Immortal Mortal Chapter 5: Things That Are Taboo To Me

No wonder the recruitment officer was utterly astounded. No wonder the surrounding throng gasped in shock after hearing Mo Wuji's declaration to apply as a drug refiner assistant.

Even though Rao Zhou City held the esteemed position of capital for the Cheng Yu state, the number of drug refiner assistants was scarce, and actual drug refiners were even fewer.

Most individuals who served as drug refiner assistants were elderly gentlemen. Consequently, encountering a drug refiner assistant as young as Mo Wuji was an extreme rarity. This scarcity wasn't confined to Cheng Yu State alone; it was a phenomenon across the entire Xing Han Empire. Such a nascent prodigy in the art of drug refining was deemed to possess immense potential and an unfathomable future. It could be safely predicted that a drug refiner assistant as young as Mo Wuji would undoubtedly ascend to the rank of an actual drug refiner within a few decades, barring any unforeseen circumstances.

An original qualification certificate for a drug refiner assistant? Mo Wuji's heart plummeted. Where on earth would he procure such a document?

He instinctively observed the astonished faces and skeptical gazes of the onlookers. He then grasped the situation fully. *Cough*, Mo Wuji continued, his voice even, as if unaffected, “I haven't had the opportunity to participate in the official drug refiner assistant qualification test, but I have already attained the requisite level.”

Mo Wuji perceived a distinct shift in the crowd's demeanor.

The recruitment officer composed herself, the guarded apprehension previously etched on her face vanishing entirely. Instead of anger, a calm inquiry followed, “Then, from which drug refiner school did you graduate? And who was your esteemed teacher?”

Mo Wuji surveyed the room once more. He finally noticed that a multitude of applicants were clutching small books. Even from this distance, he could discern the inscription on the book held by the applicant nearest to him: Rao Zhou Mining Research School Graduating Certificate.

Mo Wuji had not anticipated that securing employment here would mirror the practices of his previous world, demanding formal qualifications. Observing the proceedings, he surmised that even for other positions, his lack of credentials would prove an insurmountable obstacle.

Noticing the recruitment officer's visibly waning patience, Mo Wuji could only offer a sheepish chuckle, “Well... I am self-taught, therefore I possess neither a graduation certificate nor a mentor.”

“Ha ha ha…” A jester in the crowd finally erupted in laughter. It seemed this seemingly impressive drug refiner assistant was merely an imposter.

The recruitment officer of the Cheng Ling Pill Workshop maintained a stoic expression, refraining from laughter. However, an ominous and chilling look settled upon her features. The Cheng Ling Pill Workshop stood as one of the premier drug refining establishments in the entirety of Cheng Yu State. The audacity of someone attempting to make a mockery of her position was intolerable.

As Mo Wuji observed the middle-aged woman's simmering displeasure, sensing her imminent eruption, he thought to himself, “This is not good.” Precisely at this critical juncture, a sudden, jarring noise interrupted Mo Wuji just as he was about to speak. “Eh, is this not our King? My King, why have you graced the association with your personal presence? Do you not have court duties in the imperial forest beyond the city walls? Ah, of course; my King is here to conduct an inspection. Prithee, forgive my lack of decorum, quickly pay your respects to the King.”

The voice dripped with sarcasm and a flippant tone, devoid of the deference and courtesy it proclaimed.

Mo Wuji turned, observing a young man in casual grey attire sauntering towards them. He recognized the man; he had been among the group of youngsters accompanying Wen Manzhu the previous evening. The man possessed a passable appearance, carrying an air of vanity.

“He's that Northern Qin Prefecture...” The middle-aged recruitment officer suddenly understood, and the anger that had been clouding her face dissipated. The man was clearly unhinged; why concern herself with his antics?

A wave of amusement rippled through the surrounding crowd, clearly believing Mo Wuji had come solely for amusement.

“Zhaoxu, do you find this highly amusing?” A frigid voice sliced through the air, abruptly silencing the laughter within the association as if an unseen force had clamped it shut.

A lady, draped in a resplendent purple gown, stood poised at the association's entrance. Her figure was lithe, her hair cascaded long, and her breathtaking beauty instantly rendered the entire assembly pale. These physical attributes, however, were secondary. The truly significant detail was that the girl was someone widely recognized by most present. Wen Manzhu, the sole heir of Cheng Yu State's Rao Xian Prefecture Marquis, Wen Ju.

Within the vast expanse of the Xing Han Empire, a Prefecture Marquis was akin to a single drop in an ocean – a person of negligible consequence. Yet, within this association, and specifically in Rao Zhou, his status was paramount.

“Manzhu...” Zhaoxu hesitantly called out, the awkwardness in his tone stemming from Wen Manzhu's evident displeasure. He regretted not noticing her arrival sooner, which had ruined any positive impression he might have built. He recalled a past comment he'd made about Mo Wuji in front of Wen Man Zhu, suggesting Mo Wuji's actions were understandable given his circumstances. This single, seemingly innocuous remark, however, had exposed his true nature to her.

Sidestepping Cai Zhaoxu, Wen Manzhu moved directly towards Mo Wuji. She produced a cloth pouch and offered it to him. “Xinghe, take this back and give it to Yan’Er.”

The pouch jingled with the sound of clinking gold coins. For Mo Wuji, who was in dire need of funds, even a single silver coin would have been welcome, let alone this pouch brimming with gold.

Mo Wuji harbored no ill will towards Wen Man Zhu, nor did he hold a particularly favorable opinion of her. He felt no anger regarding her past abandonment of the spiritless and deranged Mo Xinghe. He'd encountered countless people like her on Earth, pragmatists through and through. He reasoned that if the Mo family had faltered and Mo Xinghe had lost his mind, Wen Manzhu would undoubtedly have left. So many people are willing to share in good times, but how many truly stand by during hardship?

Due to his current predicament and the echoes of his past life, Mo Wuji felt no inclination to acquaint himself further with someone like Wen Manzhu. Regardless of her beauty, he had no desire to become involved with such a woman. Even with his pressing need for money, he refused to accept Wen Manzhu’s gold; Mo Wuji lived by his own principles, and he possessed his pride.

His thoughts turned to Yan’Er, who would never abandon him. How many women in the world could be like her? Such a person is encountered perhaps once in a lifetime, often after fervent prayers and countless rituals. Having experienced such devotion, Mo Wuji understood its profound preciousness more clearly than anyone.

“Since it's intended for Yan’Er, you should deliver it to her yourself,” Mo Wuji stated, turning to depart. After a few steps, he paused, spun around, and added, “That's right, my name is Mo Wuji, not Mo Xinghe. The ‘Ji’ in 'Bai Wu Jin Ji'—though, of course, I am not entirely without matters that are taboo to me.”

Hearing Mo Wuji’s declaration, Wen Manzhu felt an unexpected flutter in her heart. Was this a name change? As Mo Wuji began to walk away, she reacted, calling out swiftly, “Xinghe... Wuji, Yan’Er refuses to accept it; you should take it...”

Yan’Er was unwilling to accept it? Mo Wuji felt an urge to burst into laughter. This woman's attitude toward him… Good, this is excellent.

“My Wen Family is hiring at our ore refinery. If you are interested, you could go…” Wen Manzhu suddenly felt a deep conviction—the Mo Xinghe before her, no, the Mo Wuji, was no longer the prince who idly dreamt of kingship until his mind fractured. He had transformed; his pride, now imbued with a palpable passion, made the change in him undeniable.

Mo Wuji stopped once more, looking at Wen Manzhu. “Looking to the sky and laughing my way out? How could I possibly be an ore refiner? I’m already too indolent to be a mere assistant drug refiner. If I were to be anything, it would be a drug refiner.”

“Ha ha ha…” Mo Wuji let out a hearty laugh, his demeanor exuding a majestic aura.

His majesty wasn't unfounded arrogance; it stemmed from genuine reflection. Compared to the woman who had betrayed him, Wen Manzhu was infinitely superior. Yet, he had been so consumed by his biological and medical research that he had remained oblivious to the women around him.

Returning to life, Mo Wuji vowed he would never allow such a situation to repeat itself. Never.

“Ha ha…” Laughter echoed through the association once more. Clearly, no one believed Mo Wuji was speaking the truth. Most assumed he hadn't fully recovered, and that his delusion had merely shifted from aspiring to be king to wanting to become a drug refiner.

It could be argued that Mo Wuji had held a faint prospect of becoming a king. However, the notion of him becoming a drug refiner held absolutely no hope in their eyes.