Ending the call, Lu Lin looked up to see Zuo Yiming's curious face.
"You... are going to be Master Jiang's disciple from now on?"
Lu Lin nodded.
"So when I want to comprehend Star Skills in the future, I can just find you then."
Lu Lin paused and looked at Zuo Yiming speechlessly.
Even if he studied with the teacher for one or two years, he would only be a Trainee Star Technique Guide, and it's a long way to becoming a Federation certified official Star Skill Instructor.
As Zuo Yiming is a direct descendant of a writer and his dad is the leader of the Tongyuan City Guard, does he really need Lu Lin to help him comprehend Star Skills?
"Alright, don't knit your brows."
Zuo Yiming knew what Lu Lin was thinking. He patted Lu Lin's shoulder and said, "You think just because the Zuo Family is big, we can order high-end Star Skill Instructors around easily?"
"That's not the case."
"If it weren't for my dad knowing Master Jiang from back in the day, there would've been no way Master Jiang would agree to come over for a meal."
"Brother, we count as having life-and-death bonds, your guide level won't improve much in a short time, but what we focus on is the future."
"I believe in you; you will definitely become a senior Star Skill Instructor, and maybe even a Master level. Keep it up."
Lu Lin looked at Zuo Yiming, his serious face really made him seem convincing.
If one didn't know his background, they might really be taken in by him.
"So, is this the reason you're lying on the hospital bed giggling to yourself?"
Zuo Yiming was momentarily stunned, stuck out his tongue and made a face, then stopped talking to Lu Lin and turned over onto the bed to prepare for sleep.
"Oh, by the way," Zuo Yiming remembered something, turned over and said, "Old Lu, my dad said he might be busy today, he originally planned to come see you..."
"It's fine, your dad is too polite, I didn't even help with anything."
When coming back from Lakeside Mansion at night, Zuo Zhenyu and Director Zhang had already expressed their gratitude to Lu Lin, saying that the City Bureau and City Defense Army wouldn't forget Lu Lin's contributions, and told him to rest and recuperate at the City Defense Army hospital without worrying about other matters.
Lu Lin thought they were just being polite; he didn't step forward in the battle for any honor or reward.
Regarding what Zuo Zhenyu and Director Zhang said, he repeatedly declined.
"Okay, you don't have to worry about that. My dad, if he says something, he'll definitely do it."
"No more talking, let's sleep."
Zuo Yiming covered himself with the blanket, yawned, and with some unknown habit, despite the weather not being cold, as a newly awakened talent bearer, he still slept with the blanket over his head.
Lu Lin was speechless, turned off the lights, and went to sleep.
...
Early the next morning.
Lu Lin had just finished washing up when Zuo Zhenyu came into the ward.
At this time, Zuo Zhenyu's hair was messy and disheveled, his eyes were bloodshot, and there was a circle of stubble around his mouth.
"Uncle Zuo."
"Mm, Little Lu, up so early! Good, young people should have the spirit of youth!"
Zuo Zhenyu praised Lu Lin, walked to Zuo Yiming's bed, and flipped the blanket off.
"Get up!"
"Get up you damn..."
Zuo Yiming, comfortably sleeping, suddenly having his blanket snatched away, cursed angrily.
When he saw Zuo Zhenyu standing in front of him, he instinctively pulled his neck back.
"Father."
Zuo Zhenyu, with a dark face, didn't say anything to him and poked his forehead, then sent him off to wash up.
In the room, only Lu Lin and Zuo Zhenyu were left.
"Lu Lin, did you sleep well here last night?"
"Pretty good actually."
"Uncle Zuo..."
Lu Lin was about to speak when Zuo Zhenyu waved his hand, and pulled a booklet out of his military uniform pocket.
"Lu Lin, the Lakeside Mansion robbery yesterday was not an isolated incident. Forty cities, including those in Beiou and Beimei Districts, have experienced major vicious cases."
"This was an evil act by the Black Shark Society to force the Federation to release their leader who was caught last month. It's an act to coerce the Federation into releasing the head of the Black Shark Society."
"You don't need to concern yourself with this matter anymore. Yesterday, we held a meeting in Tongyuan, and it's been decided that in this hostage rescue operation, you are the chief contributor. Whether in rescuing hostages or protecting team members and combating crime, your achievements are enough for you to be selected as one of this year's Tongyuan Top Ten Outstanding Youths, however..."
"This time, the Black Shark Society's operation was of an enormous scale, revealing their reach and intelligence acquisition in our Federation. To avoid drawing their attention to you, we've decided that we'll only award you material rewards this time, and you might not receive any other honors at the moment, I hope you can understand."
"Uncle Zuo, there's no need for this, when I went to fight, I wasn't thinking about such things..."
Lu Lin hesitated, wanting to decline.
"Do not refuse, this is what you deserve."
"To ensure your safety, the upper echelons of Tongyuan already feel guilty about not being able to give you honors, and if you don't even accept the material rewards, it will be difficult for them too."
"The City Lord of Tongyuan doesn't want to owe such a little child like you a favor."
Zuo Zhenyu said this while winking at Lu Lin.
Lu Lin instantly understood.
Claiming it as a reward is basically hush money.
This time, compared to big cities, the case in Tongyuan was relatively small.
If not for Lu Lin's help, if more casualties and social impact had resulted, Tongyuan City would certainly have been held accountable, and the City Lord and City Defense Army couldn't escape blame either.
Lu Lin's assistance makes him one of us; even if the matter gets public, it will be treated as a heroic citizen embellishing the event.
After all, a newly awakened eighteen-year-old who can bravely fight criminals and rescue hostages makes the Tongyuan City Police Department and City Defense Army look pretty bad.
Understanding these underlying intricacies, Lu Lin knew he had to accept this reward.
Zuo Zhenyu saw that he quickly grasped the situation and felt quite impressed, handing the booklet to Lu Lin.
"This is the Star Vein Refining Method used by the Federal soldiers, you can try to learn it."
"This time, the City Lord is giving you the complete version, which can upgrade all the way to Seventh Level Star Martial, which is the Golden Body Realm."
"You just got past the stabilization period after Star Vein linking, you can start refining Star Veins now."
"Thank you, Uncle Zuo."
Lu Lin sincerely thanked him.
The Star Vein Refining Method's value is both precious and common.
As long as Lu Lin gets into University, he would be issued the corresponding cultivation method upon enrollment.
Conversely, an ordinary person might never encounter the Star Vein Refining Method in their lifetime.
The booklet Zuo Zhenyu offered was more precious than a digital version.
Indicating the booklet originates from some big boss's cultivation manual, making Lu Lin's cultivation more effective.
"In addition, there's a reward of 100,000 Federal Coins from Tongyuan City, ownership of a two-bedroom apartment, and furthermore, knowing that your parents are now working on Saturn, the City Lord also said that if you are willing, you can invite your parents to permanently reside on Blue Star, Tongyuan City will solve their future work problems."
Lu Lin hadn't expected that just one accidental act of standing up yesterday would garner so many rewards from Tongyuan City.
100,000 Federal Coins.
Ownership of a two-bedroom apartment.
These two are manageable, but allowing his parents to settle permanently on Blue Star and solving their work problems is crucial.
It equates directly to two Blue Star residences!
In these times, obtaining a Blue Star residency is something not just anyone can endure.
Even though Lu Lin's citizen number starts with "LXHX" now, if he hadn't awakened his Talent, he wouldn't be able to get it even after graduating High School.