The security checks were so stringent that even the smallest details had to be inspected thoroughly.

Aside from its superior performance compared to common materials, it could perfectly adapt to most Superior Blessing enchantments. It could also withstand being worked by a craftsman more than nine times, retaining the special effects imbued with each crafting.

It was for these reasons that it was used to make the reaction chambers and precision components of top-tier Power Armor. Any model that utilized it was a true weapon on the battlefield, capable of decisively turning the tide amidst thousands of troops.

A veritable strategic resource.

And just a tiny leak could put an entire chain of people at risk of exterminating their families.

"Not to speak out of turn, but this method of Melting... must have been done by some apprentice—no, wrong, it must have been done intentionally, right?"

Ji Jue knocked on the metal of the crate, disdainfully critiquing.

If the Melting method had been any better, Ji Jue wouldn't have sensed something was amiss through a mere layer of paint. But it was precisely because of this imperfect Melting that the Shoushan Copper was prevented from reacting with other metals.

The heat was meticulously controlled, stopping at the critical point of reaction to ensure the properties remained intact.

Regretfully, the skill level was still mediocre, merely a cover for the Melter's own deficiency in extraction techniques.

This also suggested that the recipient's skills were equally average.

Otherwise, even if the copper had been alloyed and reacted, it should be possible to exchange it through other means.

For these two crates' worth, the weight alone should suffice for a swift and definitive self-destruction in prison.

But just how deep did the waters run behind this affair...

Things were getting a bit complicated.

Initially, it was just a mere favor to help out with some side job; why did it always lead to so much trouble?

Ji Jue thought it over, ignoring Yue Ting's whimpers, and, after wrapping several more layers of Mercury around his mouth, left the storage room and made a call.

Half an hour later, two trucks roared into view.

They parked right in front of the door.

After verifying identities, several well-outfitted men wordlessly began moving everything onto the trucks, and those deservedly dead fugitives were dispatched without even the chance to speak, sent on their way prematurely.

Simultaneously, the Security Bureau had already thoroughly expunged records of this capture operation in the Northern Mountain District.

"Hey, young Ji, you did well this time."

Old Zhang, who came with the trucks, patted his shoulder with a beaming smile, "It's all thanks to you. Otherwise, bringing back this stuff would've meant overtime and scapegoating for the whole month."

After learning the whole story, even Zhang, who lazed around on the division's sofa, shuddered at the chaos of it all. How could a simple smuggling check turn up so many pitfalls?

He was genuinely shaken.

Not by the smugglers themselves, but by the myriad demons and monsters springing up in Cliff City, as if after a spring rain. Just considering smuggling alone, compared to that guy who shipped out boatloads of Mutated Pollution, this was nothing!

The tumultuous times might have ended, but troubles didn't spare the winter.

Based on his years of experience in shirking work, the best course of action was to not rush; this was merely the tip of the iceberg. The worst was probably yet to come!

"The tide doesn't seem right lately; you be careful too."

Old Zhang sighed, looking at the two crates being loaded onto the truck, his head shaking helplessly.

Ji Jue nodded with a polite smile.

Then... he stuffed his pocket, where he had covertly slid a Shoushan copper ingot with Non-attack, a bit deeper.

The saying goes, pluck the goose as it passes; how could he let such a fine material slip away when delivered to his doorstep?

If you don't take it, and I don't take it, how is Commissioner Tong supposed to take it?

And if Commissioner Tong doesn't take it, how is everyone going to make progress?

Moreover, Tong Zhiwu had already hinted on the phone; no action, no smuggling, no crates, and certainly no Shoushan Copper.

Even if taken back, it was meant for destruction, for the sake of the current status quo. Not a single hair from these two crates should remain in this world.

Even if a storm was brewing, it couldn't break in Cliff City's territory.

Anywhere but here!

"You consider this working for the Tong family too?" Old Zhang said, his tone lax yet ponderous.

"We're friends simply lending a hand to each other; it's nothing official."

Ji Jue shook his head nonchalantly, "Besides, as an apprentice who doesn't even have a craftsman's certificate, why get involved in such messy affairs?"

Old Zhang's smile broadened, reflecting satisfaction.

A teachable youth.

Making a buck where possible, steering clear of troubles—that's the logic of living.

So what if the Tong family is rich?

The farther away the trouble, the better.

"Ah, right, almost forgot."

He slapped his bald head, "Moving to a new home, congratulations!"

"Don't make fun of me," replied Ji Jue with a sigh. "The basement at home was just too crammed to be useful, so I set up a little workshop. I've only just moved in and haven't organized anything yet.

Once everything is sorted, I'll invite everyone over for a drink to celebrate."

"Well, you better hurry up. Little Wen has been off alcohol for nearly a week now, I think she's about to cave."

The two burst into laughter.

After carefully ensuring nothing was left behind at the scene, Old Zhang checked on Ji Jue's health before he left.

Confirming he had mostly recovered and didn't suffer any lingering effects, he gave a couple of perfunctory instructions to 'rest more,' then patted his butt and left.

Before leaving, he simply mentioned that after his workshop was officially relocated, the big fellows in the Northern Mountain District had a gift for you.

This made Ji Jue very curious.

Unfortunately, this time Little An's lips were sealed, no matter how he asked, he couldn't get anything out of her—if he kept asking, she would just start avoiding eye contact.

"Seriously, why so secretive?"

Ji Jue scratched his head.

He was afraid.

The last time someone suddenly gave him a gift, he hadn't recovered from the surprise...

Little An blinked, looking pitiful: "Sister Wen doesn't want me to tell."

"Alright, alright."

Ji Jue sighed, stepped on the brakes, dropped the youngster off at the entrance of the game hall, watched him walk away, then turned around and made his way to the outskirts of the Northern Mountain District.

Another warehouse area by the sea.

Next to Professor Ye's workshop, a few hundred meters away, was an old two-story building with some years on it.

Since the Sun-burning Day ten years ago, Cliff City's real estate prices had completely collapsed. A once-expensive seaside standalone home had been ignored for many years.

After returning to Cliff City, with the various salaries, allowances, and subsidies retroactively issued by Tong Zhiwu's company, Ji Jue had enough to buy ten such old buildings full of premium fixtures. For once, Ji was flush with cash and with a wave of his hand... after haggling with the original owner for two hours, he took it off their hands for 70% cash on what was already a pitifully low price.

Following four or five days of renovations, the place was now filled with various items that hadn't been tidied yet, all sorts of chaotic storage.

Junk from Spring City, recycled materials, and a few lathes and milling machines that had passed through countless hands, along with an accumulation of miscellaneous items from the original basement.

Everything was in boxes, piled up in disarray, not yet organized.

After carrying his bag and locking the door behind him, Ji Jue confirmed the spiritual enclosure was intact, ensuring no one had been in since his departure, and he headed straight to the basement.

The basement was shockingly spacious compared to the upstairs and already housed an alchemy furnace that he had excavated from the ruins of Spring City.

Ignoring the near-absence of any supporting infrastructure, one could almost pinch their nose and force themselves to say this was a workshop.

Unfortunately, aside from a scrapped furnace, it was lacking everything.

It had the beauty of a startup company on the verge of bankruptcy.

"Poor, still poor..."

Gazing at the stark barrenness before him, Ji Jue sighed lightly and stretched out his hand to slowly close the door behind him.

Click.

A soft sound.

Then immediately, with the ticking of the seconds as crisp as fire, pitch-black marks spread out from the handle in all directions, engulfing everything in the basement in an instant.

In a flash, everything changed utterly.

Amid the absolute silence, the vaulted ceiling rose and the floor lowered, transforming the somewhat empty basement further into a dilapidated platform. Accompanied by the dissipation of mist, an ancient train covered in cracks appeared silently on the tracks like an apparition.

A soft warm light came on inside the carriage, illuminating Ji Jue's face.

With a clear scraping sound, the train doors slowly opened.

Silent anticipation.

Ji Jue hoisted the Shoushan copper ingot from his bag and waved cheerfully:

"Hey, hey, hey! Family, it's feeding time again!"

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