Upon hearing these words, Jing Yuan froze for a moment before asking in confusion, "Yanqing, what do you mean by that?"
With his experience, he naturally understood the abilities of a heliobus, which were nothing more than manipulating people's minds, causing emotions buried deep within to erupt. Therefore, in this state, Yanqing might actually be speaking the truth.
However, Jing Yuan recalled that the bond between him and his disciple had always been close. How could he have provoked the boy to say such things? It was truly perplexing.
Yanqing took a deep breath and said, "Master Jing Yuan, I've wanted to bring this up for a long time, but I kept it buried in my heart… On the day I became your disciple, you deceived me with a fake Aurumaton. Do you remember that?"
Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow. "How did you find out?"
…
It was a sunny noon at Jing Yuan's residence, during the early days of Jing Yuan and Little Guinaifen's livestream. They were in the midst of shooting a short video.
At that moment, Guinaifen was in charge of filming, while Jing Yuan held a microphone, singing passionately in front of the camera:
"Mend your pace, sway to the beat~ Hands up, embrace who you wanna be~~" (Original song by a certain famous galactic singer)
"We're reaching heights unseen~ Oh~ Ohhh—"
"…"
Knock, knock, knock—
Yanqing stood outside the door, politely knocking and waiting for a moment. Ten seconds later, a visibly annoyed Guinaifen flung the door open. "Who is it? We're in the middle of recording a video here, okay? And you show up right when we're about to finish?"
Yanqing took two steps back and bowed apologetically. "Sorry, big sister. I'm Yanqing. I saw Mr. Jing Yuan's apprenticeship advertisement online and made a phone appointment…"
Guinaifen's expression softened. "Oh, it's you. Come in, then. Want some ice cream?"
Guinaifen led Yanqing inside and settled him in the living room. "Wait here a moment. Mr. Jing Yuan will be out soon. I'll go prepare the contract."
Yanqing: Contract?
Creak—
Just as Yanqing was puzzling over this, the inner room's door suddenly swung open. From his perspective, a white-haired youth clad in golden armor, with two golden ribbons trailing behind, stepped out. The moment Yanqing laid eyes on him, he was certain in his heart: This man is no ordinary person!
"Young friend Yanqing, I am Jing Yuan. A friend from afar brings great joy," Jing Yuan said with a smile. "I understand your intentions—you wish to refine your martial skills and temper your mind. Though I am no expert, I am willing to take on the role of your teacher. The fees are divided into daily, monthly, quarterly, and annual tiers, each with different discounts…"
"Master Jing Yuan, before that, Yanqing has one request."
Seeing how quickly things were moving, Yanqing hurriedly said, "I humbly ask that, before taking me as your disciple, you demonstrate your strength to your student."
Jing Yuan's smile faltered for a moment. "Of course. However, my expertise spans many fields, and I dabble in a bit of everything. What would you like me to demonstrate?"
Yanqing stroked his chin, thinking seriously. "Please allow me to consider carefully."
But before he could ponder for more than a few seconds, Jing Yuan smiled again. "Hmm… Young friend Yanqing, I've thought of the most straightforward method. As they say, 'You can only deal damage if you're alive.' How about I demonstrate my 'Hundred-Resistance' technique?"
Yanqing looked puzzled. "May I ask, Master, what is the 'Hundred-Resistance' technique?"
Jing Yuan replied, "Hundred-Resistance, as the name suggests, is a technique that allows one to withstand a hundred different attacks. No matter, I'll show you myself."
Jing Yuan led Yanqing to the courtyard, where a three-to-four-meter-tall Aurumaton stood in standby mode.
As if realizing something, Yanqing exclaimed in shock, "Master Jing Yuan, could it be that you're going to…"
Jing Yuan nodded. "Exactly. The object for this demonstration is this Aurumaton."
Yanqing's heart raced with shock. Having aspired to join the Cloud Knights since childhood, he was well-versed in such mechanical constructs. The Aurumaton, a key demolition unit in warfare, was a terrifying war machine combining durability, damage output, and support capabilities. Most frighteningly, it possessed a unique "Incarceration" trait—one elbow strike could knock out even the bravest Cloud Knight on the spot.
And yet, this Mr. Jing Yuan had the confidence to face an Aurumaton? Truly unfathomable!
Under Yanqing's watchful gaze, the Aurumaton slowly activated its combat mode: "Great~ Treason~ Against~ The~ Way!"
Jing Yuan stood calmly in place, neither dodging nor evading as the Aurumaton slowly approached.
Yanqing's heart clenched with worry. No way, is Mr. Jing Yuan really going to take that 'earth-shattering elbow strike' head-on?
Boom!
The Aurumaton's disciplinary whip struck Jing Yuan's stomach, kicking up a cloud of dust that obscured Yanqing's view.
When the dust settled, Jing Yuan stood unscathed, maintaining the same posture as when he was struck, completely unmoved.
End of flashback.
"Hmm? That… that doesn't add up, does it?"
Stelle, who had listened to the entire story from the sidelines, couldn't help but voice her doubts. "If you didn't see the details back then, how did you conclude that Master Jing used a fake Aurumaton to deceive you?"
Yanqing replied, "Because the price of an Aurumaton on the Xianzhou is listed at 1.2 million credits."
Everyone: Ohhh, that makes sense.
Yanqing continued, "Not only that, but later that month, when Little Guinaifen was doing the accounts, there was an extra medical expense."
Everyone: Well, that's not surprising then.
Yanqing pressed, "Master Jing Yuan, you used such tactics to trick me into paying for your apprenticeship. What do you have to say for yourself now?"
Under everyone's gazes, Jing Yuan showed no sign of panic. He stood with his hands behind his back, letting out a slow sigh. "Alas, that cursed Phantylia—not only has she wreaked havoc across the Luofu, doing as she pleases, but now she's even taken the form of my disciple…"
Everyone exchanged glances: Is that for real?
"Hmph, did you think you could fool me like this? Friends, lend me your strength and let us defeat this obstructive illusion together!"
Initially, everyone suspected Jing Yuan was just trying to cover his tracks and knock Yanqing out to silence him. But at that moment, Bailu chimed in with her usual reliability: "So this Yanqing is a fake! I knew Master Jing wouldn't do something so shady! Dragon Soars to the Heavens—"
Stelle: "Hey, don't be so impulsive… Ugh, fine, I'm in too!"
March 7th: "Hey, don't be so impulsive… Ugh, fine, I'm in too!"
Dan Heng: "…I'm here."
Bang bang bang bang, boom boom boom— (Sounds of chaotic fighting)
Jing Yuan turned away, unable to bear watching the scene. "My dear disciple, your master cannot bring himself to strike you, so… alas, I hope you understand my painstaking intentions."
"Crow Takes Flight!"
Yanqing: "Argh—"
"Mount Tai Crushes!"
Yanqing: "I surren—"
"Black Tiger Sweeps Golden Mane!"
Yanqing: "Master, save—"
"Oh? Calling for your master to save your life now?"
Under Bailu's lead in the group assault, Yanqing was quickly knocked unconscious, collapsing to the ground. His index finger twitched in defiance, his figure pitiful.
Whoosh—
Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, a turquoise flame suddenly emerged from Yanqing's body and dove straight into Jing Yuan's.
"Old Jing!"
Bailu called out in concern, "What was that thing? Are… are you okay?"
However, Jing Yuan simply stood there, as if he hadn't heard her. The silence lasted for a full ten seconds before, suddenly, Jing Yuan broke into a wide grin—