When people face their family and friends, they unconsciously fall back into old ways of thinking, and their behavior becomes more childish.
Yingxing was no exception.
For short-life species, time was extremely precious.
A single trip to the battlefield could take years at minimum, or decades at most.
He had originally thought that after parting from his master, they would never meet again.
Who could have imagined... That they would one day be reunited?
The moment their eyes met, Yingxing's eyes grew hot. He instinctively pulled up the corners of his mouth and gave Huaiyan a somewhat stiff smile.
He recalled all the delicacies he had eaten recently. The words of rebuttal had just reached his lips when Huaiyan looked away first.
Huaiyan lowered his eyes, hiding emotions that a general should not show in front of others.
Now was not the time for catching up.
The Number One member of the Genius Society had requested the "Flint Emperor" from within the Flamewheel Forge Palace.
The Xianzhou Zhuming relied on heliobi for an endless supply of energy. How could they hand it over so easily?
After discussion, "Flint Emperor" was replaced with a heliobus born because of it.
This was why the Zhuming fleet had come to the Luofu.
Huaiyan should have remained on the Xianzhou like the other generals, preparing for the Huan'en Festival one month later.
But after much thought, he personally made the trip.
This time, Zhuming and the Luofu were very close.
It would only take twenty days for Huaiyan to return to Zhuming.
If he missed this chance, how many more years would he have to wait?
When he looked up again, his eyes held a smile, and his expression was kind and gentle.
He looked at the person standing beside Yingxing.
The man wore a black round-collared robe. His brows and eyes bore some resemblance to the "Father of the Xianzhou" worshipped by the people of the Xianzhou.
A blond, green-eyed child stood beside him, tugging at the ornament hanging from his waist and whispering something.
Huaiyan froze for a moment before guessing the man's identity.
He stepped forward, raised his head, and sighed.
"I never thought I would actually get the chance to meet you..."
Zero thought, 'Yeah, if not for the heliobi...'
'I'd still be forcing myself to study right now.'
He had volunteered for this trip himself.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, he could also help Matthias skip class and spend the whole day having fun outside.
Zero returned a polite smile.
"I often hear Chanzhen mention you..."
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Huaiyan turned toward his subordinate.
The subordinate understood and handed over a briefcase.
Huaiyan softly introduced the item and carefully explained how to release and retrieve the heliobus.
After discussing business, he instinctively looked at Yingxing, his gaze moving from the dragon horns down to the pointed ears.
Zero had known about their relationship from the beginning.
Huaiyan had also guessed his identity.
Next, Huaiyan would put in a good word for Yingxing in front of him.
The reason was simple.
If something happened in the future, Huaiyan would be far away on Zhuming and might not be able to help Yingxing. He could only place his hopes on Zero.
As the general of Zhuming, now that Huaiyan had come to Luofu territory, he naturally had to chat with Tengxiao, catch up, and share a meal.
Once official business was finished, it was time for personal matters.
Huaiyan had originally planned to give Dan Feng a piece of his mind, but after seeing Zero, he changed his mind.
Unfortunately, time was limited. He could only make use of every second and do everything he could to support his disciple.
Zero had no intention of taking up time that belonged to this master and disciple reunion.
Nor did he want to waste his own time.
One day on, one day off was already his limit. He had finally found a chance to skip class...
Who wanted to stand around exchanging pleasantries?
Following Huaiyan's train of thought, Zero praised Yingxing first and then said, "Yingxing, your master treats you very well."
He quickly ended the topic, put the briefcase into his system inventory, and draped an arm around Matthias's shoulders.
Before leaving, he heard Huaiyan say to Yingxing in a tone that revealed neither joy nor anger, "Now, the Vidyadhara have gained another skilled craftsman."
Zero lowered his head and looked at Matthias.
"Where do you want to go? I'll take you."
Matthias hesitated for a while before quietly saying, "I want an ice cream cone."
The two left Starskiff Haven together.
With the Huan'en Festival approaching, Xianzhou natives living elsewhere were gradually returning to the Luofu.
They arrived at a drink shop, but it was packed.
Everyone was discussing only one topic.
The "Father of the Xianzhou," Marshal Zero.
As time passed, Zero gradually learned how to block out outside voices.
What did Marshal Zero have to do with him, Zero (not marshal)?
The two waited and waited until they finally got two empty seats.
Zero glanced at the menu. First, he ordered Jingliu's favorite fruit bucket for her at the Cloud Knight camp. Then he ordered new drinks and ice cream cones for himself and Matthias.
Someone behind them sighed.
"Father really grants every request from the Reignbow Arbiter..."
Another person's tone carried a trace of resentment.
"Yeah. No matter what gift the Arbiter gives, Father always returns double..."
Zero stared ahead, trying to ignore the surrounding discussion.
While waiting for their drinks, the stories became increasingly outrageous.
People were even talking about kneeling and kowtowing.
Zero immediately took out his jade abacus and sent Hua a message.
[Zero: Don't let them kneel...]
[Zero: It costs too many patrol tokens. Once every hundred years is enough]
[Zero: And do something about those wild stories!]
After sending the messages, the staff brought over their drinks and ice cream cones.
Zero asked, "Matthias, do you have any wishes?"
Sitting in his chair, Matthias took a lick of his ice cream cone.
The sweetness was just right.
He leaned back against the chair and gently swung his legs.
Matthias would keep the truth hidden.
His father hated machine species, yet had been willing to compromise for him...
After discovering that he had become a puppet, his father must have felt guilty.
Guilty about the changes to his body, senses, and race.
Matthias did not care about those things.
But his father favored him so much.
How could he make his father sad?
After the modifications, he and the other researchers could already taste all kinds of food.
Matthias smiled shyly.
"I want to see you in the laboratory every day."
Zero, "..."
"Pick another one."
Who wanted to study every day?
Matthias thought for a moment.
"Then can we go watch a film together?"
Half-jokingly, he added, "At my height, I can still buy a half-price children's ticket."
Zero looked at him.
After a moment, he softly said, "Okay."
After watching the film, the two returned to the institute right on schedule and ran straight into Zandar.
Without changing expression, Zero took the briefcase from his system inventory and handed it over.
Taking it, Zandar gave a fake smile.
"I told you to get some materials. It took you an entire day. What happened? Got lost?"
Zero smiled.
"They were too hospitable. We had no choice but to stay for a meal."
Matthias nodded seriously in agreement.
Zandar could not be bothered exposing their lie.
"Oh, don't forget your homework."
"In five days, you need to hand in seven reports."
Zero, "..."
'I want to die.'
With his young face, Matthias sighed like a little adult.
There was nothing he could do. His father would never ask him for help.
And even if he did help...
The person on the other side was Mr. Zandar.
One look would be enough for him to see through everything.
Zero returned to his classroom and hurriedly packed up the books on his desk.
When he walked out of the institute, Jingliu was already waiting at the entrance.
She was carrying some of his favorite pastries and smiled at him.
Zero quickened his pace and came to her side.
"What do they mean by one day on, one day off..."
"It's basically working every day of the year!"
"I have to finish the remaining four reports within five days..."
Jingliu opened the pastry box and fed him with the fork included inside.
As she watched his cheeks puff slightly while chewing, she could not help reaching out and gently poking one.
Zero narrowed his eyes.
Jingliu coughed lightly and straightened her expression.
"Husband, you've worked hard."
"Today, I accompanied General Tengxiao and met General Huaiyan."
"He wants to visit you. I'll refuse him tomorrow."
Zero swallowed the pastry.
"Forget it. If Huaiyan wants to see me..."
"Then let him come."
In the end, it was all for Yingxing.
If he could not meet Zero, Huaiyan would never feel at ease.
For the next three days, Zero continued his one-day-on, one-day-off schedule.
One day of classes, and homework during his free time.
One day off, and still homework.
On the fourth day, Huaiyan arrived at the institute under Yingxing's guidance.
Yingxing waited outside while Huaiyan went to the study room alone.
Calling it a study room was not quite accurate.
The room's ceiling was dozens of meters high and looked more like a library found on a Xianzhou street.
Filled with worry, Huaiyan came before Zero.
Before his disciple had left Zhuming, he had been a short-life species.
Not long ago, the former Zhuming General, his own guide and mentor, had visited Zhuming. Only then had he learned about Yingxing's situation.
Alongside his shock came concern.
For some reason, his disciple had become a Vidyadhara.
The Vidyadhara could not reproduce.
Dan Feng could protect him now, but what would happen after Dan Feng underwent rebirth?
Wouldn't he become the perfect test subject for the Vidyadhara to continue their race?
This had happened on the Luofu.
Only Luofu's upper ranks and the Marshal of the Xianzhou had the authority to know the details.
Huaiyan had no way to investigate. He could only do everything within his power.
He presented Zero with two weapons he had personally forged, a short dagger and a longsword.
After that came a pair of excellent dragon-and-phoenix jade pendants.
Huaiyan congratulated Zero on his marriage before getting straight to the point and asking about Yingxing.
Pushing up the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose, Zero replied, "There's no need to worry."
"Yingxing is different from them."
Zandar suspected that Zero's blood could make up for the shortcomings of lower-dimensional lifeforms.
For now, Zero had not found a more advanced system and could not reach a completely accurate conclusion.
He was not worried about Yingxing's condition.
Even if the shortcomings of the Vidyadhara were corrected, Yingxing would be fine.
What use was it if only one side could continue the race?
Well, actually, there was a way.
For example, the Mother-and-Child River Water in his inventory.
Huaiyan frowned deeply and was about to speak when Zero continued.
"He possesses half of the Imbibitor Lunae's power."
"He also possesses part of the High Elder's assets."
"The Vidyadhara's internal problems will be solved within a hundred years."
"From then on, the High Elder will hold no real authority."
Huaiyan's eyes flickered.
His disciple possessed the High Elder's power.
He possessed enough assets to protect himself.
He was no longer the key to the Vidyadhara continuing their race.
A hundred years from now, there would be no High Elder and no Vidyadhara elders.
His disciple would not be an outcast.
His disciple would live well.
Huaiyan let out a long breath and bowed his head to Zero.
"With those words from you, I can finally rest easy."
"I won't... disturb you any longer."
After taking a few steps, his attention was caught by the vase on the desk.
He turned back and asked, "By the way, those willow branches in your vase..."
Zero immediately understood.
"Oh, I don't need them anymore. You can take them."
He thoughtfully added, "No outsiders will ever learn what happens inside the institute."
Feel free to beat him.
No matter how many times Yingxing got hit, nobody would hear about it.
Huaiyan froze for a moment before revealing an exceptionally kind smile.
"Thank you."
Holding the willow branch, he returned to his disciple.
Yingxing was staring blankly ahead in boredom. Noticing his presence, he flashed a grin.
Huaiyan, "..."
Unable to bear looking at him, Huaiyan looked away.
But they had finally met again after so long, so he forced himself to look back.
Yingxing looked at the willow branch in his master's hand and immediately sensed trouble. He quickly crouched down and tried to take it away.
Unexpectedly, Huaiyan moved faster. With a flick of his wrist, he made a motion as if to strike him.
Looking at Yingxing crouching on the ground with a completely defenseless expression, Huaiyan's mind drifted for a moment.
It was as though he had once again seen that young disciple whose face would turn red after a little teasing.
In the end, he could not bring himself to do it.
Vidyadhara were tough and sturdy. Even dozens of strikes might not leave a mark.
But...
This was his disciple.
Huaiyan stopped midway, snapped the willow branch in two, and threw it into the trash bin in the hallway.
He raised a finger, tapped his disciple's forehead, and said irritably, "Yingxing, Yingxing..."
"Please give me less to worry about."
Still half-crouching, Yingxing lowered his eyes.
"I've made you worry..."
He looked up and met Huaiyan's gaze.
"But, Master, I don't regret it."
Huaiyan stared at him and asked, "...Even if you could do it all over again, you'd still help the Imbibitor Lunae?"
Yingxing answered without hesitation, "Yes."
"Dan Feng needed me."
"Whether it's Dan Feng or Jing Yuan, if they need me, I'll go."
Huaiyan remained silent for a long time before asking, "Even if it means sacrificing yourself?"
Yingxing nodded.
"Yes."
"They're not only my friends. They're also brave heroes."
"Master, if there were no Xianzhou..."
"My hometown and my family probably wouldn't exist anymore."
"Back then, I only had one thought."
"To forge weapons for the Cloud Knights and eliminate abominations."
"Even if something happened to me, they could continue eliminating abominations."
"I was fortunate enough to meet you and become your disciple..."
Huaiyan could not bear hearing this.
He immediately turned his back.
"Alright, I understand."
After saying that, he turned his head slightly and changed the subject.
"Aren't you changing your name?"
Yingxing asked in return, "Why would I change it? I'm Yingxing."
Whether he was a short-life species or a Vidyadhara...
He had never changed.
He had always been Yingxing.
Huaiyan thought to himself that the Vidyadhara had produced a clansman with the same name as the Imbibitor Lunae's close friend.
And by pure coincidence, this person was skilled in forging.
How would that sound to outsiders?
How were you supposed to explain it?
That you admired Yingxing, the Hundred-Forges?
So you named yourself Yingxing?
Rubbing his forehead, Huaiyan continued advising his disciple.
"When you have free time, make a few more weapons for that person."
The two walked side by side toward the exit.
Yingxing thought to himself that Jingliu would never allow Zero to be placed in danger.
He did not want to lie to his master, nor did he want his carefully forged weapons to gather dust.
So he quietly objected, "Give them to Zero? Wouldn't that be a waste?"
"With Jingliu around, why would he need my weapons?"
The veins on Huaiyan's forehead twitched.
He had thrown away the willow branch too early.
After leaving the institute, he parted with his disciple and met Dan Feng alone.
The next day, Huaiyan ignored official business and spent time walking around with Yingxing.
On the following morning, they arrived at Starskiff Haven.
Looking up, Huaiyan could not help sighing.
"After this farewell, who knows when we'll meet again."
"If you have time, come visit Zhuming."
Patting his chest, Yingxing promised his master, "Alright, Master. I'll definitely come see you."
Huaiyan nodded with a smile.
Then he boarded the return voyage with his subordinates.
Halfway through the journey, Huaiyan's expression changed.
'Wait...'
'That person said Yingxing was different from other Vidyadhara...'
'Different how?'
Yingxing had originally been a short-life species, not a Vidyadhara...
'That person also said the Vidyadhara's internal problems would be solved...'
'Could it be...'
Huaiyan's eyes widened.
After thinking it over for a while, he dismissed the idea.
That was the Father of the Xianzhou.
There was no way he would make such a decision.
'In any case...'
'That person definitely had another solution!'
After hesitating for a moment, Huaiyan took out his jade abacus and sent a message to his disciple.
———
[Xianzhou Luofu]
Yingxing opened his jade abacus.
[Master: Even men need to protect themselves!]
Yingxing, "???"
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[email protected]/XenosX
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