The Rust Disaster Craftsman was taken aback by Ban Ji’s performance.
Before this journey, he had a secret conversation with Ban Jie, who gave him special instructions.
"That was close... Almost couldn’t stop Ban Ji!"
"If he really did that, I’d lose quite a bit of pay."
People die for wealth, birds perish for food.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman had been "invited" by Ban Ji previously, and now could naturally be hired by Ban Jie. With the Ban family’s funds, Ban Jie was far more resourceful than Ban Ji, so the Rust Disaster Craftsman couldn’t resist this enormous temptation.
In his view, he had already offended Ning Zhuo before, so a second offense wasn’t a concern. After all, he was going to join the Myriad Images Sect anyway. Although Ning Zhuo was exceptionally gifted, he didn’t have the clout like Ban Ji.
Even in the worst-case scenario, if he failed to join the Myriad Images Sect this time, as a solitary Demon Cultivator, he could retreat in defeat and even leave Flying Cloud Country to find a living in other Cultivation Kingdoms.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman wasn’t part of the Righteous Path, didn’t join any forces, and similarly had no foundational base. Unlike Ning Zhuo, who had family enterprises as a Sub-Clan Leader.
Without enterprises, there are no fixed earnings, hence no perseverance.
For the Rust Disaster Craftsman, cultivation resources are scarce, but it also affords him more freedom.
Precisely because cultivation resources are few, he couldn’t resist the heavy payment from Ban Jie.
The situation with the Rust Disaster Craftsman is actually a common state of cultivation and living for Demon Cultivators.
Of course, there are Demon Path forces or individual exceptionally powerful Demon Cultivators, but these are special, not common.
Seeing Ban Ji regain his composure, the Rust Disaster Craftsman felt his heart skip and grew more disgusted with Ning Zhuo’s provocations.
Dare to ruin my financial path!?
The Rust Disaster Craftsman immediately retorted and reprimanded Ning Zhuo: "Nonsense! Do not slander us; we have no relation with Zhang Wangxing’s group!"
"If we were in league, you would have been attacked long ago. You think we’d let you prance around here?!"
"Don’t just randomly accuse us; we are innocent!"
"If you’re going to throw baseless accusations, show evidence!"
The Rust Disaster Craftsman clamored, appearing confident and justified.
He did not notice that Ban Ji was frowning at him.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman wasn’t aware that his speech, directly severing ties with Zhang Wangxing’s group, had actually fallen into Ning Zhuo’s scheme.
But for the time being, Ban Ji could not speak.
Ning Zhuo quickly countered, laughing heartily: "What irony! Rust Disaster Craftsman, you—a Demon Cultivator—have committed numerous evil acts, with overwhelming evidence, and yet you claim innocence!?"
The Rust Disaster Craftsman vocally cursed. Though he appeared intimidating, he was not adept at debate, leading him to be tongue-tied and resort to being unreasonable.
Previously, the Rust Disaster Craftsman had agreed with Ban Ji to deal with Ning Zhuo. After Ning Zhuo received information from the Silk Lady, he swiftly investigated the Rust Disaster Craftsman.
Ning Zhuo recalled clearly and immediately recounted the misdeeds of the Rust Disaster Craftsman, listing them systematically with undeniable evidence, the details so thorough they seemed irrefutable.
Caught at his weak spot, the Rust Disaster Craftsman was unable to rebut, because Ning Zhuo spoke the truth.
In this verbal clash, Ning Zhuo rubbed his face into the dirt, leaving him powerless to counter, grinding his teeth in rage.
In normal circumstances, he would have been murderous by now, shouting internally "How dare you be so eloquent!". Then, he would have attacked directly for satisfaction.
But now, inside the Xuan Armor Cave, he couldn’t act recklessly.
Especially after loudly declaring he had no relation with Zhang Wangxing’s group. Now, participating in an attack would be like slapping his own face.
"This brat is truly infuriating, makes me want to tear his mouth apart!" The Rust Disaster Craftsman, red-faced with anger, turned to Ban Ji, "Say something, would you?"
Ban Ji couldn’t help but roll his eyes.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman messed it up himself, spoiling the situation, yet he acted justified, feeling wronged that his comrade was not supporting him.
This person’s political acumen is so poor that Ban Ji didn’t even want to converse further.
"Arguing further only brings more harm than good. Let’s move! The priority is to defeat others, seize more Mysterious Armors, and strive for first place!" Ban Ji decisively withdrew.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman opened his mouth but realizing the correctness in Ban Ji’s words, he felt stifled but followed closely, momentarily ignoring Ning Zhuo.
Ban Ji, now completely composed, transmitted thoughts using Divine Sense while walking: "Have you met Ban Jie? What else did she arrange for me? Any special instructions given to you?"
Ban Ji and Ban Jie are peers, grew up together, and share a close relationship, akin to being childhood friends.
Hence, Ban Ji is very familiar with Ban Jie’s way of dealing.
The Rust Disaster Craftsman immediately responded: "Ban Jie said you need not worry about this moment. Since she has the family’s mandate to assist you, she’ll certainly do everything to plot for you."
"She advises you to ignore everything else and focus solely on your work, go all out without reserve."
Ban Ji snorted again, sensing a familiar feeling: "Did Ban Jie tell you this?"
The Rust Disaster Craftsman: "Of course."
Ban Ji originally intended to ask if Ban Jie had any other arrangements, whether there were additional hidden forces, at least allowing him to first switch to the bronze sword, facilitating the execution of Sword and Saber Combination.
But Ban Jie anticipated he’d ask this, thus instructing the Rust Disaster Craftsman beforehand, blocking Ban Ji’s subsequent queries.
This was also characteristic of Ban Jie’s approach.
She’s very understanding and often resolves others’ questions before they can even articulate them.