< Chapter 6: Ning Zhuo, Plain and Unremarkable >
Chen Cha, harboring suspicions, subtly posed several questions to Ning Zhuo.
The questions spanned multiple areas, which only a true creator could answer.
Of course, this did not pose a challenge for Ning Zhuo.
After their exchange, Chen Cha's doubts were dispelled, and he couldn't help but be astonished, "Did he really design and create these himself?"
"Isn't he a descendant of the Ning family? The Ning family is known for their expertise in talismans. When did they become so skilled in the art of mechanical devices, to have nurtured such an outstanding young cultivator?"
"If he continues to develop like this, this child will surely achieve great things!"
Chen Cha began to see Ning Zhuo in a new light, his interest intensifying, prompting him to ask a few more questions.
Ning Zhuo then said, "This year’s major examination has concluded my schooling. The elder's insight is profound; indeed, I am quite fond of mechanical techniques and have always been interested. I make it a point to collect books and study in private. It’s unrelated to the Ning family's school."
Chen Cha stroked his beard and deliberately asked, "In the hundred arts of cultivation, the top four are alchemy, tool refining, talisman making, and formation setting. Mechanical techniques rank low among these arts, being a specialty within a specialty. Why do you particularly favor this path?"
Ning Zhuo felt a stirring in his heart, realizing that their conversation had reached a critical moment!
His contact with Chen Cha was premeditated. Bringing out the mechanical monkey was part of his plan.
The young man pondered for a moment, his expression turning serious, and he solemnly said, "I believe that cultivation is about understanding the truths of the universe. The hundred arts of cultivation are merely tools for applying these truths."
"Pills are tools, magical instruments and flying swords are tools, talismans and formations are likewise tools."
"Using these tools, we can more conveniently cultivate and increase the success rate of various actions."
"And the pinnacle of tools is none other than mechanical techniques!"
"A new material in a mechanism is refined using pill-making techniques. The structure of the mechanism is shaped using the art of tool refining. The formations and talismans on the mechanism involve the skills of setting formations and making talismans."
"An excellent mechanical creation is a clever combination of cultivation arts."
At this point, Ning Zhuo paused: "As for why mechanical techniques have fallen to the bottom among the hundred arts and are considered a niche field, it's because they are difficult to learn and master, with the highest barriers!"
"On one hand, constructing a mechanism requires a cultivator to master a variety of cultivation arts. Alchemy, tool refining, talisman making, and formation setting are all foundational. After mastering these, one must then choose and combine from numerous complex materials and techniques."
"On the other hand, designing a mechanism is even more challenging. It tests a cultivator's thinking, talent, inspiration, and imagination. A good design may take a cultivator over a decade to complete. During this process, one often gets stuck on a single point, making no progress for years."
"Only with an excellent design can there be an excellent mechanical creation."
Hearing Ning Zhuo's discourse, Chen Cha leaned back slightly, his eyes shining, and he appraised the young man before him, unable to resist clapping his hands, "Well said, well said indeed!"
His attitude towards Ning Zhuo shifted once again.
From the initial admiration and interest, it transformed into the warmth felt towards a fellow traveler on the same path.
The interactions between people are fascinating. Some people spend all day together yet remain the most familiar strangers, while others resonate deeply on their first meeting, finding a shared understanding in each other's thoughts.
Chen Cha and Ning Zhuo found themselves getting along better and better, naturally changing how they addressed each other. Chen Cha affectionately called Ning Zhuo "Xiao Zhuo", while Ning Zhuo started referring to him as "Chen Lao".
When Ning Zhuo asked a question, Chen Cha thought for a moment and then provided three different plans. Usually, he would only offer one solution to a problem, but with Ning Zhuo, he held nothing back.
Ning Zhuo, having heard the three proposals, immediately came up with numerous questions and asked them one by one. Chen Cha answered all of them enthusiastically, his usual concern for fees forgotten.
Ning Zhuo continued to offer his thoughts, making modifications to the three plans. Chen Cha was deeply immersed in the joy of discussing these matters with a fellow practitioner.
In the course of their discussion, the plans were rapidly refined and optimized, eventually finalizing a plan to enhance the "Fireburst Monkey" by adding blood infused with dynamic array foundations to stabilize its body, while the evaporating blood would help dissipate heat, significantly easing the heat stress the Fireburst Monkey endured.
Chen Cha concluded, "Based on my many years of experience, the Fireburst Monkey will definitely be very popular once it hits the market."
"Xiao Zhuo, why don't you have my Flying Disk Workshop handle the production of the Fireburst Monkey?" he suggested.
"How could you produce a large number of mechanical Fireburst Monkeys on your own? You'll need to outsource to a workshop for mass production," he continued.
"My Flying Disk Workshop has enough cultivators and equipment to meet your manufacturing needs."
"Moreover, I've operated in Puppet Immortal City for decades and have established sufficient sales channels, including some support from the city lord's mansion," Chen Cha explained further.
"On one hand, I can leverage these connections to reduce taxes to some extent, allowing you to earn more," he continued.
"On the other hand, this serves as protection. Once the mechanical Fireburst Monkeys are released, they will significantly harm the interests of the Monkey Head Gang."
"This gang breeds spirit pet monkeys whose primary business is ordering the monkeys to harvest the highly explosive fire persimmons[a]."
"This is something we need to anticipate and guard against in advance."
Ning Zhuo blinked, feigning hesitation, "This..."
With a sincere smile, Chen Cha added, "Xiao Zhuo, I'll be honest with you."
"This is also greatly beneficial for me."
"My Flying Disk Workshop has not had any standout products for many years. Your Fireburst Monkey perfectly meets my urgent needs."
"The better the Fireburst Monkey sells, the brighter the reputation of my Flying Disk Workshop will shine, and the easier it will be to conduct business."
"Therefore, I will only take thirty percent of the profits from the Fireburst Monkey, and I will bear all the manufacturing costs myself!"
Ning Zhuo scratched his head, "Chen Lao, I can feel your sincerity, but..."
Chen Cha stroked his beard, "No worries, such a big decision requires careful consideration. Perhaps, Xiao Zhuo, you should consult your family. However, although the Ning family is a major cultivator family, they don't have much strength in the puppet industry. Relying on your family for this business might not be advantageous. Indeed, they might also rely on puppet workshops."
"I'm speaking frankly; you are free to investigate further," said Chen Cha earnestly.
Ning Zhuo waved his hand dismissively, "Chen Lao, I have been an orphan since childhood, raised by my uncle and aunt. Now that I've graduated from the academy, I've completely moved on and am living on my own."
"I make my own decisions regarding these matters and have never considered handing over the mechanical Fireburst Monkey to the Ning family's control."
"I just have one small request," Ning Zhuo added.
"Oh? Feel free to mention it," replied Chen Cha.
Ning Zhuo continued, "I would like to join your workshop and participate in various tasks at the puppet workshop to gain experience. I also wish to learn more from you, Chen Lao. I have accumulated many questions. As for the consulting fees, we could deduct them from my earnings from the Fireburst Monkey, how does that sound?"
Chen Cha burst into hearty laughter, "Xiao Zhuo, having you here would be a blessing for the Flying Disk Workshop. I welcome you wholeheartedly!"
"With your talent, you should directly take the position of deputy master of the workshop."
Ning Zhuo hastily gestured, "That wouldn't be appropriate! I am merely a novice with much to learn. Just a plain and unremarkable youth from the Ning family, how could I possibly take on the role of deputy master?"
"Plain and unremarkable? You are far too modest!" Chen Cha shook his head, sighing with admiration, mistakenly attributing it to the humble family ethos of the Ning family.
However, Ning Zhuo thought to himself, "Chen Lao's praise and treatment likely stem from seeing the potential for consultancy business and profits from puppetry."
"In the art of puppetry, I have only made modest achievements. Whether it's the Ruyi Rope or the Fireburst Monkey, there is still a vast gap compared to those classic puppet creations."
"Speaking of designing the Puppet Monkey, it took me several years, with many bumps along the way. This time, the difficulties were only solved after consulting Old Chen," he said.
"I still need to make much more significant progress in the art of puppetry."
"The praises from Old Chen shouldn't be taken seriously, I'm truly not worthy of such remarks!"
Unbeknownst to him, Chen Cha's evaluations were never exaggerated; they were grounded in reality and his rich life experiences.
Ning Zhuo was unaware that these were Chen Cha's sincere thoughts.
On one hand, Ning Zhuo had always been diligently hiding his skills, never having had a discussion with his peers like he did today, and he was not aware of his own precise position.
On the other hand, following his mother's dying wishes, Ning Zhuo had always been cautious and prudent, constantly building his mentality to keep his skills hidden.
Even when he achieved some success, he would find ways to critique himself from various aspects, to ensure he never fell into the trap of pride and complacency.
For fourteen years, he constantly reminded himself: I am ordinary, utterly commonplace. Even the achievements I have made, others could achieve too. I must keep striving, never allow myself to become complacent...
Over time, through countless self-admonishments, he developed a very humble character, unable to see his own excellence, and firmly believing that he still had much to improve upon.
That evening, Ning Zhuo placed the newly configured Fireburst Monkey into the furnace for another baking test.
"This time, it's likely to succeed."
Ning Zhuo was quite confident about this.
"Much of this is thanks to Chen Cha. His experience is not just ten times but at least a hundred times greater than mine."
"Working in his Puppet Workshop in the future, I must make good use of such an opportunity to seek his advice frequently."
Ning Zhuo had been investigating Chen Cha for many years and knew quite a bit about his temperament.
Just as Chen Cha held Ning Zhuo in high regard, Ning Zhuo equally appreciated Chen Cha.
"If there's no problem with the Explosive Monkey at this key juncture, the next step is to figure out how to make contact with Lava Immortal Palace."
The Lava Immortal Palace was hidden within the body of Mount Huoshi, concealed in thick magma.
Ning Zhuo needed to first reach inside the body of Mount Huoshi.
There was a path for that. He would start by reaching the summit of Mount Huoshi, then enter through the volcanic vent, diving into the Red Flame Demon Molten Cave. From the myriad of passages, he would choose the correct one and keep going deeper to eventually find a vantage point from which the Lava Immortal Palace could be seen.
"But if the Lava Immortal Palace encounters problems right after my first excavation, it would be too conspicuous."
"After all, for so many years, I have never entered the Red Flame Demon Molten Cave. Suddenly entering the cave would be abrupt."
"I need a cover."
With that thought, the image of his great-uncle Ning Ze appeared in Ning Zhuo's mind.
A plan began to form in his heart.
[a]This is also Huoshi (火柿)