Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Jiang Jibai was carried down the mountain by Qin Ji. When his feet touched solid ground, he felt a shiver run through him.

He loosened his veil, which had almost been blown away by the mountain wind, and straightened his disheveled clothes.

Qin Ji stepped back, asking smugly, "Isn't he your little disciple? Isn't he amazing?"

Jiang Jibai calmed his slightly disordered breathing after being jostled all the way, a smile flashing in his eyes. He cupped his hands in greeting, "Yes, thanks to Hero Bian. If it weren't for Hero Bian, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get down the mountain today."

What great hero? That's hero Qin!

Since the poison master was unaware of his identity, Qin Ji merely snorted, indicating that he was fairly satisfied.

The master and apprentice climbed into the carriage one after the other, and each took off their veils and put them aside.

Qin Ji told the coachman to set off.

Jiang Jibai objected, "Yanqing is still on the mountain, shouldn't we wait for him?"

Qin Ji waved his hand: "What's there to wait for? Those students are going to block you. If they can't find you, they might follow Fang Yanqing. Be careful, he might have a whole bunch of followers following him."

If you don't run away before the students have a chance to come down the mountain, do you want to be surrounded again at the foot of the mountain?

Those students followed him but couldn't find your whereabouts, and they didn't know that he was also your disciple. Since they got no results, they naturally dispersed.

"Fang Yanqing is with Gu Zhenhe. With his thick skin, do you really think he won't have a carriage and won't make it into the city in time?"

Upon hearing the words "his shamelessness," Jiang Jibai's brow twitched.

Why does it sound like the relationship between the second disciple and the youngest disciple isn't as harmonious as he imagined?

Although the words were unpleasant, the junior disciple's words made sense, so Jiang Jibai did not insist. Instead, he corrected the address in a nonchalant manner, "What Fang Yanqing? Fang Yanqing, that's your second senior brother."

After the words were spoken, the two fell silent for a moment.

Why does this sentence structure sound so familiar?

Qin Ji looked out the window, at the carriage curtain, and at the bottom of the carriage, but he wouldn't look at Jiang Jibai.

Jiang Jibai touched his empty belt with regret, and scolded with a half-smile, "You never learn."

Qin Ji glanced at him out of the corner of his eye and realized that his teacher wasn't wearing any accessories today. He immediately straightened up and said, "Tsk tsk, why aren't you wearing any accessories today? Are you afraid the students of Songjian Academy will recognize you? Mr. Gu is truly renowned for his martial virtues!"

Jiang Jibai wasn't offended. He leisurely rolled up his sleeves and asked with a smile, "Why did Pei Lian suddenly want to challenge you to a duel?"

Qin Ji's mischievous expression froze, and he retorted, "I'm dressed so handsomely, maybe they saw my inner talent through my appearance and felt threatened."

This kid, he should just explain, but he tries to flatter me by wearing the same clothes as me, saying I look dashing. He's obviously guilty.

"Is that so?" Jiang Jibai declined to comment.

Qin Ji's momentum suddenly surged, and he turned the tables, saying, "What, you don't believe me?!"

Jiang Jibai neither said he believed him nor disbelieved him, but only glanced at him and said, "We'll talk about it when we get home."

What do you mean, "Let's talk about it when we get home"?

What could be different about the carriage and the Jiang residence?

Isn't it just a tool that's almost handy?

Poison Master!

Qin Ji pressed down on his chair angrily, enjoying the temporary comfort of being seated. "Why did you come to this poetry gathering today? Aren't you afraid of being mobbed in a crowd at such an event?"

"At someone's invitation."

Seeing the obvious dissatisfaction in his young disciple's eyes, Jiang Jibai smoothly changed his tune, "I just happened to hear Gu Zhenhe invite you to the poetry gathering last time."

Qin Ji suppressed the corners of his mouth that were curling up. "Really? I thought you came here for Fang Yanqing."

Jiang Jibai found the sarcastic tone amusing.

"I only know that Yanqing will be coming to the capital soon, but I don't know the exact date, so how could you be so sure?"

If I had known that my second disciple was coming to the capital today, I would have made some preparations to welcome him back.

Of course, there was no need to say the latter part in front of the junior disciples.

Jiang Jibai is now well-versed in how to appease his young apprentice. "Today was originally your day off, and I specially set aside time for you. Knowing that you would be attending the poetry gathering, I readily accepted Zhao Siye's invitation."

That's more like it, Qin Ji was finally satisfied.

"How did your apprentice perform up on the mountain? Did he embarrass you?"

He spoke modestly, but his expression clearly told a different story.

Jiang Jibai's smile deepened, and he readily praised, "Radiant and spirited, I imagine the gentlemen are quite envious of their teacher."

Qin Ji's lips remained upturned the entire way, and he didn't let them down even when the carriage arrived at its destination.

Even when Jiang Jibai led him to the couch in the inner room of the study and brazenly wiped the bamboo clappers in his hand with a handkerchief in front of him, he still didn't stop.

Isn't it just a little bit of good fortune?

It was expected.

No, I'm not afraid.

Qin Ji grunted twice under Jiang Jibai's gaze, making a token protest before obediently lying down on the couch, not forgetting to grab a pillow and put it in his arms.

At this point, they became quite self-aware.

Jiang Jibai spoke calmly, feigning ignorance, "What are you doing? Didn't you say that Pei Lian saw your outstanding talent and felt threatened, which is why he challenged you to a duel?"

Poison Master, could it be that you took out the board just to wipe it clean to prevent it from getting dusty?

It's obvious they've come with ill intentions!

Moreover, there is a high probability that they have already obtained preliminary evidence.

Qin Ji muttered to himself, "It was just a joke, you really can't take a joke..."

Jiang Jibai didn't make a move immediately. Instead, he dropped his playful expression and asked, "So, you're admitting that you provoked them first?"

So what if he provokes us? This arrogant brat needs to be taught a lesson.

As the supreme ruler, I am already showing him respect by provoking him.

Pei Lian should be grateful!

Feeling cool, arrogant, and domineering inside, Qin Ji didn't hold back with his words either, "Who told him to always act so haughty..."

Before I could finish speaking, a familiar chill ran down my spine.

Before the dragon's buttocks could adjust, the bamboo slats ripped through the air.

A burst of fiery heat suddenly erupted.

The place, which hadn't received any blessings for a month, trembled violently.

Qin Ji kicked his leg, straightened his body, and his expression went blank for two seconds.

A cry pierced the heavens, sharper than his music.

It was just teasing a little kid.

I even helped you save face today, Poison Master, you have no heart!

Jiang Jibai tapped the bamboo stick on the red mark and confirmed again, "Did you say, 'Even with your chin raised this high, you still can't see his nostrils'?"

Gu Zhenhe, you big mouth, not only do you want to become my junior brother, but you also dare to badmouth me.

I will have you executed by slow slicing sooner or later! Execution by slow slicing!

"without……"

Before he could finish speaking, the bamboo slats pressed down, and Qin Ji protested, "Do you intend to torture me into...?"

The bamboo clappers made intimate contact with him once again.

Qin Ji burst into tears, admitting, "I told you! I told you!"

"You may seem unreliable, but you are actually mature and methodical. You don't seem like the kind of person who would cause trouble for no reason."

Despite being words of understanding, Qin Ji's heart skipped a beat.

Jiang Jibai, as expected, asked pointedly, "Why did you expose Pei Lian's weaknesses and deliberately provoke him?"

Qin Ji froze.

This question isn't difficult to answer, but will his good fortune disappear after he answers it?

...

First update delivered, second update at 12:00.

We're 500 units short of generating electricity with love, let's all keep going!