Chapter 6: I Would Rather Be Ordinary and Unremarkable

Suspicious, Chen Cha subtly questioned Ning Zhuo on several points. The questions covered various aspects that only the true creator could answer. Naturally, this posed no difficulty for Ning Zhuo.

After a round of exchanges, Chen Cha’s doubts faded, his heart stirred with astonishment: “Was it truly him who designed and made this?”

“Isn’t he a member of the Ning clan? The Ning family is known for their mastery of talismans—when did they become so adept at mechanical arts, even cultivating such a talented young cultivator?”

“At this rate, this child is bound for greatness.”

Chen Cha’s view of Ning Zhuo changed entirely, his interest piqued; he couldn’t help but ask more questions.

Ning Zhuo replied, “With this year’s grand examination, I’ve already left my days at the academy behind. Senior, your insight is sharp as ever. I am indeed passionate about mechanical arts and have always been fascinated by them. In my spare time, I collect books and study on my own. It has nothing to do with the Ning family academy.”

Stroking his beard, Chen Cha deliberately asked, “Among the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, the top four are alchemy, artifact forging, talisman crafting, and formations. Mechanical arts rank at the bottom, the most niche of the niche. Why do you favor this path above all others?”

In an instant, Ning Zhuo’s heart gave a leap, realizing that their conversation had reached its most crucial juncture.

He had approached Chen Cha with a plan, and presenting the mechanical monkey was a calculated move.

The youth weighed his words, his expression growing solemn as he replied, “In my view, cultivation is the pursuit of true principles within Heaven and Earth. The Hundred Arts are simply applications of those truths—at their core, they are tools.”

“Elixirs are tools. Magic weapons and flying swords are tools. Talismans and formations alike are tools.”

“Using these tools makes our cultivation easier and increases the chances of success in various undertakings.”

“But the ultimate expression of a tool is none other than mechanical arts!”

“The new materials used in a mechanism may be refined through alchemy. Its structure shaped by artifact forging techniques. The arrays and talismans on a mechanism require the skills of both formation and talisman crafting.”

“A superior mechanical creation is the ingenious fusion of all the cultivation arts.”

Here, Ning Zhuo paused. “As for why mechanical arts have fallen to the bottom, considered marginal, it’s because they are the most difficult to learn and master, with the highest threshold!”

“On the one hand, constructing a mechanism requires a cultivator to master multiple arts—alchemy, forging, talisman making, formations—all are foundational. Even after mastering them, one must select and combine countless materials and techniques.”

“On the other hand, designing a mechanism is even harder. It tests a cultivator’s mind, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design may take a cultivator a decade or more to complete, and it’s common to be stuck at a single point for years without progress.”

“Only excellent design can yield excellent mechanical creations.”

Hearing this, Chen Cha leaned back, his eyes shining as he sized up the youth before him, unable to restrain his applause. “Well said, very well said!”

Once again, his attitude toward Ning Zhuo changed. From admiration and interest, he now felt a kinship as equals, fellow travelers on the same path.

The interactions between people are mysterious. Some may spend every day together and remain strangers at heart, while with others, a first exchange can spark deep resonance and shared ideals.

The more Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo talked, the more they found themselves in harmony, naturally switching to more intimate forms of address. Chen Cha began to call Ning Zhuo “Little Zhuo,” while Ning Zhuo addressed him as “Elder Chen.”

When Ning Zhuo posed his questions, Chen Cha pondered for a moment before providing three complete solutions. Usually, he would offer only one, but with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.

Upon hearing the three plans, Ning Zhuo was immediately filled with questions, which he asked in detail. Chen Cha answered every one, his enthusiasm evident, having long since forgotten about any consultation fees.

Ning Zhuo continued to offer suggestions, revising the three solutions. Chen Cha found himself thoroughly immersed in their discussion, delighted at the meeting of like minds.

Through their joint efforts, the plan was swiftly refined and finalized: to add a blood system to the Fireburst Monkey and embed a dynamic formation foundation within the blood, stabilizing the construct’s body. The evaporation of the blood would dissipate heat, greatly alleviating the stress of thermal energy on the Fireburst Monkey.

Chen Cha made his assessment: “In my years of experience, once the Fireburst Monkey goes to market, it will be a resounding success.”

“Little Zhuo, why not let my Flying Disc Workshop handle the production?”

“For you alone, how could you ever manufacture large quantities of mechanical Fireburst Monkeys? You must commission a workshop for mass production.”

“My Flying Disc Workshop has enough cultivators and equipment to meet your manufacturing needs.”

“Moreover, I’ve run businesses in Fire Persimmon Immortal City for decades, with ample sales channels and some connections to the City Lord’s Mansion.”

“On one hand, I can leverage my relationships to secure certain tax exemptions, letting you earn more.”

“On the other, it’s a form of protection. Once the mechanical Fireburst Monkey comes out, it will seriously threaten the interests of the Monkeyhead Gang.”

“This gang breeds spirit monkeys, and their main business is commanding monkeys to harvest volatile Fire Persimmons.”

“This is something we must guard against.”

Ning Zhuo blinked, feigning hesitation. “Well…”

Chen Cha smiled, sincerely urging, “Little Zhuo, let me be frank.”

“This is of great benefit to me as well.”

“My Flying Disc Workshop hasn’t produced anything noteworthy in years. Your Fireburst Monkey is exactly what I need.”

“The better it sells, the greater the fame of my workshop, and the smoother my business will be.”

“So, for profits, my workshop will only take thirty percent. All manufacturing costs, I’ll bear entirely!”

Ning Zhuo scratched his head. “Elder Chen, I can feel your sincerity, but…”

Chen Cha stroked his beard. “No matter, such a major matter does merit careful thought. Perhaps, Little Zhuo, you should consult your family. Still, the Ning clan may be prominent in cultivation, but in the mechanical trade, they hold little sway. Relying on the clan for this business may not be wise. In fact, they too would likely have to commission a workshop.”

“I speak plainly—Little Zhuo, feel free to investigate.”

Ning Zhuo waved his hand. “Elder Chen, I lost my parents young, and have lived with my uncle and aunt. Now, having graduated from the academy, I live alone, fully independent.”

“These matters, I decide for myself. I never considered letting the Ning clan control this Fireburst Monkey.”

“I just have one small request.”

Chen Cha: “Oh? Don’t hesitate to say it.”

Ning Zhuo: “I wish to join your workshop, to take part in its daily operations and gain experience. I also hope to learn more from you, Elder Chen. I have accumulated so many questions. As for consultation fees, just deduct them from my share of the Fireburst Monkey’s earnings. How does that sound?”

Chen Cha laughed heartily. “Little Zhuo, having you here is a blessing for my workshop. You are most welcome!”

“With your talent, you should be deputy master right away.”

Ning Zhuo hurriedly declined. “That won’t do! I am inexperienced and wish to learn and seek guidance. I am but an ordinary youth of the Ning clan—how could I possibly serve as deputy master?”

“Ordinary? You are far too modest!” Chen Cha shook his head, sighing, mistaking this as the humility of a great clan.

But Ning Zhuo’s true thoughts were: “Elder Chen praises and treats me so well only because of the consultation business and the profits from the mechanical creations.”

“In mechanical arts, I have only achieved modest results. Be it the Flexible Rope or the Fireburst Monkey, they are still far from the classics.”

“Just designing the mechanical monkey took me several years, full of setbacks. This latest difficulty was only resolved by Elder Chen’s guidance.”

“I have a long way to go in mechanical arts, much room for improvement.”

“I don’t deserve Elder Chen’s praise at all!”

Little did he know, Chen Cha’s praise was never exaggerated, but based on reality and his vast life experience.

Ning Zhuo was unaware that these were Elder Chen’s true feelings.

On one hand, Ning Zhuo had always hidden his talents, never before experiencing such an exchange with a kindred spirit, and thus had no clear sense of his own level.

On the other, he followed his mother’s dying admonition, always cautious and reserved, constantly reinforcing his humility. Even when he achieved something, he would search for flaws and criticize himself from every angle, determined never to succumb to pride or complacency.

For fourteen years, he had constantly reminded himself: I am ordinary, unremarkable. Even if I succeed, others could do the same. I must continue to strive and never slacken…

Over time, this endless self-admonition forged a deeply humble character, unable to see his own excellence, truly believing he was nothing special and had much left to learn.

That night, Ning Zhuo placed the Fireburst Monkey with its dynamic formation into the furnace for another baking test.

“This time, it will almost certainly succeed,” Ning Zhuo thought with confidence.

“All thanks to Elder Chen. His experience exceeds mine not by tenfold, but by a hundredfold at least.”

“In the future, working at his workshop, I must seize every opportunity to learn from him.”

Ning Zhuo had investigated Chen Cha for years and knew much of his character.

Just as Chen Cha held him in high esteem, Ning Zhuo’s own evaluation of Chen Cha was quite high.

“If the critical part of the Fireburst Monkey works, then next is how to approach the Lava Immortal Palace.”

The Lava Immortal Palace was hidden within the body of Fire Persimmon Mountain, concealed beneath thick magma.

Ning Zhuo’s first step was to reach the mountain’s interior.

There was a way: ascend to the mountain’s summit, enter through the volcanic crater, and descend into the Crimson Demon Magma Cavern. From the myriad tunnels, one must pick the correct path and keep going deeper, until the Lava Immortal Palace comes into view.

“But if I enter the cavern for the first time and something happens to the Lava Immortal Palace, it would be too conspicuous.”

“After all, I’ve never ventured into the Crimson Demon Magma Cavern before. Suddenly doing so would seem suspicious.”

“I’ll need a cover.”

At this, the image of his uncle Ning Ze surfaced in Ning Zhuo’s mind.

In that instant, a plan began to take shape.