Chapter 429, Who Exactly Are You?

Translator: Silavin

 

The Green-Robed Hermit was quite satisfied with his own work.

 

His craftsmanship was highly praised even by the Elders of his Clan, and naturally, he took pride in it.

 

Yet now, a young man who had accidentally stumbled into his residence was actually saying his work had flaws, which naturally displeased him.

 

“Hehe.” Qin Yichen smiled faintly and directly pointed out the biggest defect of the zither, “This object has no flaws, but it is merely a lifeless object without any Spirit…”

 

Having received the inheritance from Master Lu Ban, his perspective on things was completely different from ordinary people.

 

If this Green-Robed Hermit was just an ordinary craftsman, then his Technique was indeed impeccable, but if he was a member of the Gongshu Clan, then he was merely at the Entry Realm – as a Craftsman.

 

A lifeless object and a living object were completely different concepts. A lifeless object, no matter how exquisite, was ultimately just an ornament.

 

“You…” The Green-Robed Hermit stared at him in astonishment. By now, the slight displeasure in his heart had completely disappeared.

 

He never expected that Qin Yichen could actually identify the flaw in his work.

 

Indeed.

 

In terms of craftsmanship, few within the Clan could compare to him. However, he was unable to impart Spirit to his creations.

 

“Who are you? Why have you come here?”

 

After a moment, the Green-Robed Hermit became vigilant and questioned.

 

Only someone extraordinary could have such insight.

 

Turning stone into tools, bringing plants to life – in this era, these had become legends, myths.

 

“I am Qin Yichen, and I bear no ill intentions.” Qin Yichen cupped his hands and smiled at him.

 

He could confirm with certainty that this was the secluded dwelling of the Gongshu Clan.

 

If it was the Gongshu Clan, the enormous Illusion Array outside would make sense.

 

For Lu Ban Descendants, possessing such skills was to be expected.

 

*Hmph!* The Green-Robed Hermit snorted and looked him up and down, saying coldly, “This is not a place for you. Please leave.”

 

He directly issued an order for the guest to depart.

 

” I have come here seeking an audience with the Gongshu Clan. I hope you can convey this message for me.” Qin Yichen cupped his hands again.

 

*Swish!*

 

When the words ‘Gongshu Clan’ left his mouth, the Green-Robed Hermit suddenly stood up, his pupils filled with disbelief.

 

The Gongshu Clan. It was a Clan long forgotten by the world.

 

Even in the ancient records of the top Forces on this continent, there might not be any mention of the Gongshu Clan.

 

Throughout the entire continent, those who knew of the Gongshu Clan’s existence were as rare as Phoenix Feathers and Qilin Horns. Yet now, it was suddenly mentioned by an outsider. The shock in the Green-Robed Hermit’s heart was imaginable.

 

“Who… who exactly are you?” As he spoke, the Green-Robed Hermit placed his hand on a silk thread. If he pulled this thread, it would sound the alarm, and his Clansmen would quickly arrive.

 

“I am Qin Yichen, of the Human Race!” Qin Yichen stood tall, his voice full of vigour.

 

The Green-Robed Hermit squinted at him, his gaze flickering. After a moment, he said coldly, “There is no Gongshu Clan here. Please leave!”

 

“In that case, I guess you don’t want to know how I learned of the Gongshu Clan’s existence?” Qin Yichen smiled calmly.

 

Indeed, this was what the Green-Robed Hermit wanted to know most. Since the Gongshu Clan had secluded themselves here, they had never been disturbed. Qin Yichen was the Gongshu Clan’s first visitor.

 

“Hmph! As I said, there is no Gongshu Clan here!” The Green-Robed Hermit still looked at him coldly, but the flicker in his eyes revealed that he was actually very curious.

 

“Hehe.” Qin Yichen did not expose him. Not many people knew about the Gongshu Clan, so why was this Green-Robed Hermit so certain the Gongshu Clan was not here?

 

If he were truly an outsider, should he not even know what the Gongshu Clan was?

 

“The Ancestor of Craftsmen, Master Lu Ban, defeated the invading Foreign Race with his own strength. After achieving fame and success, Master Lu Ban retreated from the world…” Qin Yichen spoke of Master Lu Ban’s life with a solemn face. The reverence on his face came from deep within his heart, moving even the Green-Robed Hermit beside him.

 

“With Master Lu Ban’s retreat, the Lu Ban Sect quickly vanished, and the Dao of Crafting fell into obscurity…”

 

Hearing this, the Green-Robed Hermit could not help but sigh.

 

Indeed.

 

Under Master Lu Ban’s leadership, the Lu Ban Sect had once been at its peak, and Crafting was widely spread, with numerous disciples seeking higher attainments.

 

But now, Craftsmen have become marginalized.

 

Whenever he thought of this, a feeling of anger would rise in his heart that he could not release.

 

However, they currently could not infuse a Spirit into their creation. In other words, like the zither in his hands, without Spirit, it was merely a lifeless object.

 

“How do you know about these old fables?” Suddenly, the Green-Robed Hermit came to his senses and asked.

 

The Peerless Master of a whole generation, Lu Ban, had long been buried in the annals of history. In the current era, how many knew the name of Master Lu Ban?

 

“Could it be…” Looking at the smile on Qin Yichen’s face, the Green-Robed Hermit was suddenly struck, “Could it be that you’ve encountered the Lu Ban Sect?”

 

“Have you heard of Twilight City?” Qin Yichen did not answer directly but asked instead.

 

Although the Great Prosperity Grand Empire was quite far from here, Qin Yichen believed that the Gongshu Clan, as Lu Ban Descendants, would definitely not give up searching for Lu Ban’s Inheritance.

 

“Twilight City?” To Qin Yichen’s surprise, the Green-Robed Hermit shook his head, then explained, “Our Ancestors left behind a precept that no one from our Clan may leave the Clan. Even though I can go out, I am limited to the range of Jade Cloud City.”

 

“I see.” Qin Yichen nodded thoughtfully.

 

It must be that the Ancestors of the Gongshu Clan, to prevent the exposure of the Gongshu Clan’s whereabouts, had left this precept.

 

[No wonder the Gongshu Clan had remained hidden for so long without leaving any traces.]

 

This time, if it were not for the bamboo zither left by this Green-Robed Hermit, Qin Yichen would not have been able to find this place.

 

In his previous life, Qin Yichen remembered that a great figure in the Gongshu Clan was critically ill. At that time, he had made a name for himself in this region, and since he had no entanglements with other Forces, the Gongshu Clan had sought him out and offered him conditions that moved his heart.

 

“How is Elder Qingmu of your esteemed Clan?” Thinking of that critically ill great figure, Qin Yichen asked.

 

“Elder Qingmu…” Thinking about Elder Qingmu’s current condition, the Green-Robed Hermit frowned, but quickly raised his head, “How do you know about Elder Qingmu?”

 

He was certain that within the Clan, except for his occasional outings to explore the situation of the outside world, there was absolutely no second person who had gone out.

 

So, how did this young man before him know about the situation within his Gongshu Clan?