Alchemy Trade
Ciemnosc was now situated quite a few meters away from both the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect and the Eagerburning Flames Sect's entourages. He was also, at the same time, having a little face-to-face conversation with the pastor of the Moribund Yearning Cult, who seemingly treated him as equal despite the more than clear disparity between the two of them. While his entourage was right behind him.
“Then, Sr Pastor of the cult. Seeing that we could have just met some months ago but in the end, couldn’t, and seeing how flexible and amazing the cult is, I decided a very good price with reasonable ‘discounts’ for your cult.” Ciemnosc said, his hands gesturing a few times in front of his chest but still looking quite like a child.
“Hmm hmm. Then, what are your thoughts, little Ciemnosc?” At ease, the pastor of the cult answered, letting the boy get quite directly to the point, which he indeed did as hinted.
“Since it is the cult we are talking about, then how about 100,000 Inferior grade Powerful Stones, 100 tons of resources that everyone knows the cult is easily able to gain, and a truce for a week and a half after I go back to the port mission?” Ciemnosc then began, his offer quite simple and his ‘ambitions’ being there but just not that high up, in appearance.
“For each one of them?” The pastor thought for a little bit, before asking once more with his eyebrows raising slightly. To which Ciemnosc bowed a little and explained with a very honest and eager demeanor. “Of course not! For all of them, besides that, I’ll also include a few weapons that I myself already know about that are also from the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect.”
“...!” Hearing the first part was already good enough, pastor Erquiles was about to immediately say yes or perhaps obviously yes, but he then heard those next words from the boy and became excited. Yet, he wasn’t a child, like Ciemnosc, so he went further to make the one and only child around in this grand hall explain well.
“What do you mean by that, little Ciemnosc? And… How am I to know you won’t go back on your words once you’re in the safety of the hands of your sect?” Pastor Erquiles’s questioning was quick and concise, nothing of the dramatic sort and much less of an indirect nurture to Ciemnosc’s comfort.
“I meant exactly what I said, pastor.” Ciemnosc bowed a little once more, showing his sincerity as soon as the pastor’s words were finished, and added, “The blueprints for these weapons aren’t at the same level as the ones that your people might already know that belong to my armored car. However, they are good, and they are improved versions of artillery or even versions of the same as cannons that…can be very well used in these ships.”
“...” Seeing the boy show the ‘locked’ blueprints once more, pastor Erquiles looked at them longingly, thinking that the price for all of this was too low, but the intentions behind it were too much there without anything being hidden. Since it seemed like Ciemnosc was a good boy, the pastor decided to see if he could cheat him; thus.
“This is almost a deal for me, for us, for the entire Moribund Yearning Cut, little Ciemnosc.” Pastor Erquiles began, putting his hands on the sides of his belly as he tsked and looked at a corner of the ceiling with his head cocked rightwards,” But Ciemnosc… Isn’t it a bit too high in the price? Couldn’t you lower it for the organization that simply failed to catch your attention soon enough and let you into our own true family unlike that of this sect?”
“...Pastor Erquiles, though you are correct, the thing is… I can’t lower it anymore or else I would only be losing a lot for some benefits and that’s all, I can’t do that.” Ciemnosc ‘went silent’ for a while before ‘gathering’ his courage and facing off the pastor, his tone unshakable but his eyes were visible moving differently to the proposal from the pastor.
But the pastor didn’t surrender. He immediately sighed notoriously low before continuing in the same manner, “But little Ciemnosc, I’m sure lowering them a bit more wouldn’t be so strange at this point, just a little more? How about it, eh?”
“Pastor, I’ve already lowered it a lot, from 300,000 to 100,000 Inferior grade Powerful Stones, then from 400 to 500 tons to 100 tons of resources and from 2 months of a truce to a week and a half of truce. Isn’t that a lot already?” Ciemnosc didn’t even blink as he began answering.
“Don’t keep on pushing me, respected pastor. For if you do, we might need to speak at another time to clear out the deal. Then, if you’ll excuse, respected pastor, I-” Ciemnosc bowed semi-deeply once, clasping his hands even before starting to say while turning around.
“Wait!” But as the boy was speaking, the pastor, strong and knowledgeable, directly felt the hotness on his face of trying to con a child just in his first deal; or at least it was supposed to be like that. He interrupted the boy and then almost placed his hand on the boy’s right shoulder before stopping and retracting it; his voice agreeing at last.
“The price is more than fine, little Ciemnosc. Let’s speak of the miscellaneous, bothersome tasks now. What do you think?”
Hearing his voice and those words, Ciemnosc grinned a bit and, without hiding it, he turned around to face the proud, greedy middle-aged man almost looking kinda old, and nodded. “Of course! I’m glad we could decide this so soon after beginning.”
Not quite comprehending that he just accepted a deal without much discussion and from a little kid whose hair hasn’t even grown yet, but possibly in other ‘features’ instead— cough, cough, cough —, pastor Erquiles nodded back and together began to speak of the boring shit…
…A few minutes later, just as the Eagerburning Flames Sect were just a tad too eager to discuss the deal, especially after seeing what appeared to be an actual major organization yielding to a little boy for the sake of their future’s progress.
Just as they began feeling like they could no longer have a good deal and even more so after Ciemnosc gave these blueprints to the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect, which even they seemed to not know about them, the price would skyrocket even more.
They all saw how the little boy returned from where he was striking a deal with the first ‘chosen’ Moribund Yearning Cult, and so, the anxious and eager ones began to feel dispirited.
“Well, Eagerburning Flames Sect’s respected elders, sect master, ancestors, and grand elder and grand ancestor. May I please have you listen to this little me?” But then, it wasn’t just Ciemnosc’s steps coming towards them in particular but also his voice, as they all blinked and raised their gazes in the realization that those words…were for them!
“Ah- Ciemnosc? There- ahem, here we are still an-” Elder Tin’s face of knowing what would happen and gloating over the Eagerburning Flames Sect, of being glad that Ciemnosc was allowed to play for a bit and that he perhaps didn’t even juice out the Moribund Yearning Cult in the slightest and further deals down the table could be made; it was even more so for the Eagerburning Flames Sect who wouldn’t even have that chance.
That face, exactly as it had been maintaining itself for the entire time that Ciemnosc walked away with the upper echelons of other major organizations that he didn’t belong to, firstly, and that was used for calming down his sect master, elders, grand elder, and grand ancestor as if knowing exactly what Ciemnosc would do as a disciple of their sect…
It all went away the moment Ciemnosc’s words weren’t ‘helpful’ or ‘good’ towards them. It was already alarming when Ciemnosc stepped specifically towards the Eagerburning Flames Sect’s side, but it was the worst of the worst when he spoke to them like that and with such indications!
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Yet, Ciemnosc was already walking away, a silent sect master, tall and macho was giving his back to himself and, in the not-so-far and just a few meters after the 10th meter mark distance, an all gloating Eagerburning Flames Sect’s entourage all gave him the silent treatment and even some gloating glares and gestures while walking away with their sect disciple.
Step, step, step, step…step.
“...Ciemnosc? Is it alright if it’s right here? Any further, and we’ll be joining the kids’ sections and will have to dance around.” Sect master Farnor, feeling great about himself, teased as he looked around with his halted footsteps and his hands on his hips.
“Aish, sorry, I forgot. I’m just used to taking these places to talk, hehe.” Appearing so cute and sweet, Ciemnosc himself felt as if he would soon be lost that last bit of innocent charm and no longer make use of it; Ciemnosc blushed without his cheeks or any other part of his body flushing red, scratched the back of his head and spoke sheepishly before nodding at the sect master.
“Ciemnosc, if it is Powerful Stones, we can go with it.” The sect master began, lying about his conditions and seeing Ciemnosc’s reaction, expecting excitement or impatience but only seeing calm patience instead. He then continued after his eyes looked up from side eyeing Ciemnosc downwards from his eyelids.
“But it would be for the best if we do not ruin our growing friendship. Though I admit that we don’t have any familiarity with you, nor do we have any close ties with you in any way. Hence, let’s speak bluntly and not be too stingy with each other, lay out your offer, the Eagerburning Flames Sect will not let our pride get in with our vision; unlike this sect.”
“...Alright, thank you for your sincere words, sect master Farno.” Ciemnosc bowed a little to the sect master in front of him with the entourage of their sect right behind him. He then nodded and took the blueprints out, his lips moved, and his eyes were fully opened, though they weren’t bigger than others, as he began giving his offer.
“I was thinking, since the Eagerburning Flames Sect and I have not had even as many fought battles of lower cultivation, unlike with the Moribund Yearning Cult nor any actual troubles as I have had with my Self-Mutilating Honores Sect, then I am more than willing to have such reputed organization as a ‘friend’.”
“Hence, how about 250,000 Inferior grade Powerful Stones? I’d also like…uh, about 250 tons of fire-resistant and fire-conducting resources. They naturally don’t have to be the rarest nor the most powerful and resistant. As long as they are capable of working their intended purpose without needing any single refinement process will be fine. I know there is an abundance of such for the east of the Region.”
“...” The sect master, at first, only raised his eyebrows and left them up there for a moment while pondering. The little boy that Ciemnosc appeared like a rather straightforward guy, not even hiding his knowledge and stuff like that, which he liked a lot. He then finally replied, “Hahaha! Boy, aren’t you knowledgeable? And the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect still believes that our resources are mostly emptying for this generation already! Please don’t tell them, eh, hahaha…”
“But, are you sure? Those materials are nothing, nothing much, and can barely do anything other than be used for villagers, townsfolk, and citizens to build even the poorest of households.” The sect master commented, giving Ciemnosc a clear image of an honest sect…how would it be like if his sect was just like this?
But Ciemnosc shook his head, he wasn’t attached to the sect, despite the things that had been happening and his quick promotions and recognition from the sect over just a few months. Only Valeria and even Fu Lan were in his mind when thinking of the sect.
“As I said, sect master,” Ciemnosc elaborated. “I am only willing to be the Eagerburning Flames Sect’s ‘friend’ and not a person who only seeks benefit, disgusting people like that only last in the cultivation world because of opportunities being rightfully taken, and being protected by the capable and strong.”
“...choo!” From the distance, within the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect, now knowing why a cultivator would get sick for a moment or how a sneeze sounded out within their upper echelon.
“For now, I would also like to shamelessly ask for the Eagerburning Flames Sect to make a truce lasting from the moment I return to my port mission to a week and a half later. How about it?” Ciemnosc said, sect master Farno nodded his head repeatedly without caring about looking silly. “Mm-hmm, that is good enough, Ciemnosc. Is there anything else?”
And though the sect master’s tone was calm, impatience was visible through his eyes. Hence, Ciemnosc played no more and while shaking his open, small hands with ‘nos’, he reassured the impatient sect master before giving him the 3 pieces of blueprints.
“That will be all, sect master. Here they are. Brand new and made for you, I hope you will be able of creating one pretty soon. They take a lot of time to make, especially so if there isn’t an expert on the field at all times of its construction. Please remember that.” Ciemnosc commented, already walking towards the Eagerburning Flames Sect’s entourage to discuss procedures.
“Hmm? So only you can make them at a faster and more efficient speed?” Sect master Farno was intrigued and asked the young boy without thinking twice before adding with a large and wide grin from the left corner of his mouth. “Then, why don’t you join us? We’ll fight to the death to face off against the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect for the future of this world if necessary.”
“We wouldn’t even have to worry about the others joining in against us, as we wouldn’t just entrap you and hope you’re a good boy with us…like your sect has done since time immemorial.” The sect master finished his words, not even bothering to lower his tone, and with quite some disciples of all 3 sects and core believers who just didn’t dare to turn around in shock to see one of the 3 strongest sect masters try to steal a sect disciple from another sect.
“Aiyah, sect master Farno,” not embarrassed at all and completely just fine, Ciemnosc spoke out clearly and concisely. “Do not insult me, please. I would never betray my sect. There’s no such thing as for me to do so. I’m not that kind of person… But hearing you say nice things about people who just want to learn like me…that somehow gives me the idea that your sect will prevail much more in the future - even becoming powerful like the Self-Mutilating Honores Sect…or more!”
“...I see, that’s pitiful then.” The sect master said, his tone suddenly seeming to have become somber, gloomy; for a moment there. But then, he went back on with reason on his side, not saying anything about his previous thoughts though, and Ciemnosc not publicly delving into it. “It is not us the Eagerburning Flames Sect, the Preferential Light Justice Sect is already far ahead of any of the other 3 major organizations without counting your sect.”
“And without such Craftsmanship, the Moribund Yearning Cult wouldn’t have lasted even a few hundred years at all, it’s all about practicality and necessity.” The sect master did have a point, but nothing of the sort would be enough to tempt Ciemnosc into betraying Valeria’s feelings, Fu Lan’s point of view, and grand elder Jing Zhu’s trust and belief.
“But at least try not to become another Apegos, kid, don’t be that lonely. If you’re interested, you can always leave a message to our sect. Somehow, I know you will manage.” The sect master said right before beginning to speak with Ciemnosc about the following procedures to be set. But then added with his whispering, barely audible words.
“Or you might become something much worse.”
Ciemnosc: “...”
…Step step step step…
…Before long, Ciemnosc was now walking to the front of his sect, his visage was not the same as it was when he was being surrounded, as a kid, as a not even Phrenic realm cultivator in their eyes, a Link Consolidation realm 7th stage cultivator inner sect disciples and hapless weakling anybody could toy and do whatever they wanted with.
As he stopped just a few steps in front of his sect’s sect master, Ciemnosc slowly looked up and saw a low grade of uncanny valley pair of eyes looking back down at him. Ciemnosc didn’t even need to use his Spirit Sense and scan the shit out of the sect master’s head to realize the jealousy, contempt, staring at a lifeless body-like stare, and callousness from him.
“What is it that you want? Speak, you obviously won’t give it to even us, your own sect, for free.” Sect master Holoriu said right away and without waiting for Ciemnosc to even blink any other time, but then bent his back a little and bent his knees to whisper at the boy’s face exactly in similitude as sect master Farno did. “You traitorous scum.”
“...Actually, sect master, grand ancestor, ancestor, and elders…” Ciemnosc said, passing elder Tin over without a twinge of consideration, “I will not be asking anything from the sect for these blueprints. It is only right when considering that I was given my chance to learn so much here thanks to your intelligent design of the sect.”
Many raised their eyebrows. Some even stood straight up to the little boy who seemed to have brains and not just green eyes and guts. But the sect master himself still maintained his pair of inhuman-like scary, brutal, and barely restrained eyes.
“Only, I would like to mention that I’ve become aware of the pros and cons of my corps’ current forces and strength as well as capabilities. Thus, I would like to request the sect for the addition of… 1,000,000 Inferior grade Powerful Stones, 10,000 Supreme grade Powerful Stones, and about 1,000 tons of resources for the defense of the port mission. Also, I’d like to integrate the land mission sect disciples into my corps, we need to stay united, after all.”
…
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