Chapter 316: Skye’s Curse
It was evident that Lisa was a woman with a strong personality. She still recognised her brother, Aldas, in her heart. It was indeed a good idea to use the magic shop as the official reason to let her stay.
The Cloak Magic Shop was the most popular magic shop in Dark Moon City. Master Xingxing’s reputation and craftsmans.h.i.+p were very influential. Although the dark goblin master only visited the shop at most once a week, it did not affect the business at all. It was full of customers everyday.
Although there was a little distance between Chen Rui’s current level of mechanics in single mastery with the two top masters, Xingxing and Skye, no master of Demon Realm could match Chen Rui on the overall. The problem was that Master Arthur should not be seen now, so it was more than enough to have Master Xingxing here. Moreover, Chen Rui’s real goal was not the pinnacle of mechanics skill, but the pinnacle of power. This powerful determination was not only for himself, but also for the things he must protect.
As for Tonk, Tieke and Tommy, Chen Rui only told Tonk some ideas to improve the crossbow, including the aiming scopes, magazine latch and so on, and Tonk eagerly asked to join the Cloak Gang. Chen Rui’s intention was to use Tonk’s expertise to build an organization like an a.r.s.enal. Of course, unlike Mystic Valley, the main goal was to produce some special individual soldier armoury.
Chen Rui came to the Cloak Gang’s “old nest”, the ancient house. Due to the arrangement of Lisa and the rest, the news of the return of the “chief” had reached the ancient house. Seeing the appearance of this familiar man in cloak, the old goblin, Didi, who came to greet Chen Rui was obedient this time, not making any slogans and ostentations such as “Constellation Immortal, Boundless Supernatural Power”. Instead, Didi saluted respectfully, “Master, you are back.”
When the old goblin, Didi, founded the Cloak Gang in an attempt to use powerful connections to intimidate others, he never dreamed that it could develop to the present level. From a low-level person who could only rely on cheating, abductions, as well as bargaining and reselling to survive, he became a key person of the greatest force in the entire estate. He had all the money and power he wanted, and it was all thanks to this master. The old goblin was so arrogant in front of others that he sometimes had the despicable act of bullying people, but he was absolutely respectful of Chen Rui.
His master could give him all these and take it back too. The old goblin knew this very well, so even though his daughter successfully climbed the ladder of mechanical master, he still took care of the Cloak Gang diligently. He dared not to relax.
“I know the situation of the night market and the hot pot restaurant.” Chen Rui nodded, “You did a good job.”
The old goblin secretly rejoiced in his heart and replied respectfully, “I just acted according to the master’s instructions; everything is the credit of the master.”
Chen Rui encouraged a few words and asked, “Is Master Skye and Master Xingxing both in the backyard?”
“Yes, it’s just that Jesse just took Sasa and Master Skye’s two daughters out to play.”
Chen Rui remembered the scene of a life and death duel with the “Quick Wolf”, Jesse in the arena when he first reached the Alkaid state. There was a tinge of regret in his heart as he walked towards the backyard.
In the backyard, Skye and Xingxing were discussing a drawing on the table. Due to the dark goblin’s height, he chose to stand on a stool which looked amusing. Chen Rui’s arrival immediately attracted both their attention, and their gaze made him feel a little uncomfortable. He forced himself to walk to the front of the two masters.
“Aguile”, Xingxing jumped off the stool, staring straight at his mask, “Show me that ‘Moments of Beauty’.”
“Master…” Chen Rui didn’t expect Xingxing to make such a request. The two seemed to know his ident.i.ty as Arthur.
“There’s no need to cover up,” said Skye. “Previously, we had a hunch after hearing the news that shook the Demon Realm. Later, after the trio-specialized genius master disappeared, many related incidents spread around; including the incident of requesting the flower of mist from the Dark Shadow Empress in the mechanical contest that he bounded into fame. After learning about this incident, I have basically confirmed your ident.i.ty. In any case, I should say thank you to you.”
“Master is too courteous.” After Chen Rui heard Skye talking about it, he knew that he could not hide it anymore.
“Trio-specialized master and magic circle genius.” Master Xingxing shook his head and said, “I now even doubt if you have changed yourself entirely.”
“Actually… This is because my teacher pa.s.sed everything on to me.” Chen Rui thought about it, and only this reason could explain it.
“Everything! Then your teacher…” Skye was startled.
“His life has come to an end.” Chen Rui said this and remained silent.
“No matter what method you used to achieve this level, but you definitely deserve to be called as a master now.” Xingxing nodded and said, “But you can be rest a.s.sured that Master Skye and I are both sensible people. We know that you have your own secret, so even Sasa and the two daughters of Skye do not know about this.”
“Thank you master!” Chen Rui was relieved as he bowed to the two, “In front of both masters, I dare not call myself a master…”
“Okay, enough of these courtesies”, Xingxing was a little impatient, “A master must have the confidence and demeanor of a master. Being too modest is just being pretentious. You come at the right timing. Take a look at this magic facility we designed.”
Chen Rui nodded and walked to the table. When he looked at it carefully, his expression became more and more surprised. Although they could not see the face behind the mask, Master Xingxing still noticed the surprise in Chen Rui’s eyes and showed a proud expression.
Chen Rui was surprised not because the thing made by Xingxing and Skye reached the legendary grade or epic grade. On the contrary, the quality of this facility did not even reach the excellent grade. This was a set of water supply facilities. To be precise, it was Demon Realm’s tap water system. Demon Realm’s water had been obtained by digging wells all this while. At its luxury, it used magic to make fountains. This was the first time the magic water collection system that could be used by ordinary users was introduced.
This “creativity” was obviously inspired by Chen Rui. In fact, Chen Rui was not clear about the specific equipment or principle used by the tap water system in his original world, but since this was Demon Realm, it must be suitable for the actual situation of Demon Realm. Magic was definitely the main energy source. With the presence of these master-level characters, principles and the like were definitely not a problem. He only needed to put forward some ideas or creativity, and many problems would naturally be solved.
While looking at it, Chen Rui suggested some of his ideas, such as adding filtering and purification devices, designing a water meter and also improving materials which would greatly reduce costs that allowed wide usage.
Xingxing and Skye also voiced their opinions while pondering. This set of water supply systems was gradually taking shape. Chen Rui praised, “After this system test is completely improved and the trial is successful, I will report to Dark Moon Lord Princess Royal Highness to promote its usage across the whole estate. If it can be further widely used in the whole Demon Realm, it will be the greatest invention of the whole Demon Realm since the magic lamp!”
The magic lamp was invented 70,000 years ago by the mechanic grand master, Martini. He could be said to leave a mark for future generations. As Chen Rui quoted his “teacher”: The true mechanic skill is not destructive but benefiting lives instead. This is the true meaning of being a mechanic master!
A piece of equipment, even if it was an epic grade, might not be preserved and pa.s.sed on forever, but this kind of invention would always be recorded in history as long as it was successful.
You can surpa.s.s many grand masters without reaching the grand master level! Xingxing and Skye’s eyes glowed at the same time.
“Oh, Master Skye.” Chen Rui took out a purple flower, “This is a gift for you.”
“The flower of mist!” Skye’s eyes gleamed. “Didn’t Catherine Empress give you its seed? Even if there is magic that expedites growth, the maturity period of the flower of mist will take more than ten years…”
Chen Rui didn’t answer. He just smiled and handed over the flower of mist. Skye recovered from his gaffe; he knew he asked too much. Everyone had his own secret. It was already a great favor that Chen Rui gave him directly without any request. He couldn’t hold back the excitement in his heart at that moment as he took over the flower of mist and carefully placed it in a box, “Great! With the flower of mist, plus the secret medicine collected previously and the Fountain of Resurrection, I can completely remove the curse in a month!”
“Master Aguile” Skye bowed deeply, “No words are enough to express my grat.i.tude. I should stay here to do my part for sir’s Cloak Gang. However, after my curse is lifted, my presence will bring sir and even the Cloak Gang disasters, so I plan to leave Dark Moon as soon as possible to find a safe place to hide.”
“Master, I know you are requesting to leave for the sake of Cloak Gang and me.” Chen Rui looked at Xingxing who was smiling confidently and said, “You and Master Xingxing’s joint research has not been completed yet. Won’t you regret leaving like this?”
Skye sighed and looked a little sad. Chen Rui said, “Although I don’t know how powerful your enemy is, this should be a safer place. As for your true face after you recovered, I believe it should not be difficult to solve this problem with Master Xingxing here. What’s more, Eve and Alian like this place very much; it is really inappropriate for them to be wandering around.”
“I have ready-made magic props that can s.h.i.+eld your breath and look. Even a Demon Overlord level may not be able to see through it.” Master Xingxing smiled confidently, “Aguile is very cunning. As long as he can make you stay, plus the relations.h.i.+p of Ms. Sasa, I will definitely stay here for a long time. Undeniably, his plan is very successful.”
Skye took a look at Xingxing, then Chen Rui, and finally nodded, “Alright, then as a trusted friend, I should also confess something. Skye is not my real name, my name is Fonsaq.”
Chen Rui didn’t feel much about the name, but Master Xingxing was taken aback, “It turns out that you are Master Fonsaq who is known as top leather master in the Demon Realm! Aren’t you already dead?”
In addition to the newly emerged “Master Arthur”, Demon Realm’s original top mechanic master was the chairman of the Mechanic a.s.sociation of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire, Nate. However, Nate had that t.i.tle because he was duo-specialized, not because he was top in one category. He could use the rules to win every master compet.i.tion.
When it comes to single specialization, it is the three strongest top masters who truly made it to the top.
Master of metal-Master Anderson; the current chairman of the Dark Shadow Empire’s Mechanical a.s.sociation.
Master of leather-Master Fonsaq; former senior master of b.l.o.o.d.y Empire’s Mechanic a.s.sociation, “deceased”.
Master of jewelry-Master Teta.n.u.s; the free master not belonging to any empire; whereabouts unknown.
Fonsaq was originally the top mechanical master of the b.l.o.o.d.y Empire’s Mechanic a.s.sociation besides Nate. He was highly respected. However, unfortunately, he died a dozen years ago. He unexpectedly changed his name to Skye and came to Dark Moon, and he was cursed too. There must be an unknown secret behind all these!
“Aguile, your teacher sacrificed himself and pa.s.sed everything to you unreservedly in order to nurture you into a grand master. In contrast, Nate is unscrupulously trying to seize others’ skills through the so-called shortcuts in order to improve his level!” Skye’s words surprised Xingxing and Chen Rui at the same time.
What is the concept of seizing skills? Xingxing asked in shock, “Master Nate…”
“That despicable villain is not worthy of being called a master!” Skye gritted his teeth, “The hatred between me and him is deeper than the sea of death!”
Chen Rui thought of Horford, the disciple of Nate in the mechanical contest, and Izola behind Horford which was the force at the Crystal Valley. He started thinking quickly.
“Nate is the mutated bloodline of the Mammon Royal Family. He has a strange talent where he can use dark magic to cast a secret technique to devour the consciousness of others and absorb their memory!”
“Devour the consciousness!” Xingxing said shockingly, “Is he turning others’ knowledge into his own?”
“Something like that, but it takes a considerable price to perform this secret technique. The stronger the opponent’s will, the more difficult it will be. It might even repulse unless the subject is willing.” Skye gritted his teeth, “He secretly poisoned and imprisoned me. He tried to cast the secret technique on me, but it was repulsed by my will and he was heavily injured. In an attempt to force me to give in, he even held my wife and daughters hostage and cast a curse on them. My wife committed suicide and died to prevent me from being threatened. If it was not for a few of my disciples who risked their lives to save me, my two daughters and I will either still be in captivity or dead.”
“d.a.m.n!” Master Xingxing slapped the table, “I didn’t think that Nate is such a vicious and shameless guy! I must expose this and let all the mechanics of Demon Realm know what this so-called top mechanical master is like!”
“It’s useless, Master Xingxing. Nate’s power is huge. Since he dares to do this, he must have done complete preparations. Plus, it has been so long… Don’t act rashly so that you won’t be affected.” Skye shook his head, “In the beginning, Nate sent people to chase me all the way. As a result, I took my daughters and fell into the abyss of the dead zone,Poison Cloud. He declared that I was dead. Firstly, he could not confirm my life or death. Secondly, the strong curse in my body has greatly reduced my spirit and reaction. I am unable to recover to my past state. Even if I expose his true colours, no one will believe me. It’s just that Nate will never predict that I can escape the Poison Cloud abyss and get the antidote to lift the curse!”
Upon saying this, Skye showed a grateful expression to Chen Rui. He and his daughters were able to recover due to the kindness of “sir leader”.
“Master Fonsaq,” Chen Rui comforted, “You can stay here with a peace of mind. Use the flower of mist to completely remove the curse first. Don’t worry about the rest. We all need to be patient now. When the time is right, we will find the so-called top master of Demon Realm and get even with him!”
“Call me Skye then. Fonsaq has been ‘dead’ for many years.” Skye nodded, calmed his emotions, smiled and bowed to Chen Rui, “From now on, I will be an official member of the Cloak Gang, I will leave the other matters to sir leader.”
Chen Rui also returned a salute. After the dark goblin master muttered a few words, “the plan succeeded,” he looked at Skye with a happy smile.
Wasn’t the forces behind Nate destroyed in the Crystal Valley? Could there be another force?