of Sweet Return Vine Tea? An older vintage, if possible!"
"That stuff's bitter and astringent, like drinking medicine. You can actually stomach it? I'll never understand your tastes!"
Muttering to himself, He the Venerable headed out. Jiang Yi, meanwhile, returned to his little hovel of a room, no better than a shed for cattle and horses.
"'Fortunately, I have the Celestial Book.'"
Jiang Yi closed his eyes, silently reviewing the day's words and actions. He felt that he hadn't made any mistakes.
The golden paper floated before him, displaying several queries.
[I beg the Celestial Book to show me the secret formula for improving the refinement of Bone Material.]
[Deduction Result: Take Cold Water Stone, Ashen Phosphorus Powder, Locust Wood Core...]
***
[I beg the Celestial Book to show me the life story of Yang Xun, Marshal of the Quenching Room on Red Flame Peak.]
[Deduction Result: Yang Xun, son of a Border Military Officer from the former Zhao Country, born into a mortal military family. As a youth, his family was massacred by enemies, and he joined the Qianji Sect of the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage...]
***
[I beg the Celestial Book to show me the obsessions and current worries in the heart of Yang Xun, Marshal of Red Flame Peak.]
[Deduction Result: The man has a fierce exterior but is weak-willed inside, and has also suffered the pain of losing his son...]
***
[I beg the Celestial Book to show me the actions I can take to win the favor of Yang Xun, Marshal of Red Flame Peak.]
[Deduction Result: He dislikes ostentation and slickness, appreciates stability and pragmatism, and has a fondness for snacks. If one were to show a more youthful, pure, and naive side...]
Jiang Yi carefully reviewed the Celestial Book's revelations, comparing them against his own performance. He confirmed that he hadn't overplayed his hand, and only then did he relax.
"'The time I spent on deductions these past few days wasn't wasted.'"
Considering his karma had already been cleared, Jiang Yi decided to make one final query for the day.
[I beg the Celestial Book to show me the progress of my current Cultivation.]
[Deduction Time: 10 Breaths]
[Deduction Result is as follows]
[Master of the Celestial Book: Jiang Yi]
[Realm: Qi Cultivation Second Layer (77%)]
[Cultivation Techniques: *True Meridian Qi Flowing Technique* (Unranked), *Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique* (Ninth Grade)]
"'Seventy-seven percent... I'm not far from the Qi Cultivation Third Layer.'"
Jiang Yi felt a sense of relief. At this rate, he should be able to break through before winter arrived.