The Card Apprentice

Si Dongkou came down from the long-distance shuttle bus. A blinding ray of sunlight caused him to squint. Every passenger around him subconsciously stepped away from his two-meter-tall figure, as if he were a hill. His thick beard made him seem like a bandit, and the look in his eyes made everyone fear for their own life.

However, looking at how prosperous Dongrui was, a glint of gloom shimmered in his eyes. The three of them had accepted the mission of entering the Heavenly Drum Village District, but little did they know that the mission wasn’t going as well as they had planned. Now, they truly understood how influential Moon Frost Island was in that area.

Their mission had gone fine at first. Using the name of the Federal Institute of Education, along with the cooperation of the undercover staff in the Heavenly Drum Village District, they had gathered many small- and medium-sized forces.

Their strategy was to get in contact with the top power in the Heavenly Drum Village District, and that plan might alert Moon Frost Island. On the other hand, they had destroyed Moon Frost Island’s credibility with all of their might, as Constellation had successfully completed their mission. Other than Constellation and Faya, five academies of the Big Six had been spotted at the confrontation, implying their stand regarding the matter.

However, he hadn’t expected how firmly Jia Yingxia stood on their ground despite facing opposition from the five academies and Faya. Sending Moon Frost Island’s most outstanding young card artisan, Baiyue, to lead the mission in annihilating Constellation, Constellation had been devastated. They had also started to wipe out the other forces in the Heavenly Drum Village District, causing serious damage to those forces. Everyone had underestimated the determination of the Jia Yingxia toward that alliance.

Si Dongkou’s job had become grueling after that incident since none of the academies were willing to send themselves to Jia Yingxia’s slaughter. Even the heroes on the Black-Line Star Listing didn’t hope to risk Jia Yingxia at that moment. That had forced them to work in the dark.

Si Dongkou’s target was Dongrui’s Tai-shu household. According to the information provided by the spies, that unappealing family unexpectedly had one of the 32 votes. At the same time, they had also received news that the Tai-shu family needed to pass the competition of card artisan elites to ensure that they could get that valuable vote. They had finally discovered how they could use that information while studying the data of the Tai-shus.

Although the Tai-shu family was strong economically, they lacked elite card artisans! Their best card artisan was Connelly, a card artisan with level-seven perception. That was a big opportunity for them. The Federal Institute of Education had no lack of elite card artisans.

Si Dongkou stopped hesitating and stepped forward.

* * *

At the base of the Snowflake Card Artisan Team, Mobley asked, “Ah Zhe, how’s the investigation going?”

Ah Zhe’s fair and handsome face was filled with doubt. “The Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm has yet to move, and Chen Mu hasn’t come back. Isn’t it odd that he’s still at ease after being out for so long?”

Mobley muttered, “I also think things seem to be a little strange. By the way, do you still remember when they asked us to investigate the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus?”

“Yes. I was also curious during that time. Why would they be interested in the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus?” Ah Zhe’s face was full of confusion. “Is it possible that he went to look for the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus?”

“If he really wants to find the gold-mottled liquid-soft fungus, he should have gone to Dongrui since it’s nearest to them. Furthermore, the Tai-shu family is the weakest out of all those families.” Mobley knocked the table softly as he spoke while analyzing the whole situation.

“What about us?” Ah Zhe looked at Mobley and proceeded to explain. “Recently, the members of the Scarlet Card Artisan Team have been appearing around their territory. I suspect they are trying to do something to the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm.”

“Obviously. They probably guessed the head of the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm wasn’t around, and that was their chance to ambush them. The purple fluorescent extract is something everyone wants. How can they not be tempted? Lion is the greediest guy out there,” Mobley replied coldly.

“Well, maybe we should make the first move, then?” Ah Zhe’s eyes flashed. “If they were to defeat the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm, their funds would skyrocket, and that would be a huge threat to us!”

Mobley sighed softly. “Ah Zhe, how could I retire and hand over the group to you if you’re going to be so worked up over little things? Do you think the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm is a bunch of weaklings? Look at Chen Mu’s followers; every one of them can handle things by themselves. Especially Bogner—I’ve always thought the name sounded familiar. But he’s definitely a hell of a commander based on how he was able to escort Miss Wei Wei back to Qianhu. He’s a guy with brains and brawn.”

Ah Zhe was not convinced. “No matter how powerful Bogner is, he’s still a man! The Scarlet Card Artisan Team and our team are of the same rank. How can they not handle a small team like the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm?”

Mobley looked at Ah Zhe, dead-serious. “Do you remember the first time we met them? What I remember the most was the prohibition of cards artisan commands and their military-like demeanor. Furthermore, their origin is still a mystery. We still have no idea where are they from. Hmph. If the Scarlet Card Artisan Team ambushed the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm, I’m sure the Scarlet Card Artisan Team would be crushed!”

Ah Zhe thought about it for a while and came to a realization. “I now understand why you say that. The Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm isn’t as simple as it seems!”

Mobley smiled. “That’s right. The Scarlet Card Artisan Team was eying the purple fluorescent extract, which would bring an enormous profit. However, our group isn’t short on funds; hence, we don’t have to take such a huge risk. What’s most important for us right now is the elite card artisan competition that will be held in a few months. It’s the key point for us to get the right to vote for the resolution meeting. That’s our main target; don’t underestimate this vote. A single vote is worth more than ten times the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm’s profit. As long as we get this vote, our group will be untouchable in the next 100 years. Hmph! I’d rather the Scarlet Card Artisan Team make a move on the Snow Silkworm Card Artisan Firm. Then, we’d have one less competitor!”

“Don’t worry, big brother. Just focus on your training, and leave everything in the group to me,” Ah Zhe said as his eyes shone with excitement. They were pleasantly surprised that their team had been given that opportunity.

Mobley nodded. “Exactly what I was going to tell you. This time, none of the contestants can be underestimated. I’ll be proceed with my training later with Miss Qing Qing.”

Ah Zhe hesitated and asked, “Big brother, why don’t you ask Miss Qing Qing to compete for our team? If she’s the one competing, there’s no doubt the vote will be ours.”

“You think I don’t know?” Mobley sighed softly, and his eyes flashed with complicated emotions. “She can’t join,” he explained.

Mobley may have looked like a tough person, but he was actually a thoughtful man. Qing Qing had been trying to avoid talking about anything related to her identity and her past, but Mobley had a hunch. Since he had been holding that thought, the bitterness in his heart had grown heavier. Chen Mu’s origin was most likely as extraordinary as Qing Qing’s. Otherwise, how could he get her affection? Mobley knew he didn’t stand a chance, after all…

He turned to Ah Zhe and said, “Ah Zhe, send someone to Dongrui to check whether Chen Mu is at the Tai-shu household.”

Ah Zhe knew what was on his big brother’s mind, and his face involuntarily showed his hesitation. “Big brother…”

“Just go.” Mobley waved at Ah Zhe calmly. “If she’s not meant to be mine, she won’t be mine no matter what. But I still have to do something for her.”

* * *

With the Green Mark inhibited temporarily, Chen Mu’s stressed nerves finally had a chance to loosen. Nothing made him happier than reaching a mutual understanding with Xi Ping, Bogner, and a few others. Their friendships had grown deeper after that incident.

They still had to look for the demonic woman. While the Green Mark was being inhibited, it hadn’t been completely eradicated. However, he was at least able to take a break from the grim reaper breathing down his neck.

However, he didn’t rest. He’d been right about what he’d said that day. It was winter. The more effort he put in, the more hopeful he would be to live through the winter. He had become more aware of his responsibility after that incident. Back then, he would have only considered his own situation. Now, he had to consider everyone’s living conditions. In short, he’d realized what it meant to be a leader.

To Qiu Shanyu, Chen Mu had become more hardworking to an extent that it could be considered self-abuse! She couldn’t understand why would he spent so much time and effort on that.

In front of Chen Mu was a huge pile of components he’d bought from Janet’s store. Although he wanted energy gloves more, he couldn’t make them with his current ability. Instead, he was making a card appliance meant to serve the Child. The initial purpose of Chen Mu designing the card appliance was to save time.

Chen Mu had noticed that the Child performed very well, but it consumed too much time. Even if the Child had powerful computing ability, it still took a long time to calculate energy structures. While the Child did its calculation independently, he would be idling, so he’d gotten the idea of designing a card appliance to fully utilize the Child.

Qiu Shanyu stared at Chen Mu placing the components one by one. She was shocked beyond words by what he was able to do. Faya’s expertise was card appliances. While she didn’t specialize in it, she more or less understood the workings of a card appliance. Chen Mu installed the components so swiftly that it was hard for her eyes to keep up. After a moment, the assembly was completed.

The machine was a square box with six pieces of metal rhombuses on the top, like petals of a flower. The card appliance was slightly larger than a shoe box.

What is this? Based on how serious Chen Mu looked, it was apparent to Qiu Shanyu that the card appliance hadn’t been simple to make. Besides, Chen Mu was the maker of the numbered series of cards—the talk of the town in the federation.

There were no five-star card from the numbered series of cards on the market yet. That was why he had been questioned by many experienced card masters who believed he wasn’t qualified to be a card master. The ability of making five-star cards was the basic requirement to become a card master.

Even so, he was still admired by many. Every card he made received high praises. How could anyone not be excited about the card appliances of his design?