Zhen Hua appeared to be in his thirties, but his eyes carried a weary weight that spoke of centuries. His arms were unnaturally long, like those of a gibbon, and the skin on his hands possessed a striking, jade-like sheen. These were the hands of a man who had pampered his sense of touch to the peak of perfection. Standing before his forging table, he raised an eyebrow at Qiangu Zhangting. He already knew the boy's background. This was the young scion of the Qiangu family and the prized disciple of his old friend, Makino.
"Since you are Makino's disciple, I shall call you Zhangting," Zhen Hua said calmly. He acknowledged the business order from the Spirit Pagoda and agreed to fulfill it. He even offered to include rare metals from his private collection for the mecha components, a gesture of respect for Makino. However, when the topic of cutting in line arose, the Divine Craftsman's expression hardened. He shook his head slowly. Principle was his law. If he allowed the powerful to jump the queue, his standing as the only Divine Craftsman would lose its integrity.
Makino shrugged at his disciple, his eyes saying I told you so. He was genuinely curious to see how Zhangting would handle this wall of principle. Many had tried to bribe or pressure Zhen Hua, only to be turned away with polite, firm gifts. Zhangting did not look discouraged. He stepped forward until he was face to face with the master. He thanked Zhen Hua for the access to the rare metals but insisted on reciprocating the kindness. He reached into his storage tool, and a human-shaped object bound in tape appeared on the floor.
The package bore a prominent label: Confidential Shipping.
Zhen Hua frowned. A strange, inexplicable pull urged him to open the package immediately. He felt a flicker of familiarity that shook his soul. He reached out with his delicate hands, but Zhangting stopped him. "Senior, this is a private delivery," Zhangting whispered. "Please open it in a private space." Zhen Hua hesitated, his eyes lingering on those four words—Discreet Shipping. He picked up the package and hurried into his private lounge, leaving Makino and the others outside in a state of confusion.
A few moments of silence passed. Then, a roar of pure, explosive energy shattered the quiet of the top floor. "Qiangu Zhangting!" The shout was so loud it penetrated the soundproof walls of the lounge. It was a sound of absolute irritation and shock. The door creaked open just a crack. Zhen Hua's face peeks out, his complexion as black as the bottom of a forging pot. He glared at Zhangting with a burning intensity. "Come in," he hissed. "Come in alone."
Inside the cultivation room, the atmosphere was heavy. Zhen Hua sat opposite Zhangting, trembling with suppressed emotion. Beside them, resting on a soft sofa, was the contents of the package. It was a doll. But it was no ordinary toy. It was a masterpiece of craft that shared a 98% similarity with Yuan Baoer, the junior sister Zhen Hua had loved and lost. It was so realistic it seemed to breathe. Zhen Hua's voice was a low growl. "What do you mean by this?"
Zhangting smiled slightly. He did not blink. He knew the history of the three senior brothers who had studied under the Greatmaster Yuan. Zhen Hua and Mu Chen had both loved the master's daughter, Yuan Baoer. But while Zhen Hua had surpassed their teacher to become the world's only Divine Craftsman, he had lost the girl. Mu Chen had won her heart. Zhen Hua had chosen a life of solitude, never marrying, proving that his junior sister held a place in his heart above all else.
"I know the falling flowers are willing, but the flowing water is heartless," Zhangting said, launching a direct psychological offensive. He detailed how Zhen Hua had confessed his feelings and been rejected. He spoke of the seclusion that followed, which led to Zhen Hua's breakthrough as a legend. Zhen Hua was completely stunned. He was filled with shock and confusion. These were secrets buried deep in the past. Not even Mu Chen knew the specific details of that rejection.
"How do you know this?" Zhen Hua asked, his voice shaking. He looked at the doll, then at the youth before him. Zhangting had not just brought a gift; he had brought a ghost from the Divine Craftsman's past. He had found the one weakness in a man who had everything. By providing a physical anchor for Zhen Hua's lifelong regret, Zhangting had done more than bribe him. He had opened a door to the Divine Craftsman's soul. The queue no longer mattered. The principle had been bypassed by a far more ancient law: the law of the heart.
Next Chapter: The Chief Technical Advisor — A Deal with the Divine.