The Envoy of Abundance from Onphalus

"He said he was the most experienced master craftsman in the workshop, and that these creations would be in great chaos without him, so we absolutely could not leave our posts! We talked until our lips were sore, but instead he drove us away and told us to run for our lives!"

"You must hurry and save him! That power of the Jianmu tree... it's too evil!"

"Don't worry!" Su Chang said decisively, turning to Dan Heng and Luo Sha with pleading eyes, "Gentlemen, the situation is urgent! It's very dangerous inside, but we can't leave Master Gongshu unrestrained!"

"Can you... help me?" Having witnessed how easily the two had dealt with the small group of demonic spirits, Su Chang knew they were no ordinary people.

"It is my duty." Rakshasa smiled and nodded, gently placing her hand on the edge of the coffin.

"Let's go." Dan Heng said succinctly, the Cloud-Striking Spear in his hand already subtly revealing a cold glint.

Without hesitation, the three of them rushed against the flow of people into the gate of the Industrial Construction Company.

The interior of the manufacturing company was now a scene of utter devastation. The massive mechanical structure was entangled and pierced by thick, glowing green plant roots.

The air was thick with the scent of life, but this vitality carried an unsettling aggressiveness. The deeper one ventured, the more horrifying the scene became.

Countless gnarled roots wriggled like living creatures, greedily absorbing the metal and energy. In the very core of the Engineering Department, an unimaginably enormous banyan-like behemoth—the root system growing from the Jianmu tree—was radiating a powerful yet eerie abundance, its green light flickering like breath.

They found the legendary stubborn old man, Master Gongshu, on the edge of a maintenance platform less than 500 meters from the construction site.

He was sweating profusely as he tried to shut down a giant furnace that was entangled by roots and out of control, oblivious to the danger that was right in front of him.

"Master Gongshu!" Su Chang shouted as she rushed over, "Come with us quickly! It's too dangerous here!"

The old man didn't even look up, stubbornly pulling the control lever: "Never mind me! I have to shut this old thing down! Otherwise, if it explodes, half of the construction company will be in trouble!"

"No! The power of Jianmu could erupt at any moment! Life is at stake!" Su Chang panicked and, disregarding respect for elders and children, grabbed Master Gongshu's arm and pulled him outside.

Danheng and Luosha also quickly stepped forward, one wary of the wriggling roots all around, while the other used a gentle but irresistible force to assist Suchang.

The old man was half-dragged, half-carried away by the three men, muttering repeatedly, "Oh dear! Be gentle! My old bones! My equipment! My..."

Just as they were about to reach the relatively safe outer area, another figure appeared in front of them like a ghost. It was a man dressed in black, with a cold and stern face, exuding a sharp killing intent.

"Shi Wang Si Xueyi, ordered to investigate the irregularities at the Works Department." The woman's voice was icy, her sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd, lingering for a moment on Rakshasa's coffin before finally settling on Master Gongshu. "What's the situation?"

Su Chang quickly gave a brief report on the situation and introduced Dan Heng and Luo Sha as "enthusiastic people who were willing to help".

After listening, Xueyi nodded: "The anomaly here is beyond the scope of the Bureau of Works. Master Gongshu, please leave this dangerous place immediately." Her tone was commanding.

Perhaps it was the pressure brought by the appearance of Xueyi, or perhaps it was because the distance to Jianyu was indeed far enough, Master Gongshu finally stopped struggling and stood on the last corridor leading to the gate.

"Alright, alright, that's enough for now. Thank you for escorting me." He turned around, looking at the massive mechanical outlines that were faintly visible in the green light deep within the Industrial Construction Division, his eyes filled with complex yet resolute emotions.

“Everyone has their own role. From the day I stepped into the Department of Works and Buildings, I have never slackened in taking care of the operation of these creations. Today is no exception.”

“It was right for the students to run to the door,” he straightened his hunched back, his voice carrying an undeniable resolve.

"But as a teacher, I can't let them turn back and see that their Master Gongshu was a coward who was afraid of death and abandoned his post."

"My relationship with you has come this far, and now I need to see what else I can do for the Industrial Development Company."

“At the very least… we have to keep an eye on the movement of the growing Jianmu trees. If this evil power really spreads, we have to warn the people outside and buy them some time.” His words were resolute, revealing the stubbornness and responsibility of a craftsman.

"Uncle, you..." Su Chang looked at his gray hair and firm eyes, unable to say anything more to dissuade him, only deep respect and worry remained.

A relieved smile appeared on the old man's face as he patted Su Chang's shoulder: "Little girl, don't worry. I value my life very much and won't do anything reckless."

"We're far enough away from that monstrous thing from here. I don't have the guts to go back and die alone. You guys go ahead and do your work!"

“…Alright,” Su Chang took a deep breath, “Uncle, please take care!”

Stepping out of the workshop's gate, I saw a group of young apprentices waiting anxiously at the entrance, not having gone far. Upon asking, I learned that they were prepared to return to the workshop at any moment, rather than retreat to a safer place.

In this respect, their will can be said to have been inherited from Master Gongshu.

Xueyi said to Sushang, "I have important matters to attend to and need to go there immediately to report. If you need to find the main force of the Cloud Cavalry, you can go towards the Dan Ding Si, which is adjacent to the Gongzao Si. The Cloud Cavalry is deployed there."

After saying that, she vanished from everyone's sight in a flash.

Su Chang looked at Dan Heng and Luo Sha: "Gentlemen, I'm going to the Pill Refining Division to rejoin the main force. You two..."

Rakshasa smiled and said, "Let's go together. The journey may not be safe, but staying together will provide some protection."

Dan Heng nodded: "Let's go together."

"Great!" Su Chang's spirits lifted. "Let's go! Our destination—the Pill Refining Division!"

...

Meanwhile, they observed the formation closely.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Fu Xuan's forehead, and the light in his Jade Eye fluctuated violently. At the center of the formation, Kafka stood quietly with her eyes closed, as if she had simply fallen asleep, her face even carrying a strange serenity. However, the torrent of information deduced by the Qiong Guan Formation was crashing against Fu Xuan's mind like a raging storm.

“This… how is this possible?” Fu Xuan murmured, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

The results of Qiong Guan's deduction were clear and accurate, but they clashed violently with her previous predictions.

Fragments of information were frantically piecing together in her mind, pointing to a truth that even she found unbelievable.

She even subconsciously suspected that this seemingly calm woman in front of her might have used some incomprehensible means to interfere with or even destroy the foundation of the Qiong Guan Formation.

However, the formation operated smoothly and powerfully, and the light from the talismans was stable and pure.

Fu Xuan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and his gaze, sharp as lightning, locked onto Kafka in the formation once again.

No matter how unbelievable the result may be, the answer from the Qiong Guan Zhen is the closest thing to the truth at this moment. Even if it seems absurd, we must believe it.

...............

The first chapter today is in 4K format, one more chapter to go.

Golden Branches Through the Ages: Chapter 162 Eating Candy

Fu Xuan frowned, his gaze sweeping across the faces of the three people on the train. He spoke so fast it was almost a rapid-fire barrage, leaving behind a string of cryptic words with unclear meaning.

Finally, she waved her hand impatiently, her fingertip pointing precisely at the figure bound by heavy energy at the center of the Taibu Si array: "This matter is extremely complex and cannot be explained in a few words; it would be a waste of time."

“I must inform the general of the information immediately so he can make a decision. If you have any questions—” she paused, her gaze falling on Kafka, “ask her.”

Before the words were finished, the figure of the head of the Tabushi disappeared hastily at the end of the deep corridor like a wisp of smoke, leaving only the heavy air and the train trio looking at each other in bewilderment—March 7, Walter Young, and Xing.

“This…” March 7th sighed softly and looked at his companion.

“Fu Xuan Taibu seems to be in a hurry, it seems the situation is more complicated than expected.” Walter pushed up his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses steady.

Their gazes eventually focused on Xing.

Xing was gazing at the center of the array, where Kafka stood quietly, her body surrounded by restraining light patterns, yet her posture remained composed and elegant.

Needless to say, here, the star is indeed the most suitable, and the only, bridge that can possibly be explained by Kaffa.

Xing took a deep breath and stepped forward. She walked straight to the energy screen closest to Kafka, and without any hesitation, the name that had been lingering in her heart for so long slipped out: "Mom."

Her voice carried a hint of unconscious dependence and curiosity, "What exactly did those riddles Fu Xuan Tai Bu (a fortune teller) mean?"

Kafka's originally calm gaze flickered slightly, then was covered by a gentle smile, a smile mixed with a hint of barely perceptible helplessness.

She looked at Xing as if she were watching a child intently aiming a toy gun at an adult. "Heh..." A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Whatever, whatever makes you happy." Her tone was habitually indulgent.

Xing ignored the hint of helplessness; she only caught the signal of consent, and her eyes lit up.

Under the breathless gaze of March 7 and Walter, Kafka, in her characteristic, somewhat languid yet clearly articulated tone, revealed three facts that were enough to overturn their previous understanding.

The first fact: The Star Core Hunters are not enemies of the Immortal Ship Luofu.

The second fact: someone else was responsible for bringing the star core into the immortal ship and causing this calamity.

In this murky water, there are traitors lurking within Luofu stirring up trouble, and enemies from beyond the stars attempting to overthrow this ancient starship.

The third fact is a startling conclusion derived from the first two: if the Star Core Hunters were not the culprits, then what exactly was their goal in risking their lives to infiltrate Luofu?

Kafka's answer points to the Star Train—for you. To ensure that the scenario Elio envisioned will proceed flawlessly toward that "bright future."

Any deviation in the process could render all efforts futile.

"For...us?" Xing murmured, her pupils dilating slightly from the sheer volume of information, a powerful shock gripping her.

The weight of this truth was far greater than she had imagined. What suddenly occurred to her? She instinctively reached into her pocket, frantically rummaging through it, her fingertips rustling softly against the fabric.

He rummaged around in the left and right, his movements carrying a touch of childish panic.

She touched it. The touch was familiar and tiny—a candy, the last one left.

That was a long time ago, on the space station, when Mr. Russell would give her a handful of candies every day. The colorful candies were filled with pure sweetness.

During the long journey, in countless moments of wonder or exhaustion, she peeled open those candies one by one and put them into her mouth, transforming them into a joyful experience that danced on her tongue.

As the candy was almost gone, a thought struck her unexpectedly: share.

The first person she thought of to share with was the one who first appeared before her eyes when she was a newborn, confused and her consciousness was like a chaotic nebula—Kafka.

So, after the joy of sharing, she carefully treasured the last piece of candy.

Every time I see its colorful candies peeking out of my pocket, the sweet temptation surges in like a tide.

Each time, she swallowed hard, clenched her fists, and told herself: Just bear with it a little longer, for that moment. For that moment that may never come.

God knows how much she sacrificed for this! This candy became almost the ultimate test of her willpower. It was even crueler than not letting her rummage through the trash.

Fortunately, even when stored close to the body, the candy will not soften or deform due to body temperature, and will always maintain its original round and cute shape.

And now, she has finally waited for this moment.

“Here,” Xing opened her palm, and the candy coated with bright sugar lay quietly in her hand, like a miniature planet.

She placed her hand to Kafka's lips—the hand that had once held guns and strummed the strings of fate was now firmly bound by an invisible energy, unable to move an inch.

“This candy is delicious, you should try it. Mr. Russell gave it to me.” Xing’s voice was soft, with a hint of barely perceptible anticipation and nervousness.

Kafka's gaze fell on the small candy, a hint of understanding and a deeper smile flashing in her eyes.

"Heh..." She lowered her head slightly and gracefully and naturally accepted the candy from Xing's hand with her lips and teeth. Her soft lips inadvertently brushed against Xing's fingertips, bringing a slightly ticklish sensation.

“I see,” Kafka said, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction as the sugar melted in her mouth, its rich sweetness filling the air. Like a cat basking in the sun, she squinted her eyes contentedly. “This is the ‘sweetness’ Elio mentioned… that you get after the ‘interrogation’ at Talib? It really is…”

With a candy in her mouth, her voice was slightly muffled, but her laughter was crystal clear, "A surprising and delightful way. Thank you, Ah Xing."

A pure, unadulterated taste of pleasure blossomed on the tip of the tongue, as if dispelling the chill brought by the binding magic circle.

Kafka's smile, like melting spring snow, was warm and genuine, and it never faded.

“Yes, it’s a wonderful candy.” She nodded affirmatively, the candy puffing up slightly on her cheek. “It’s one of the best flavors I’ve ever tasted in the entire universe.”

Then they talked for a long time. Kafka answered Xing's more questions about the Elio script, the vague trajectory of the future, the role of the Star Train in the script, and the challenges they were about to face...

The conversation was like stardust drifting past a porthole during a starship's voyage, flickering and uncertain, yet carrying a certain destiny-like guidance. No matter how the topic shifted, the smile on Kaffa's lips never faded.

The "sweetness" predicted by Elio was indeed sweet enough. And this sweetness came not only from the candy itself, but also from the sentiment that transcended position and calculation, and from being cherished and waited for.

In the cold gears of fate, to be remembered like this feels... not bad at all.

Kafka thought that occasionally putting down the burden of being a Star Core Hunter and enjoying this kind of pure care seemed quite nice.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"General, the interrogation results of the Star Core Hunter are in. It turns out that the Star River Hunter is not our enemy, and in some ways, he is even our friend."

"Fu Qing, I already knew."

"That general... there is a traitor among the six departments of the Luofu Immortal Ship."

“I know that too. The Compassionate Medicine King faction, led by Dan Shu, has been plotting to betray us for quite some time.”

"But they've colluded with outside forces, plotting against Luofu..."

“I also know that they have colluded with a Great Lord of Annihilation, Huanlong, and behind this Great Lord of Annihilation is the real mastermind.”

"She also summoned the Werewolf Clan of Bu Li to instigate a rebellion in the Ten Kings Division to rescue Hu Lei, and a detachment of the Antimatter Legion is preparing to draw the Cloud Cavalry's firepower." Jing Yuan smiled as he looked at the flustered Fu Xuan.

"Since the general knows everything, why did you make me interrogate Kafka? Are you making fun of me?" Fu Xuan said unhappily, arms crossed.

He thought his report would shock Jing Yuan, but he ended up shocking himself instead.

“I can state this beforehand, Lord Fu. I genuinely knew nothing of these things before I had you interrogate Kafka.”

"So why didn't you tell me if you knew?"

"Since Fu Qing can get the answer from Kafka, why should I interfere and give him advice? You agree, right?"

Fu Xuan was left speechless by Jing Yuan's weak and feeble words. She could only look at Jing Yuan and say, "General, you bad guy!"

...............

Image: "A Butterfly is Watching You", Location: "Images/1758050209-100445955-113859410.jpg"