Chapter 83

Chapter 83

"The little incident with Mu Zhilan’s family didn’t affect Xie Qingfeng's mood at all; he doesn’t care about people he's indifferent to."

"On the other hand, Hao Jixin was quite upset. While waiting for the dishes in the private room, he couldn’t help but worry, 'Master, won’t that guy spread rumors about you in school after suffering a loss today?' It’s easy to dodge a direct attack, but hard to guard against a hidden one. With that Mu something's character, I really don’t trust him."

"Jing Xi also looked over, well aware of such underhanded tactics."

"After all, he himself had grown up amidst constant intrigue, his brows furrowed and his expression darkened at the thought of his beloved possibly being bullied out of sight. 'How can we tolerate this? Should we note his license plate later and find a place without surveillance to beat him half to death in a sack?' That way, he won’t be able to harm the National Teacher anymore."

"Hao Jixin’s eyes lit up, 'Right, right, right, the sack! People like him, who act one way to your face and another behind your back. He seemed annoying but harmless when he tried to chat up earlier. Who knew he’d go behind our backs to dig up dirt on the master? The rumors he spreads could be believed by others.'"

"Jing Xi’s expression also became very serious, nodding frequently."

"Xie Qingfeng had been just listening to their conversation without planning to intervene, but as it got more and more outrageous, he couldn't help but laugh, 'Do you guys even remember why we came out tonight?'"

"'Of course, to eat. But while eating is important, eliminating threats to the master is more important,' Hao Jixin couldn’t help but flatter, though he indeed thought so."

"Jing Xi also hummed in agreement, 'From now on, I’ll accompany you to class.' If anyone really spreads rumors about the National Teacher or means him harm, he could handle it immediately behind the scenes, to avoid causing the National Teacher any discomfort."

"Xie Qingfeng, feeling helpless, asked, 'So, in your eyes, am I that weak?'"

"Hao Jixin immediately shook his head, 'That can’t be. Master, you are the most powerful person I have ever met! Second to none!'"

"Jing Xi also nodded vigorously, giving Hao Jixin a dissatisfied glance, feeling that this guy was even more enthusiastic in praising the master."

"Hao Jixin thought, 'How can I not be enthusiastic? The master is like a second parent to me, now even providing for me and a role model. I'm not even this enthusiastic when praising my own dad.'"

Xie Qingfeng shook his head: "No need, he probably won't be in the mood to go to school after this."

The moment he said this, the two turned their heads quickly: "Is he going to be expelled for wrongdoing?"

Xie Qingfeng replied, "No, that’s not it. The reason I couldn't be bothered with him just now was because I saw his family's faces... they’re not good. It’s so tragic that I didn’t feel like arguing with them."

Hearing the word "tragic," Hao Jixin's eyes lit up with curiosity. "For the master to say it's tragic, it must be really bad. Like how?"

Xie Qingfeng didn’t hide it from them, fearing that they might get into trouble out of concern, which could backfire.

"Mu Zhilan is just a rich second generation. His life started smoothly, but he can’t escape his later calamities. Not because of his own karmic debts – at most, he’s just been a gossip. It’s his parents, especially his father, who have done many evil deeds for the sake of their business, indirectly harming many. They were fine until now because of the virtues of their ancestors, but those have nearly run out. A few years ago, their decline started, but Mu Zhilan wasn’t informed. In a few days, these issues will erupt, and the Mu family... is not far from bankruptcy."

As for Mu Zhi Lan, his character has always been to demean the weak and flatter the strong. The friends he made over the years were nothing but fair-weather friends, and once the Mu family falls, the harm his words have caused in the past will come back to haunt him, teaching him a harsh lesson in humility.

Hao Jixin, recalling the attitude of Mu Zhi Lan's parents towards Mu's father, guessed a possibility: "So, they came here deliberately to intercept Mu's father, hoping for his help?" Fortunately, he had been alert; otherwise, letting them escape this predicament would have been unfair to those they deceived.

Xie Qingfeng nodded: "Exactly. But even if they hadn't run into us, Mu's father wouldn't have helped them." From the moment he first saw the trio, their fate was sealed. Karma has its ways, and the wrongs they have done, even if profitable at the time, will eventually be repaid. It's their just desserts.

Hao Jixin felt a surge of satisfaction; all they had to do now was wait for the Mu family's downfall. They wouldn't act rashly, as any misstep could implicate the Master.

Jing Xi was indifferent after hearing this, realizing there was no need to follow the Master closely since he wasn't in danger.

Although he liked the idea of spending more time with the Master, Jing Xi knew without asking that the Master wouldn't allow it.

Just as this thought crossed Jing Xi's mind, he noticed Xie Qingfeng looking at him with an indecipherable expression, as if hesitating about something.

Jing Xi slightly turned his face to show his more attractive side, "What's wrong?"

Xie Qingfeng, slightly irritated by Jing Xi's subtle action, felt a headache coming on. He couldn't understand why Jing Xi harbored such feelings towards him, especially since he didn't see anything special in himself. He had to admit, though, that he had softened towards Jing Xi, not minding his affection due to their childhood connection.

Xie Qingfeng, after a moment of silence, shared a thought that had just occurred to him, "Were you serious about wanting to follow me to school? Can you really sit through several hours of classes?"

Jing Xi, sensing something unusual in the Master's gaze but eager for more time together, assuredly nodded, "Of course, it would be an honor." He then cast a glance at He Jixin, implying that flattery wasn't beyond him either.

He Jixin, feeling slightly betrayed, grumbled, "That's just unfair."

Xie Qingfeng then suggested, "If that's the case, you should start learning university courses with me." He meant not just university courses, but also primary, middle, and high school subjects, as Jing Xi hadn't studied them before.

Having decided to keep Jing Xi by his side, Jing Xi had no way to return to the Da Jing dynasty.

Xie Qingfeng's previous threats to Jing Xi were merely to intimidate him. Even if he could reactivate the array, he couldn't be sure it would send Jing Xi back to Da Jing, possibly ending up in a completely different era. He couldn't risk it, nor could he send Jing Xi, who had struggled to be by his side, into another unknown time.

Since Jing Xi was staying, Xie Qingfeng thought it necessary to have a systematic plan for his life, starting with education.

Although Jing Xi had mostly learned to read by now, there was much else he didn't know.

Xie Qingfeng couldn't share these thoughts with He Jixin. He planned to personally oversee Jing Xi's education in these areas, as leaving him to learn on his own seemed improbable.

Jing Xi's expression froze for a moment, realizing Xie Qingfeng's intentions. With He Jixin present, he couldn't speak too directly. Swallowing hard, his gaze at Xie Qingfeng was filled with hesitation and conflict.

He wanted to be with the Master at all times, but starting to learn from scratch seemed daunting. His quick grasp of characters was due to the similarities between traditional and simplified Chinese, but having glanced at the Master’s courses, everything else seemed as incomprehensible as hieroglyphics to him.

Tentatively, Jing Xi spoke up, "Is that really necessary? I think my current knowledge is sufficient." After all, being able to read was enough, wasn't it? And who else needed to know?

Xie Qingfeng looked at him calmly, "Are you sure it's enough?"

Jing Xi, sensing an implicit threat in the question, immediately nodded in survival mode, "Definitely not enough, I'll go learn!"

He felt that refusing would be like rejecting the possibility of staying by the Master’s side in the future.

He Jixin blinked, belatedly realizing that Jing Xi's parents' incident coincided with his high school graduation, after which he disappeared from the public eye. He initially thought Jing Xi had gone to refine his skills, but now wondered...

Observing Jing Xi’s unusually subdued demeanor, He Jixin couldn’t help but laugh silently under the table: So, the fearless Jing Xi is only scared of two things – the Master and... going to school?

But his laughter chilled as he caught Jing Xi’s gaze and read his silent lips asking, "Are you seeking death?"

How dare he openly mock him?

He Jixin made a face at Jing Xi, "Scared of you? With the Master here, dare you lay a hand on me?"

Jing Xi gave him a rare, almost affectionate look, then turned to Xie Qingfeng, "Speaking of which, I just remembered something."

Xie Qingfeng turned to him, "What is it?"

Jing Xi pointed at He Jixin, still smirking, "We mentioned earlier about Mu Zhilan’s potential for revenge. While we don’t need to worry about it now, it reminded me of something. I can protect you, and with your high cultivation, you can defend yourself. But He Jixin is just an ordinary person. Isn’t it dangerous if he gets targeted for revenge in the future? Shouldn’t we teach him some martial arts for self-defense?"

Xie Qingfeng was initially indifferent, confident he could foresee any danger to He Jixin from his facial features.

Xie Qingfeng considered the unpredictable nature of life and nodded, "That's a fair point. What do you think?" He turned to He Jixin, whose expression was somewhat stiff, and earnestly proposed, "Don’t worry, he’s very skilled. If you train with him, you could definitely become a coach."

Basic physical skills would suffice, without the need for advanced internal energy techniques. It was rare to learn from a real martial artist like this.

He Jixin, sensing Jing Xi's not-so-kind intentions, reluctantly agreed, despite feeling that refusal might lead to further trouble.

Looking up, he saw Jing Xi's ‘compassionate’ smile, "Rest assured, I'll teach you very well."

He Jixin shivered, regretting his overconfidence: If only I hadn't shown off...

Jing Xi, pleased with the situation, heard Xie Qingfeng adding, “Tomorrow and the day after, on Saturday and Sunday, start by buying all the textbooks. Don’t forget.”

Jing Xi stiffened, then sighed in resignation, “Alright.”

He Jixin, also sighing, felt a kinship in their mutual plight.