Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

You little rascal, you're dreaming!

Qin Ji flipped Bian Yushu onto the couch and slapped him several times in one spot, saying, "You're getting the benefits and you're still acting innocent."

Bian Yushu whimpered, her eyes filled with tears of pain, but she dared not move.

Only after Qin Ji released him did he cautiously get off the bed, his hands behind his back rubbing his buttocks repeatedly.

Seeing his pitiful appearance, Qin Ji casually asked, smoothing the wrinkles in his clothes, "Has the medicine been applied?"

Before Bian Yushu could answer, Fulu led several palace servants into the Qianzheng Hall and placed two large boxes in the hall.

Fu Lu bowed before the inner room door and said, "Your Majesty."

Qin Ji stood up and led Shang Jingming and Bian Yushu out of the inner hall.

His gaze swept over the two boxes and landed on Shang Jingming.

Shang Jingming stood respectfully to one side, clearly not giving himself much thought.

Bian Yushu, having been informed by His Majesty, was still somewhat curious. He secretly glanced at the box several times and then glared at his mortal enemy beside him.

"All of you, get out."

This was clearly not said to Bian Yushu and Shang Jingming. Upon receiving the instruction, the palace servants respectfully withdrew from the Qianzheng Hall.

Fu Lu was about to step forward and open the box when Qin Ji stopped him with a look in his eyes.

"Jingming, go and open these two boxes."

Shang Jingming was suddenly called out. He subconsciously glanced in the direction of Fu Lu, then looked up and met His Majesty's gaze.

Shang Jingming sensed something was amiss, but he dared not think too much about it. He bowed respectfully and said, "Yes."

Shang Jingming obeyed and stepped forward.

The sandalwood box on the left is slightly longer. The moment the box is opened, a long sword with its blade concealed in its sheath comes into view.

The scabbard is made of tanned leather with a subtle cloud pattern, giving it a simple and elegant look without being overly luxurious.

Just as Shang Jingming thought His Majesty wanted him to appreciate the newly acquired sword, Qin Ji's voice rang out in the hall at the right time, "Take a look and see if it suits your hand."

Shang Jingming suddenly looked at His Majesty, somewhat incredulous.

He had no merit whatsoever; even his infiltration of the canal gangs to obtain the account books was merely an attempt to atone for his crimes. How could he possibly dare to dream of any reward?

Perhaps it was just a test of his skills, and he was being too presumptuous.

But his sword broke not long ago when he infiltrated the canal gang, and His Majesty asked him to test it... Is it really a coincidence?

Shang Jingming held his breath and carefully took the sword from the box, gripping the hilt of the scabbard.

With a flick of his thumb, he drew his sword, accompanied by a clear, resonant ringing sound. The sword flashed with a chilling light, its smooth blade reflecting his handsome, deep-set eyes.

Even Bian Yushu, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration, "What a fine sword!"

"This sword is called 'Hebi'. It was the sword of Qi Ying, a famous general who founded the previous dynasty. It was passed down through the Qi family for generations, but eventually fell into the hands of the common people during the chaos of war. It was not until the reign of the emperor that it was collected and brought into the palace."

Qi Ying, a famous general who founded the previous dynasty, rebelled against his father in his youth and was expelled from the family. He wandered around, destitute and impoverished, mingling among all sorts of people, but he accidentally met Lu Sheng, the future Emperor Gaozu of Liang, during his time of seclusion.

Later, the political situation changed drastically, and Lu Sheng started a rebellion in Xunzhou. Qi Ying, with his martial arts skills, courage and military expertise, saved Lu Sheng from danger many times. He was involved in several decisive battles and eventually became an undefeated legend in Lu Sheng's struggle for power.

Most importantly, after the world was at peace, Qi Ying was not feared by Emperor Gaozu of Liang, but was instead deeply trusted. The relationship between the ruler and his minister was harmonious, and he was able to die peacefully.

The Qi family, along with the Lu family and the Liang Dynasty, truly achieved a shared destiny.

Even now, how could Shang Jingming not understand His Majesty's intention in having him test the sword?

His Majesty's earnest expectations for him were self-evident.

Shang Jingming felt a slight heat in his throat, and knelt down, "Your subject..."

He uttered only one word, but a surge of heat caught in his throat, swallowing the rest of his words between his lips and teeth.

Qin Ji stroked the sword case, "I present this 'Hebi' to you, hoping that you, like Qi Ying, will be reborn from adversity, and that wherever you are, you will soar to great heights with lofty ambitions."

The unspoken meaning need not be spoken; the clever second disciple will understand it himself.

The ruler and his ministers trust each other implicitly, like swords joined together.

Shang Jingming's eyes stung with tears. He steadily held the sword, bent down, and touched his forehead to the ground. His voice was deep, slow, and firm: "Jingming will not fail this sword, nor will he fail His Majesty."

Qin Ji personally helped him up, looked at his slightly red eyes, smiled suddenly, and glanced to the side, "Hold on for now, open the other box."

Shang Jingming was a little surprised. He thought that getting this sword was enough, but he didn't expect there to be more.

What exactly is going on?

What merit or ability does he possess?

"Your Majesty, I already possess the jade disc, which is an immense favor from the Emperor. I dare not accept any more."

Qin Ji raised a long eyebrow. "Disobeying the imperial decree?"

Shang Jingming dared not insist any longer and quickly got up.

The favors he received today came one after another, far exceeding his expectations, which made him somewhat uneasy.

Shang Jingming put the sword back and carefully opened another small box.

This is?

Shang Jingming took out a jade arrowhead from the box.

The jade is delicate, warm to the touch, and exquisitely crafted.

There were two more in the box, with jade arrowheads that Shang Jingming had never seen before and did not know their purpose.

Qin Ji said skillfully, "The arrow that exempts you from punishment is equivalent to thirty-five strokes of the cane. You can't escape the punishment from the Emperor of Dayin, but keep your teacher's ability safe. You'll probably need it someday."

Shang Jingming had just watched Bian Yushu use a penalty-free die, and when he heard the words "penalty-free arrow," he already understood the gist of it, and the blush behind his ears reappeared.

"Thank you, teacher." The seven-foot-tall man's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible.

Qin Ji gave Bian Yushu a meaningful look and added to Shang Jingming, "After the reduction or exemption, if the same mistake is made again, the amount reduced last time will be increased again."

Bian Yushu felt a tightness behind him.

Shang Jingming instantly understood His Majesty's intention.

His Majesty gives them a chance to make mistakes and be lenient, but the accumulated punishments must also be kept on their heads to constantly remind them so that they dare not repeat the same mistakes.

Whether it's the exemption dice or the exemption arrow, the principle is to balance leniency and severity. The key is not to let them off lightly, but to encourage them to correct their mistakes.

Shang Jingming lowered his hand and said, "Jingming understands."

Bian Yushu didn't quite understand. He was a little curious, "Teacher, why is mine a die and his is an arrow?"

Qin Ji tossed a die he had just retrieved from Bian Yushu to Shang Jingming, saying, "Tell him why."

Shang Jingming gripped the dice and tossed them casually.

six o'clock.

Bian Yushu's eyes widened as he picked up the dice and threw them away.

The dice spin, stop, three dots.

The dice are fine!

Bian Yushu handed the dice back to Shang Jingming, "You roll it again."

Shang Jingming casually tossed the toss, and another bright six appeared.

Bian Yushu was furious. She grabbed Shang Jingming by the collar and shook him violently. "No wonder you used to provoke me into gambling all the time and swindled so much money from me. You owe me!"

Shang Jingming ripped Bian Yushu's hand off his collar. "If I hadn't let you win, you would have lost everything, even your underwear."

Besides, rather than letting him be cheated by the people in the gambling den, it's better to improve his situation.

That can be considered doing a good deed every day.

Bian Yushu gritted his teeth, then his eyes lit up as if he had just thought of something. He disregarded past grievances and whispered in his nemesis's ear, "Teach me this technique, and we'll call it even."

Qin Ji listened to Bian Yushu's excited, barely-quiet voice, reached out and touched his belt, and suddenly realized that he was missing an accessory.

He just casually slapped her.

Bian Yushu covered her buttocks and jumped away, her eyes brimming with tears as she obediently surrendered.

Shang Jingming put the arrows into the box, brushed the back of his hand over three of them, and paused when he touched the fourth one at the end.

...

Does it mean it's already midnight if it's not 1 a.m.? (Well-behaved)

I'll be posting two chapters tomorrow! Let's show this to Qiao Mei, it's all fueled by love! (Big eyes, staring~)