Chapter Seventeen: "The True Lord of Pure Source and Wondrous Way" 0.1%!
Three days later.
Yang Xuanzhi arrived, a trace of fatigue lingering between his brows.
“Supervisor Yang,” Jiang Taichu welcomed him into the room and poured him a glass of water.
“The compensation has been approved. For your physical cultivation method, I applied for the ‘Mystic Path Body Refinement Technique’ on your behalf. It originates from Master Qingyuan of the Mystic Path, and it’s quite compatible with the ‘Mountain Ranger’ mecha.”
Yang Xuanzhi continued, “In addition, I secured ten Five-Mystery Vitality Pills and fifty thousand credits for you.”
“Thank you very much, Supervisor Yang,” Jiang Taichu replied.
The compensation was indeed generous, but thinking of his parents’ compensation left a bitter taste in his heart.
His parents’ sacrifice had only brought them a hundred thousand credits in total.
Yet this time, just the pills and fifty thousand credits nearly amounted to ninety thousand.
The body refinement technique wasn’t cheap either. Master Qingyuan of the Mystic Path was among the Federation’s top-tier mechas, and his cultivation method was anything but simple.
“No need to thank me. This is what you deserve. When something like this happens within the company, you should naturally be compensated,” Yang Xuanzhi said solemnly. After a pause, a hint of guilt appeared on his face. “I must apologize. I didn’t know your father was Jiang Hai until I applied for the compensation. That’s also why I made sure you received this outstanding technique.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. I am simply following in my father’s footsteps,” Jiang Taichu answered.
“I heard your younger brother is doing well in his studies. He might get into a top university in the future. Perhaps he’ll come work for our Earth Company one day,” Supervisor Yang joked, “If he does, I’ll personally recommend him to become a mecha engineer with us.”
Jiang Taichu observed his natural demeanor and pondered, “My brother has always wanted to know how our parents died. Does the company have any footage from that time that I could take home for him to see?”
“Well…”
Supervisor Yang’s expression grew troubled, and he sighed, “Normally, such information would be shared with the family. But not in this case.”
“Why not?” Jiang Taichu frowned.
“I’m not entirely sure. The head of the Yang family personally issued the order, and it was approved by the Judiciary Bureau—not to be disclosed.
Other than a handful of company executives, no one has the authority to view it,” Yang Xuanzhi said gravely.
“Approved by the Judiciary Bureau?” Jiang Taichu’s expression darkened.
There was only one possible explanation for this.
It involved Blue Star’s classified secrets.
Only in such cases would the Judiciary Bureau permit the company to seal the cause of death, denying even the family the right to know.
“The truth will come to light one day. If you perform well and catch the eye of the old master, you may be allowed to see it,” Yang Xuanzhi consoled him. “I’ll also do my best to help you find the answers in the future.”
Jiang Taichu remained silent.
---
Yang Xuanzhi spoke gently, “Because your father fell in service to Earth Company, the company will always remember your family. In the future, you’ll be given priority for promotions and opportunities. If you lack anything, I can report it to the company, and they’ll consider providing it for you.”
“This…” Jiang Taichu was momentarily stunned. The situation felt almost surreal.
Was there something wrong with the compensation for his parents?
“What’s the matter?” Noticing his unease, Yang Xuanzhi joked, “If you want my position, that’s impossible—I haven’t gotten a promotion myself yet.”
“I have some doubts. Supervisor Yang, you’ve been so generous with me, yet my parents were only compensated one hundred thousand credits?” Jiang Taichu didn’t hide his confusion and asked directly.
Two lives lost—no matter the circumstances, that couldn’t be all.
Yang Xuanzhi was taken aback, then replied, “That’s a hundred thousand credits per month for three years. That’s the highest compensation standard for company employees. Isn’t that enough?”
“A hundred thousand per month?” Jiang Taichu’s tone grew heavy. “But my parents died four months ago, and the total compensation was only one hundred thousand.”
Yang Xuanzhi’s face darkened. “Are you certain?”
“It can be checked,” Jiang Taichu confirmed.
Yang Xuanzhi’s expression grew grim, his eyes flickering. “Something’s not right. Don’t mention this to anyone yet. I’ll look into it and see if your family was overlooked or if this happened to everyone.”
“All right,” Jiang Taichu nodded, adding frankly, “I also went to the company’s administrative bureau, but they told me to negotiate with the company. I didn’t even know whom to approach.”
“I understand. Don’t speak of this for now.”
With a stern face, Yang Xuanzhi left.
Thinking of the Yang family’s vast enterprise, he sighed inwardly.
The family had grown bloated after so many years—internal issues were inevitable.
He just hadn’t expected that even the compensation for fallen employees would be tampered with.
After Yang Xuanzhi left, Jiang Taichu retrieved a voice recorder containing their conversation.
Though Yang Xuanzhi had acted properly, one could never be too careful.
Now it remained to be seen whether he would be expelled from the company—or whether something truly sinister was afoot.
If he was forced out, this conversation alone would be enough to prove something was wrong with his parents’ compensation and prompt a Judiciary Bureau investigation.
“Earth,” Jiang Taichu called, “sync this recording. If I haven’t heard anything by the third of next month, release this recording to the Judiciary Bureau and send a copy to my brother, Jiang Taixuan.”
“Understood.”
A cold, mechanical voice responded.
He could do no more to ensure his safety.
With the Heavenly Dao Interference Device on Earth Star 10, it would be unwise to kill him, but if Tao Zhong and the others lost their heads, who could say?
He had to be prepared. Although Earth was the company’s formation spirit, it only assisted with management and daily operations.
Formation spirits had no emotions—they were all managed by the Heavenly Dao and couldn’t be swayed by company interests.
With preparations in place, he finally turned his attention to the Mystic Path Body Refinement Technique, which, unlike the Taiqing Guidance Method, wasn’t about gentle nurturing.
---
This method used one’s own vital energy to temper the body, fusing it with flesh, blood, and bone until they became one.
By then, there would be no need to actively circulate the method; every inch of skin would brim with vast energy.
He would begin by training the exterior, tempering flesh, blood, and bone with vital energy, and only then move on to internal organs.
Having cultivated the Taiqing Guidance Method, his hidden meridians were already opened, making further practice effortless.
He easily entered the gateway, feeling the energy slowly flow and merge into his flesh and bone.
On his first attempt at the Mystic Path Body Refinement Technique, he activated six thousand hidden meridians, feeling his body’s defenses and strength both increase.
He called out to the Earth formation spirit to test his strength.
Bang.
A punch shattered the air.
The Earth formation spirit displayed the data: 16%!
Body refinement techniques not only increased defense but also boosted his energy reserves.
His skin grew tougher, muscles denser, energy more potent.
He refined the last of his Earth Marrow and moved on to mecha combat training.
…
Time passed—five days slipped by.
Throughout those five days, apart from eating, Jiang Taichu remained sequestered in his room, training relentlessly.
Tang Yu and Zhang Jing invited him to play games several times, but he turned them all down.
He had finished refining all his Earth Marrow.
His internal refinement reached 75.7%.
He practiced the Mystic Path Body Refinement Technique again—his hidden meridians now totaled over twenty thousand, surging toward thirty thousand.
Buzz—
A slight tremor in his mind, and a towering golden mecha figure appeared in his consciousness:
Master Qingyuan of the Mystic Path: 0.1%, physical body +100%, Mystic Path Method cultivation speed +100%.
At that moment, he felt his strength surge wildly, an aura of ferocity enveloping him.
A stream of unique information poured into his mind.
Physical Body: Defense, recovery, strength, and speed all doubled!
Mystic Path Method Cultivation: Any technique related to Master Qingyuan of the Mystic Path would cultivate at double speed!