Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Although he had already vaguely guessed that the young disciple's unusual behavior was to provoke a beating, Jiang Jibai was still shocked when he heard the boy's straightforward request with his own ears.

The eldest and second disciples usually avoid him when they commit crimes, and try to stay away from him. How could they take the initiative to come to him and ask for punishment like this?

Moreover, this wasn't the first time his junior disciple had deliberately provoked him and stirred up trouble.

Jiang Jibai always adhered to the principle of reason when assigning responsibilities to his disciples; how could he punish them without teaching them?

He frowned slightly, his probing gaze fixed on the boy's eyes, and asked in return, "What do you think?"

Qin Ji had already anticipated this outcome, and he pursed his lips, unsure of where to begin.

It's still related to the grandfather and grandson we met at the foot of Mangshan Mountain.

It's not that I'm still trapped in feelings of self-blame.

He just wanted to use Jiang Jibai's hand to give himself a wake-up call.

He was the emperor, and his decrees were like a monstrous wave. The grandfather and grandson were nothing more than mayflies caught in the turbulent waves, insignificant and unremarkable.

Their families were destroyed, and their grief was unbearable. They would only become insignificant and pitiful victims in the grand narrative of Qin Ji's achievements in pacifying and pacifying the country.

It might garner some sympathy, but it's insignificant.

Qin Ji wouldn't have to pay any price. He could even exonerate the old woman's son and the little girl's father, and they might even sincerely praise him as "Your Majesty is wise," further enhancing his image as a wise ruler.

He holds supreme power; if he doesn't stay clear-headed and keep himself in check, nothing will be able to restrain him anymore.

He had to remember that these “insignificant” lives were living, breathing people with joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, not just cold, lifeless names on a list of executions, or a string of dry, imminent numbers in a minister’s memorial.

He wanted to use Jiang Jibai's hand to remind himself to resist the numbness and arrogance that had grown from being immersed in power for so long.

But he couldn't bring himself to say these words; he couldn't even be honest with Jiang Jibai about his identity.

Therefore, he could only make a seemingly absurd request to Jiang Jibai.

The boy's silence suddenly reminded Jiang Jibai of the demands he had made on him.

Jiang Jibai asked, "Is it inconvenient for you to tell me what happened?"

It's probably possible to make things up.

Fang Yanqing stumbled upon the affair between the grandmother and grandson and then pointed the way to Shen Jiangliu. Jiang Jibai will find out sooner or later.

Qin Ji could easily link his unusual behavior today to the "derelector's dereliction of duty" in this case, just as he had previously turned his murderous intent towards the young Prince Rui'an into an attempt to advise His Majesty.

However, he had told Jiang Jibai far too many lies.

"Can you not ask?"

The boy's eyes were like a bottomless well, dark and deep, as if filled with many unspeakable thoughts.

His heart was heavy, like the sound of his piano playing—lonely, obscure, and uneasy.

Sometimes, Jiang Jibai felt that his little disciple was very mysterious.

What he saw was only the tip of the iceberg that the boy had shown him.

The boy seemed bound to the spot by a heavy shackle, half-concealed, half-revealed, as if wanting him to see something, yet unwilling to reveal the whole truth to him.

Jiang Jibai was caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to advance or retreat. He could only stand behind the red line that Shang Jingming had drawn for him, watching through a hazy fog.

He said calmly, "Although I don't know what happened, if you just want to vent your guilt and relieve your self-blame through this, I can't help you."

When the young disciple said that he had advised His Majesty to kill the young son of Prince Rui'an, and that he had also grieved for his mother's passing on his birthday, he had both acted in a way that provoked a beating.

Jiang Jibai then assumed that he was feeling guilty and sad for similar reasons.

He tried to comfort her, saying, "If something is bothering you, this method won't really make you feel much better. Maybe you could try to make amends?"

Seeing that his junior disciple remained silent, he patted his side, gesturing for Qin Ji to sit down beside him, and placed a hand on the junior disciple's shoulder. "Perhaps sometimes you are just too harsh on yourself?"

Just like back then, you insisted on speaking to His Majesty simply because you didn't feel any pity for Prince Rui'an's two children, and then came to me to stir up trouble and invite a beating.

You are clearly reflecting on yourself, yet you deny yourself because of a dark thought and come to me seeking guidance.

A wise person judges by actions, not intentions; if we judge by intentions, no one in the world is perfect.

You may have dark thoughts at times, but as long as your actions remain righteous and you don't actually harm the innocent, you don't need to treat yourself so harshly.

Jiang Jibai's voice was gentle yet powerful, like a warm current flowing into Qin Ji's heart.

Qin Ji had thought this through very thoroughly, yet he was still grateful for his teacher's guidance.

He picked up the bamboo board next to him, placed it on his lap, and gently brushed it across his lap.

"I am not trying to escape anything through your punishment; that is not the way to solve the problem."

But I believe I need to receive some necessary punishment.

Qin Ji squatted down beside Jiang Jibai's legs, placed the bamboo board on Jiang Jibai's knees with both hands, looked up at those eyes that were full of tolerance, and said, "Teacher, because of the job, there are many things I cannot tell you, but please trust my judgment."

I am not a rash or impulsive person. Making this request of yours is a well-considered decision, and I am certain I will not be wronging myself.

Qin Ji smiled calmly, "Like I said before, who wants to get beaten up for no reason?"

The boy's mature and composed smile put Jiang Jibai at ease.

The young disciple certainly didn't seem to be stuck in a rut.

"That's hard to say." Jiang Jibai raised his hand and pinched the boy's chin. "How come I remember someone coming here to ask for a beating on their birthday?"

Qin Ji was slightly taken aback.

He felt guilty for slapping his eldest disciple on his birthday, but Jiang Jibai mistakenly thought he was asking for it because his own birthday was the anniversary of his mother's death.

This was a misunderstanding, but Qin Ji was unable to correct it.

He could only assure everyone, "It's not the same thing."

"Besides..." Qin Ji paused slightly, tugging at Jiang Jibai's hand that was gripping his chin, "Do you really think there's nothing wrong with him using his height to mock Pei Lian and invite a beating from you?"

Qin Ji blinked slowly. "You can't abandon your principles just to fish and find out my true intentions, can you?"

"Then I'll be even less polite to him next time."

"Pei Lian, you shorty!"

Jiang Jibai: "..."

...

First update delivered, second update at 12:00.

I didn't update yesterday, but even though I'm still 880 words short, I'll still update twice tomorrow!