One-Eyed Monster

Just as Carmello was observing Wizard Reed's two strange pets, Kuyi Tulan also knocked on Wizard Reed's door.

This morning was bound to be anything but peaceful...

"Good morning, Chief. Are you here this early to persuade me to drink again?"

"Honestly, you should try this stuff. Sometimes, letting yourself get a bit muddled isn't a bad thing," Kuyi Tulan said leisurely, swirling the wine bottle in his hand.

"You've told me that so many times, there's no novelty left. It's as exciting as chewing wax. I have no idea what eloquence you use to command your subordinates." Wizard Reed's eyes were barely open, and he completely disregarded Kuyi Tulan's words.

"I am different from you. You roam alone like a solitary cheetah, while I am a wolf—nothing without my pack," Kuyi Tulan responded calmly, equally unmoved by Wizard Reed's criticism.

"I walk alone because I am lonely. Unlike you hypocrites, I never conceal my sins." Wizard Reed opened his eyes slightly, glancing at Kuyi Tulan across from him.

"Oh, is that so?" Kuyi Tulan poured a glass of wine, sat down, and slowly savored the cheap liquor in his hand.

"As I've said before, my words don't matter. Everything that happens depends on how you perceive it, not on what I say." Wizard Reed remained as cold as frost.

"Actually, you know me. I've never liked beating around the bush. Compared to those roundabout ways, I prefer things to be direct."

"Yes, Chief. However, you're purely wasting your time with me. You won't get the answers you seek here," Wizard Reed said succinctly, seeming to understand Kuyi Tulan's purpose perfectly.

Kuyi Tulan wanted to give Wizard Reed a round of applause. Only someone like him would dare to reject the Chief of the Alchemy Workshop so directly.

"Truly, nothing escapes you. But considering your status as a Wizard, I'm not surprised. Wizards are known for Divination, and their predictive abilities have always made the other professions green with envy," Kuyi Tulan deliberately flattered Wizard Reed. Not everyone could receive such compliments from the Chief of the Alchemy Workshop.

"I'm no arrogant Wizard, so you don't need to flatter me. That Six-System Sage with you can perform Divination for you anytime." Unfortunately, Wizard Reed didn't fall for it, remaining as icy as ever, barely acknowledging Kuyi Tulan.

A soft CLAP, CLAP. Kuyi Tulan couldn't help it and began to applaud.

"Old friend, why have you become so cold? You weren't like this before."

"Everything in the world changes. You're changing, I'm changing. Nothing is steadfast as a rock."

"What can you possibly gain by doing this?" Kuyi Tulan sighed, genuinely puzzled about what could be going on in Reed's mind.

"Heh, that's none of your concern."

"Reed…"

"Life is a long road. You have your way of walking it, and I have my rhythm of escape. It's best if we don't interfere with each other and each achieve our own goals."

"What you're saying is too profound for me to comprehend. It seems I'm not qualified to understand," Kuyi Tulan said with a shrug, expressing his helplessness.

"Hypocrisy is your kind's middle name."

"Hehehe, well said. Being able to hear your true thoughts makes this trip worthwhile."

"I've said it before: everything that happens depends on how you see it, not on what I say."

"Indeed. After hearing you say that, I'm not even sure why I went to such lengths to come to Guru Mountain." Kuyi Tulan took a sip of wine. These days, he had drunk quite a bit of this cheap wine, and each time he felt he had gained something significant.

"We have something in common, Chief," Reed said after a moment of silence.

"I know. You and I are both people who pursue power, and we both understand deeply what power is."

"Exactly. So, let's each just take what we need."

"That's true. But sometimes, our hypocrisy—you know—forces us to do things we'd rather not."

Wizard Reed neither confirmed nor denied Kuyi Tulan's words. He had already guessed why the man was here.

The chain reaction from that news had indeed come quickly. It was unexpected that the Alchemy Workshop would also be interested.

Kuyi Tulan had indeed come because of that news. In his eyes, there weren't many who could perform an invisible assassination on Guru Mountain, and Wizard Reed happened to be one such person.

Kuyi Tulan felt that the Alchemy Workshop was definitely not capable of such an act. Assassination was typically the work of Hunters. Bigas, that Six-System Sage, was equally unlikely. That other Wizard was as proud as a Snow Lotus; if she wanted to take a life, she wouldn't resort to assassination—she would simply declare the person's death. So, the only person left that Kuyi Tulan knew of was Wizard Reed...

"You're here because of that rumor?" Reed asked, no longer being evasive, as he opened his eyes and faced Kuyi Tulan.

"Indeed. Your information network is faster than I imagined. Could it be..."

"I haven't taken a single step out of this place," Wizard Reed interrupted. He knew what Kuyi Tulan was about to say, so he answered the question before Kuyi Tulan could finish.

Kuyi Tulan wasn't offended by Reed's interruption. This was all within his expectations. He knew this Dark Wizard too well, yet he also found Reed incredibly elusive. His understanding of Reed was a complete contradiction.

"That's right, you've been here all along. Because you have the ability to do such things. I'm well aware of your capabilities."

"But you don't understand my character. I wouldn't target someone insignificant to me, so your speculation is baseless. I'm not someone who enjoys killing."

"Oh, then that's very strange…"

"Your puzzlement shouldn't stop there. You should observe the details more closely. I can't help you with that."

"To attack a Politician is to make an enemy of the entire Empire."

"Hehehe, for people like us, does it matter who we make enemies with?"

"Indeed, I overlooked that…"

Kuyi Tulan hadn't expected Wizard Reed to react this way. He'd always thought Reed maintained at least a little vigilance. But now it seemed they had underestimated Reed, and even more so, the entire Black Crow. In fact, concerning Mayor Babasha's death, they were well aware of the truth.