Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Qin Ji's half-lowered eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, his complex emotions hidden deep within his eyes.

From a young age, he knew he couldn't afford to make mistakes. One wrong step could mean certain death; one wrong move could mean total defeat.

So he proceeded cautiously, meticulously planning every step, lying low for ten years, and then struck with lightning speed, startling the entire world.

Now that he reigns supreme, he knows even more clearly what responsibilities he bears on his shoulders.

The once prosperous and flourishing empire of the Great Yin Dynasty was like a magnificent building on the outside but decaying inside. Although there were many loyal and righteous people willing to sacrifice their lives for it, it could no longer withstand too much turmoil.

He worked tirelessly day and night, demanding the utmost of himself.

Because he not only wanted to turn the tide and save the collapsing empire, so that the people could live in peace and prosperity, but also wanted to win the submission of all directions and the hearts of all under heaven. He wanted to leave a strong mark on history books, and he wanted Qin Ji's life to no longer be that of a lonely prince in the cold palace with an uncertain future, but rather the powerful and influential ruler of the Great Yin Dynasty, a wise and benevolent monarch whose virtue benefited all people.

But Jiang Jibai's words were like a feather gently tickling Qin Ji's tense nerves, giving him a chance to relax and take a short break.

As the ruler of the Great Yin Dynasty, he had to be constantly vigilant and not allow himself to make any mistakes.

However, as Jiang Jibai's apprentice and Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming's teacher, he doesn't have to be perfect.

He can make mistakes too.

Qin Ji was never a sentimental person. Once he understood, he quickly adjusted his mindset. He stroked the jade pendant at his waist and hummed, "It's because you have too low expectations of yourself. You just open your mouth and offer an apology, and that's it. It's not you who's in pain."

Qin Ji glanced at Jiang Jibai several times with a wicked look, which puzzled Jiang Jibai. However, the little disciple's mood seemed to have improved a lot.

Jiang Jibai took his complaints as a form of coquetry and was about to say a few more words of comfort when he saw his little disciple's eyes light up as he reached out and tugged at the "accessory" on his waist.

Qin Ji: "How about you let me fight back?"

A good apprentice has good fortune, so how can we keep it to ourselves? Of course, we should share the good fortune with everyone!

Jiang Jibai: "..." Reversed the Heavenly Gang.

He casually glanced at his young apprentice's claws.

Qin Ji reluctantly released his grip. "Just kidding. You really are something, can't you take a joke?"

Jiang Jibai put his hand on his waist and pulled off the accessory.

Qin Ji scurried down the ladder from the roof, angrily saying, "What happened to the promise to correct things promptly and not let them go to waste?"

Jiang Jibai slowly tied the accessories back on, leisurely climbed down the ladder, and took the hand warmer from Qin Ji's hand. "Just kidding, really, can't you take a joke?"

Qin Ji: "..."

With the warm stove taken away, Qin Ji tugged at his empty hands.

He suddenly bent down and quickly piled the thick layer of snow that had just fallen onto Jiang Jibai's boots, burying both feet completely.

Qin Ji buried the body and then ran away.

Jiang Jibai simply squatted down, put down his hand warmer, and casually made a few snowballs, throwing them one by one at the retreating backs of his junior disciples.

They all chased after the dragon's rear end.

Qin Ji dodged left and right, but was still hit. He clutched his wound and jumped three feet high. "A teacher shouldn't be so petty. You're being disrespectful to your elders."

Poison Master, you threw a snowball with such force; your Stone Lock training was truly worthwhile.

The elderly man, not yet thirty, pulled his two boots out of the soft snowdrift: "An apprentice can't be too lawless. Think about the future."

Qin Ji: "..."

Poison Master, if you dare to use your position for personal revenge, I will kill you.

After a playful tussle, the master and apprentice got their clothes and shoes wet. After changing into clean clothes in the house, they sat facing each other by the stove and drank ginger soup.

Qin Ji, dressed in Jiang Jibai clothes, slowly sipped the ginger soup that stung his throat, and suddenly said out of the blue, "Thank you."

Jiang Jibai knew what he was thanking him for, and a very faint smile appeared on his face.

Although there's no need for thanks between master and disciple, he readily agreed to his junior disciple's sincerity, saying, "Mm."

"I need to leave early today," Qin Ji suddenly requested.

Jiang Jibai didn't ask him where he was going, but simply added some more charcoal to the hand warmer and handed it to him, saying, "Happy birthday."

This time, Qin Ji was no longer tormented by guilt. He simply treasured the blessing and planned to pass on this teacher's blessing to his disciple in the same way.

...

After leaving the Jiang residence, Qin Ji did not go directly to the Bian residence, but instead went to the East Market.

He stood on the main street of Dongshi, touching the jade pendant at his waist with some worry.

He would naturally not give the congratulatory gift from Jiang Jibai to Bian Yushu. This would not only be a desecration of the Poison Master's intentions, but also a perfunctory gesture towards his cheap disciple.

What should I give as a gift?

As the ruler of a country, why would he need to personally handle matters like selecting gifts in the past? He could simply give an order.

However, he was presenting Bian Yushu with a birthday gift as a teacher, not as a companion bestowed upon Bian by the King of Dayin.

To simply copy the same pattern and present a jade pendant?

Not only was it too late to carve a specific pattern, but he also didn't want to do anything that copied what others had already done.

Besides, Bian Yushu's birthday is a bit special. That kid might be hiding somewhere crying, so we have to coax him.

Qin Ji sighed.

What a troublesome kid.

Qin Ji suddenly seemed to remember something, turned around and walked to a deserted corner, clearing his throat.

Lentil appeared, "Your Majesty."

When is Shang Jingming's birthday?

Since Qin Ji had intended to use Shang Jingming before, he naturally had someone investigate him. Now that this kid is considered his second disciple, he doesn't show favoritism like the Poison Master. He plans to treat everyone equally and not be biased.

After all, the problem isn't scarcity, but inequality.

"On the seventh day of the twelfth month, he was seven days older than Young Master Bian."

Isn't that already over?

Qin Ji touched his nose guiltily, preparing to recall what had delayed him that day.

Lentil, with great insight, added, "That was the day you punished him with sixty strokes of the cane and took him as your disciple."

Qin Ji: "..."

Did I ask you? You damned lentils, why are you so talkative?

Very well, neither of his apprentices ran away; they were both thoroughly wronged by him...

How can this not be considered fair treatment?

...

By the time they arrived at the border residence, it was already dark.

Qin Ji, leaning against the wall, said, "Flat beans."

Bian Dou, whose monthly allowance had been withheld due to the wrath of Qin Ji, emerged from the darkness with his eyes devoid of light and handed him a set of night clothes.

Qin Ji changed his clothes in silence.

His special status made it inconvenient for him to openly attend Bian Yushu's birthday celebration, but he could still accompany the founding disciple to celebrate his birthday and make him happy.

Qin Ji took the black cloth from Bian Dou's hand and covered his face with it.

To be honest, it was quite exciting for a monarch to do something like this for the first time...

Cough, no, the national identity of a monarch cannot be lost. There is no Great Yin King here; he is just an ordinary masked man in black.

Suppressing his eagerness, Qin Ji asked, "Where is Bian Yushu now?"

The lentil resignedly leaped onto the wall, disappeared in a few bounds, and then quickly returned, "Ancestral hall."

...

Thanks to @ThisIsMyAbstractID for the complimentary massage!

Thank you all for the gifts and for your love and support.

Sorry for the long wait, thank you all for your concern, love you all.