Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Having said that, Qin Ji understood the implied meaning and, before anyone could back out, immediately served Jiang Jibai a cup of tea, saying, "Student Bian Feibai greets teacher."

Jiang Jibai hadn't even explicitly stated that he wanted to take on a disciple, yet Qin Ji had already changed his form of address and served tea, making it seem as if he wasn't giving Jiang a chance to back out.

Jiang Jibai had formally accepted two disciples before. Although he did not have very strict requirements for the apprenticeship ceremony, people at that time would respectfully kowtow and offer tea when they became disciples, in accordance with the principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher. His first two disciples were no different.

The person in front of me was rather unconventional. He bent slightly at the waist and presented the tea with his arms straight out, without any intention of kowtowing. I don't know if he really didn't understand or was just pretending.

Qin Ji wasn't truly ignorant; even emperors had to kowtow when accepting disciples. However, he performed the disciple's rites of two kneelings and six kowtows, and the other party was expected to reciprocate with the three kneelings and nine kowtows of a subject. Qin Ji considered it and realized that Gu Huaijin actually owed him one kneeling and three kowtows, which was quite a bargain for him.

It would be best to fold it into a board and return it to yourself.

Jiang Jibai wasn't one to put on airs, but he didn't accept the cup of tea. Instead, he got up, pulled out a thin wooden stick, about the thickness of a finger, from the vase on the display shelf, and slammed it onto the desk.

The desk was pulled with a "snap" sound, and a bit of paint was knocked off.

Qin Ji was startled by the loud noise. After he came to his senses, he stared at the desk with the paint chipped off and swallowed hard, his heart pounding like a drum.

I knew I hadn't misjudged you; you're a formidable fighter. This is... this is incredible!

Pulling the table away is such a waste, pull it away on me instead!

The lentil with its two eyes wide open on the roof almost rushed out to save the day, but Qin Ji glared at it fiercely and sent it flying to the roof of another house, looking back every few steps.

Bian Dou thought to himself, "His Majesty is willing to sacrifice so much for a worthy man? When the Grand Tutor enters the court in the future, he will surely be grateful for the Emperor's boundless grace and will serve His Majesty with his life. The Great Yin Dynasty will surely prosper!"

Jiang Jibai looked at the boy, whose eyes were wide open and who seemed frightened, and said slowly, "If you want to become my disciple, you can."

"After you've received my instruction, then decide whether you're willing or not."

Jiang Jibai is generally easy to get along with, and he can chat and laugh with his apprentice. But if you do something wrong, that's a different story.

He is ruthless and merciless, showing no mercy. He can calmly beat someone until they kneel down and beg for mercy, and he will not stop until he thinks you have learned your lesson.

Before this, crying no matter how much you cried was useless, and no one pleading for you was of any use.

At least his two apprentices would avoid him for a long time after each punishment. If they couldn't avoid him, they would be as timid and obedient as two quails.

Upon hearing his words, Qin Ji's lips pursed into a straight line; he simply couldn't control the upward curve of his lips.

Of course I'm willing! Why wouldn't I?

That's exactly what I came here for!

Is it time to make a move? Am I finally going to get what I want?

I've finally met my match; it's been so tough, sob sob.

Qin Ji shyly extended one hand and smiled bashfully at Jiang Jibai, "Please enlighten me."

Jiang Jibai chuckled, grabbed his hand, pulled him over, and pressed him down onto the desk.

Qin Ji's face turned as red as a persimmon. He never expected to be able to experience the place he craved the most first. Fireworks were exploding in his mind, and all he could hear was the thunderous sound of his heartbeat.

Is this how my long-cherished wish is about to come true? Happiness has come too suddenly!

Although it's improper and embarrassing, who cares about that at a time like this? What if the cooked duck flies away again?

Waaah, Gu Huaijin, you really are a bodhisattva!

Oh, my ancestors, thank you for your blessings!

Qin Ji's hands, which were pressed against his back, trembled with excitement.

"Are you that scared? Haven't you ever been punished before?"

"You can leave if you don't want to."

"No, I'm not unwilling!" Qin Ji replied firmly.

I'm not afraid at all.

I'm so excited my hands are shaking!

You wouldn't understand my wish of so many years.

The boy, trembling so hard that his neck and ears were completely red, remained obediently lying on the desk. Jiang Jibai's eyes flickered slightly.

They still have some determination.

She looks pampered and probably hasn't experienced much hardship. I wonder if she'll still have the determination to become an apprentice later.

Jiang Jibai raised his hand, holding the thin wooden stick.

Qin Ji's expression went blank, and tears welled up in his eyes almost instantly.

Damn, that hurts!

It hurts so much, waaaaah!

You, Gu Huaijin, have such a strong grip! How many bowls of rice do you eat in one sitting?

My wish has come true, and it feels a little bit good, but it really hurts, boohoo.

Before Qin Ji could finish his chaotic and complex inner monologue, he heard Gu Huaijin say, "That day you gave a lecture and tested 43 people, and 42 of them failed. 42 times."

42 strokes? You're going to punish me with 42 strokes for that?

Qin Ji's eyes widened in disbelief, and after hearing the story, only one thought remained.

It's a waste of your talent that you're not going to be the Minister of Justice!