The Gentleman at the End
Chapter 422 - Chapter 422 Chapter 421 Dedicated Education

Chapter 422: Chapter 421 Dedicated Education Chapter 422: Chapter 421 Dedicated Education Yi Chen first returned to the Candle Puppet Store and told the owner about the Duke’s invitation.

The owner was initially astonished, then the mouth at the center of his face began to laugh uncontrollably, taking it entirely as a joke, and even began to suspect Yi Chen of having ulterior motives and became wary.

It was not until Yi Chen displayed the “Transaction Seal” on the back of his hand that the owner reluctantly believed part of the story and immediately closed the shop to go together to the Duke’s Chamber of Commerce,

No procedures were necessary because of the personal summons, the owner just had to sign a long-term contract to be branded with another hue of the “Transaction Seal,” signifying membership in the Commerce staff.

At that moment,

New luster overflowed between the perennially discolored pupils of the owner’s eyes as the flame of his once-diminished dream was reignited. He was granted an independent workshop within the Commerce, and also permitted access to the public materials related to Candle Puppets. If he could create a Candle Puppet that the Duke found interesting, he would even gain access to higher-level materials.

In gratitude, he made any candle puppet-related service in his store free for life for Yi Chen.

The owner also proactively offered to replace it with the best candle puppet currently in the store, but Yi Chen flatly refused.

“To me, this one is the best. Go ahead and chase your dreams, boss. I might add some things to this candle puppet in the future, and I’ll need your help then,” he said.

The owner became even more curious, “What’s so good about this thing? Why can’t I see it myself… It’s clearly damaged and I even used inferior glue for the repairs, defiling such a work.”

“My eyes are quite good, and I can see the way she was when she was first made. The effort you put on her must surpass that of all the higher-grade candle puppets in your store, and that suffices.”

After bidding farewell to the owner,

As a premium customer of the Duke, Yi Chen also enjoyed complimentary accommodations within the Commerce,

Guilded by a staff member in a golden mask, he was settled into a hotel designed in human fashion. The entire hotel had been gilded by the Commerce, so not even the faint glow of Light City could penetrate, ensuring personal privacy.

Apart from premium customers like Yi Chen, ordinary customers would have to pay for their stay, starting at five hundred ancient coins per day.

Additionally, Yi Chen discovered something very interesting,

Whether it was the hotel staff,

or the attendants wandering the Commerce streets,

or even those responsible for logistics and maintenance, and cleaning staff of the Commerce, all wore the same golden masks,

Though their physical forms differed, the aura emanated by the masks was identical.

The room was a first-level suite at the top floor of the hotel, with the best lighting and viewing range, offering a panoramic view of the entire East District commerce circle,

After a brief explanation of some precautions, the Golden Mask placed his palm on his chest and bowed deeply,

“Should you need any assistance, please call out ‘Golden Mask’ at any time, and I will come to serve you as soon as possible. I hope you have the finest experience during your stay with the Commerce. If there’s nothing else, I will not disturb you further.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Is there anything else, Mr. William?”

“I was wondering if all those wearing golden masks in the Commerce area are your clones? What exactly is your role here in the Commerce?”

“Not clones, no. Those wearing the golden masks are all part of me… I am ‘the Duke’s left hand’, as I mentioned earlier, just call me Golden Mask.”

This piqued Yi Chen’s curiosity, and he continued to inquire, “Then ‘the Duke’s right hand’ must be the Silver Mask?”

“You are correct, it’s the Silver Mask.

He usually doesn’t show up directly but hides in various corners of the Commerce, covertly observing all guests, pondering their motives. If he detects any ‘criminal elements’ with strange behaviors, he tends to resolve them silently before any incidents arise.

He only reveals his true body when a significant issue arises within the Commerce… That guy is dangerous, but as a revered premium customer, you won’t be targeted by him.”

“Okay, please remind me before the auction starts.”

“No problem.”

With the door locked, the time that followed was Yi Chen’s own personal time.

“This Golden Mask should at least be of a silver frame; it’s as if wearing the Golden Mask assimilates one into their faction.

Sigh~ With such a person around, I can finally take care of some matters at ease. No longer exposed to the surveillance of the faint light, let’s begin the education!”

Yi Chen brought over two leather chairs and sat opposite the candle puppet.

Between the hollow sockets of the candle puppet, because of the burning, wax would drip down at regular intervals, or solidify around the eye sockets, Hence, she probably took out an old, well-worn oil-absorbing cloth to regularly wipe her face every minute.

If one were to disregard the traits of ‘lacking pupils,’ ‘exposed cervical vertebrae,’ and ‘visible puppet assembly marks,’ this candle puppet was still incredibly delicate in appearance.

Click~

As Yi Chen moved her third cervical vertebra, “Lighting Mode” was activated, and a white candle rose up from the top of her head.

The education that was about to take place was different. Previous education sessions would defeat the opponent through combat for a rapid thought imprinting,

This time, since the puppet already belonged to Yi Chen himself,

He would undertake a more meticulous, more focused ‘one-on-one’ education,

“If I’m not mistaken, this white candle that serves as the puppet’s power core,

should be the result of soaking a complete, living brain in a particular type of wax oil, the lengthy immersion and a certain temperature of heating cause the brain to completely dissolve into it,

Because of the wax oil’s affinity for the brain and the candle puppet master’s illness traits, the dissolved state of the brain still retains its biological features, functions, and consciousness,

Eventually obtained through some kind of ‘manufacturing’ process to yield this white candle brain.

No wonder Light City, despite its immense size, has no more than twenty candle puppet masters. The process to master perfectly is indeed difficult, and I estimate some candle puppet masters probably used tens of thousands of brains to feed their techniques.

The Old World, it’s truly fascinating…”

As a madman, Yi Chen was extremely excited upon encountering the essence of this completely new technology.

Click~ He removed his own skull cap and scratched his inflamed and itchy black insane brain with his finger.

This moment was not only face to face but also a brain-to-brain state.

Yi Chen activated the brain tissue spread throughout his muscles, raising his physical precision to an unprecedented level, while also combining the small grapes and opening an Ashen Eye in his forehead, fully focusing and locking onto the white candle in front of him.

At this moment, he would transform into a carver, starting to etch madness into the white candle with his sharp index finger,

As the carful strokes of ancient text were meticulously carved on the surface of the white candle,

The candlelight flickered uncertainly, and the puppet’s body began to convulse mechanically.

With the formation of the final stroke,

The flawless, writhing [Madness] character was successfully branded on the surface of the white candle, resembling a beautiful brain worm with its own life, which after a series of twists, burrowed into the depths of the white candle.

The puppet’s scattered consciousness, sealed by the wax, was reconstituted and restored under the influence of the Madness character,

A strong desire for knowledge was also bestowed within,

Standing up,

She held her skirt with both hands,

Bowed her knees, and lowered her head,

“Teacher!”

“What is your name?”

“Teacher, you can just call me ‘Thirteen.’ Is there anything I can do for you?”

“First, self-adjust a bit and tell me which parts of your body are uncomfortable or need spare parts replaced. Follow me to the auction later; we might come across something suitable for you.”

“Teacher, if possible, could you buy me a few books on candle puppets? I want to deepen my understanding of myself.”

“Alright, I’ll get the basics for you after the auction.”

“Thank you, teacher.”