The skull voiced Ji Jue’s thoughts without ‌warning[1], leaving them dumbstruck. The words hit like a thunderclap, catching both of them completely off guard.

As Master Jian Yuan’s gaze turned ominous, an awkward silence descended.

Ji Jue’s smile twitched. “That was an accident, Master Craftsman. Nothing but an accident.”

The skull translated, “Well, there you have it. Now everyone’s uncomfortable. Happy now?”

“Heh.” Jian Yuan merely smiled. The skull laughed as well, though the meaning behind its laughter seemed rather different. “At times, this could prove quite useful. Very good. You’ve already gotten the hang of exploiting a craftsman’s curiosity.”

Ji Jue sighed. At last, he stopped trying to hide his true intentions. “There is one other thing I’ve been rather curious about. Master Craftsman, you went through all this trouble and brought such a large force to Spring City. You joined up with that group, then somehow found the time to torment an insignificant pawn like me for so long. What exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

“If that was all I wanted, why would I go through so much trouble?” Jian Yuan laughed disdainfully and raised the skull in his hand. “Everything I’ve done has merely been another step toward exhausting every possibility within the Ember and Putrefaction Paths. What’s so remarkable about that?”

The skull remained silent. The spirit circuits within it showed no signs of reacting. Jian Yuan had neither guarded his thoughts nor attempted to conceal them. He hadn’t even considered lying or putting on an act.

Ji Jue fell silent as well. After a long while, he let out a soundless sigh. “Why go this far?”

Jian Yuan’s lips curled into a mocking grin. “Why shouldn’t I? Whether one belongs to the Association or...