High Martial Arts: Liver Becomes the Master of the Universe

Chapter 202 The Jar for Raising Gu, Ideological and Political Education! Returning to Qimingxing (a fictional character) after a period of decline.

Inside the bamboo forest, the sound of the wind remained unchanged.

But this gentle breeze, which should have been soothing, turned into a sharp whistling sound in Qin Feng's ears, as if countless wronged souls were crying and questioning him.

Yu Han's words were like sharp blades forged from millennia-old ice, each sentence and word revealing the bloody, cold skeleton of reality nakedly before his eyes.

"When Sun Chantang treated your illness, when you received the Starry Sky Beast Type II gene serum, and when you accepted the 'Perfect Hand' technique, why didn't you refuse?"

A rhetorical question struck Qin Feng like a heavy hammer blow to the heart.

He could not refute the underlying logic—he enjoyed the empire's top-tier resource allocation, which in itself represented a form of selection and injustice.

But deep within his heart, the simple principles that originated from the morning star, the Qin family, and countless comrades-in-arms who taught him with their lives were roaring wildly.

"This is different."

Qin Feng's voice was hoarse, but unusually firm.

He raised his head and looked directly into Yu Han's deep, star-like eyes, where there was no wavering.

"If accepting the 'Perfect Hand' and any top-tier resources comes at the cost of paving the way with the lives of innocent compatriots, and allowing traitors of the empire to slaughter our people abroad, then I would rather never have stepped into the path of martial arts in my life!"

His voice suddenly rose, like a thunderclap in the quiet bamboo forest, "Back then, Master Sun helped me get rid of my illness and personally told me to embark on the path of martial arts to protect humanity!"
It's not to make me endorse this heretical practice of 'feeding' geniuses with the lives of my fellow countrymen!

Professor Yu Han, that's sophistry! I need to see Lord Zhou Xiong!

I want to ask him face to face whose order this was!
"Is the glory of the Ultramarines Chapter, the glory of the Empire, built upon the bones of our own people?!"

Qin Feng's emotions, like a volcano that had been accumulating for thousands of years, erupted at this moment.

This is blasphemy.

The most thorough desecration of everything he believed in, and of the martial will he forged with blood and fire!
"..."

Yu Han fell silent.

Looking at his disciple, who resembled an angry lion, and at the pure, blinding flame in his eyes that had not been extinguished by time and slaughter, he felt a distant and bittersweet resonance.

Once upon a time, he himself...

After a long while, Yu Han finally suppressed the turmoil in his heart and continued to play the role of the spokesperson for the cold order in an even colder and more authoritative tone.

"Qin Feng, put away your immature emotions."

You must understand that the Empire spares no effort and spares no expense in nurturing a genius like you.

He held up one finger and performed a precise calculation.

Let me do the math for you.

"If you can kill the demon blessed by Khorne, you will gain tremendous benefits and be able to go further in the future. If you become a black hole-level master in the future, you can protect all the humans in an entire galaxy, kill countless alien races, and indirectly save more of your compatriots."

"And black hole level is merely the starting point for geniuses like you."

Yu Han paused, giving Qin Feng a moment to catch his breath and think, before throwing out the most cruel bargaining chip.

"Because we strategically allowed Shi Dang, this 'pawn,' to wreak havoc in the border star field for a short period of time, according to the precise calculations of big data models, the upper limit of the direct or indirect death toll will not exceed three million."

"Three million, and a guardian deity for the future of humanity, whose starting point is at the level of a black hole."

Qin Feng, now tell me, which is more important?

Yu Han's gaze was like a knife, piercing straight into the depths of Qin Feng's soul.

"Under certain circumstances, the Empire will either nurture or 'free-range' demons."

The demons that are left to roam freely will become nourishment for the most outstanding geniuses in our warband.

Use a controllable demon to give birth to an immeasurable hero.

This is one of the ironclad rules that the empire has summarized after countless years of bloody wars with chaos and all races.

This is also the true meaning of the Empire's border regions—they are a whetstone, a screening ground, a…breeding ground for venomous insects.

Qin Feng fell completely silent.

His tall frame trembled slightly at that moment.

It wasn't out of fear, but because of a huge shock stemming from the collapse of one's worldview.

His proud and unwavering resolve began to crack in the face of this cold, precise, and seemingly irrefutable "imperial truth."

He couldn't argue.

From a purely rational perspective and the perspective of maximizing interests, Yu Han's logic is sound.

Three million is less impactful than the cold, hard numbers in a battle report for a vast empire that measures in light-years and galaxies.

The strategic value of a black hole-level powerhouse is indeed immeasurable.

but……

After a long silence, Qin Feng spoke with difficulty, each word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth: "What about our human compatriots who were sacrificed by the Chaos Demons, those who made up those three million numbers...?"

"In this cold and cruel universe, we firmly believe, and must firmly believe, that there is only the interest of the entire human race, and no individual gain or loss matters."

Yu Han's voice grew even colder, yet within that chill was a barely perceptible, deeply buried sorrow.

He didn't seem to be speaking to Qin Feng, but rather to himself and to that long-forgotten past.

"Born on the frontier, one must be prepared to sacrifice oneself for the empire at any time."

This is their destiny, and also their glory.

Sacrificing a small portion of humanity in exchange for greater benefits for the entire human race is well worth it.

"What if it was your best friend who was sacrificed?!"

Qin Feng's question was like a red-hot iron, scalding Yu Han's most sensitive nerves.

What if your family members are among those three million compatriots?!

What about your parents, your best friends, and your mentors?!
Do you still think it's worth it?! Professor Yu Han!

"Om-!"

In Yu Han's mind, it was as if a star had exploded in an instant.

Qin Feng's words were like a key, a key stained with blood and tears, that forcefully unlocked the door deep in his memory that he had sealed with endless regret and pain.

His pupils contracted violently in an instant, shrinking to the most dangerous pinpoints.

For the first time, that unchanging, icy face contorted violently.

He seemed to see mountains of corpses and seas of blood, a burning planet, and countless familiar faces turning to ashes amidst wails.

A scalding tear uncontrollably streamed down his cheek, but the moment it fell, it was instantly evaporated by the terrifying spiritual energy emanating from his body, leaving not a trace.

He was rendered speechless by Qin Feng's pointed question.

At this moment when tensions were running high and the atmosphere was at its most frozen,...

Step, step, step——

A series of heavy footsteps, as deep as a collapsing mountain, slowly echoed from the depths of the bamboo forest.

Each step seemed to tread upon everyone's heart, freezing the air itself.

A figure even taller and more robust than Qin Feng slowly walked out.

He was dressed in the standard training uniform of the Ultramarines, and beneath the black fabric were terrifying muscle contours that looked as if they were cast from divine metal.

His face was square and his eyes were dignified. He was Zhou Xiong, a black hole-level powerhouse and the company commander of the Limit Warriors Battle Group.

In stark contrast to his gentle and even somewhat lazy attitude during their previous meetings, Zhou Xiong now exuded an aura of iron-blooded majesty, the mark of someone who had fought countless battles and held immense power over life and death.

His gaze wasn't on Yu Han, but fixed firmly on Qin Feng.

"If you're not convinced, then go and become stronger. Strong enough that your will is the will of the empire; strong enough that your words are the rules that everyone must obey."

Zhou Xiong's voice was not loud, but it contained an absolute power that left no room for argument.

Each syllable was like a pronouncement of law, deeply imprinted on Qin Feng's soul.

"If you're not convinced, then go and change it."

"If you don't want the Empire to cultivate geniuses this way, then go to the battlefield of all races, to the depths of chaos, and personally sever countless demon heads and alien deities' heads. Use their corpses to pave a brighter path for the Empire and for humanity!"

"Until you have the power to change the status quo, you'd better obediently follow the rules!"

Stop with your ridiculous and childish emotions, and stop acting like a baby who hasn't been weaned!

Zhou Xiong's eyes suddenly turned extremely stern, like two bolts of lightning tearing through the starry sky.

"Now, go back! Cultivate!"

The last four words, like a military order or a divine decree, resounded with a thunderous boom.

"Yes."

Qin Feng bit his lip so hard it bled.

He felt an unprecedented humiliation, not because of Zhou Xiong's rebuke, but because of his own weakness.

Yes, Zhou Xiong is right.

Dissatisfied? Then go and change it.

Without strength, you don't even have the right to shout.

He gave Zhou Xiong a deep look, then glanced at Yu Han, who was lost in some painful memory. In the end, without saying a word, he clenched his fists, turned around, and left resolutely.

Only when Qin Feng's figure completely disappeared at the end of the bamboo forest did the extremely oppressive atmosphere slowly ease.

Yu Han let out a long sigh of relief, breaking free from the painful memories. He wiped away non-existent tears from the corners of his eyes, looked at Zhou Xiong, and gave a bitter smile.

"Lord Zhou, you've arrived."

The Empire cultivates Chaos Demons mostly from space pirates and hardened criminals sentenced to death, 'raising' them on specific prison planets.

We... we're lying to Qin Feng.

Isn't it a bit too early to subject him to this kind of brutal ideological and political education now?

Zhou Xiong turned around, and that suffocating aura of authority vanished instantly, replaced by a sarcastic tone.

"Early? What do you mean 'early'? What are you trying to fool me about?!"
If we don't start political education classes now, are we going to wait until he's wearing a superhero's power armor, becoming a hero in the public eye, and then, because he suffered a little injustice outside, he just quits, crying and whining as he runs back to his alma mater to act like a coward? Are you going to give him political education then?

"Cough...cough cough cough."

Yu Han was so choked by Zhou Xiong's words that he coughed repeatedly, his handsome face turning bright red, revealing an awkward smile that looked worse than crying.

That was practically an insult directed at him.

Zhou Xiong glanced at him sideways, snorted coldly, and continued firing without any politeness.

"Yu Han, do you think that just because I insulted him, I didn't insult you?"

"You bastard! 'If you're not happy, then change it,' I told you that back in the day too!"
What about you? What did you do?
You've retreated back to Canaan Starry Sky Martial Arts University, hiding in this ivory tower as a mentor, playing the subservient role for so many years—what does that even mean?!

Is this all the talent a genius, once hailed as the 'Divine Spear,' has become?

Don't let me look down on you!

Zhou Xiong stretched out his finger, almost poking Yu Han's nose, and cursed loudly. He showed no demeanor of a black hole-level powerhouse, but instead resembled an older brother who was disappointed in Yu Han.

Having been scolded to this extent, Yu Han seemed to have shed all pretense and burdens. He straightened his neck, became shameless, and even became tough.

"What's wrong with me playing the fool? I'm happy to! Besides, even the chosen ones have to go back to playing the fool, so isn't it normal for me, the washed-up 'Divine Spear,' to play the fool too?"

He gestured with his lip in the direction Qin Feng had left, giving him a "see, I told you so" look. "Just watch, this kid is seething with anger right now, and he has nowhere to vent it. I bet he's already preparing to go back to his hometown, Qimingxing."

"Humph."

Zhou Xiong gave a heavy, cold snort, but the anger in his eyes had subsided considerably.

He put his hands behind his back, looked into the distance, and his tone softened.

"Once Qin Feng stops acting like a coward and he's completely processed this matter, you can get back to the battle group and rejoin your team."

Upon hearing this, Yu Han's body trembled violently.

Zhou Xiong didn't look at him and continued, "...Regarding your matter back then, the final verdict from the Imperial Supreme Court has already been issued."

You are innocent. Wan Feiyu, you deserve to die.

He's been listed as one of the Empire's most wanted criminals and has been confirmed to have defected to the outer star system of the Myriad Races Battlefield. He hasn't been captured yet, but his approximate area of ​​activity has been pinpointed. He won't be able to cause trouble for much longer.

"Really...really?!"

For the first time, Yu Han's voice trembled violently.

He had been waiting for this result for far too long, so long that he was almost ready to give up.

"Ah."

Zhou Xiong uttered a syllable of affirmation through his nose: "The Imperial Court values ​​efficiency, but for a matter as important as yours, it will take a lot of time to investigate thoroughly. I apologize for keeping you waiting."

"Good! Good!"

A terrifying light flashed in Yu Han's eyes, and the sharpness and edge he had suppressed for decades seemed to return in full force at this moment. "I will rejoin the team when Qin Feng comes back!"

"Ah."

Zhou Xiong's gaze seemed to pierce through the endless void.

A helpless yet amused smile curved at the corners of his mouth.

“This kid… he actually ran back to his hometown, Qimingxing. You kids, how come you all have the same thought process? When you're wronged, your first reaction is to run back to your hometown.”

His words were full of the kind of doting affection that elders have for younger people—a mix of exasperation and amusement.

The bamboo forest has returned to tranquility.
-
Venus.

Family.

When Qin Feng's body appeared at the public teleportation point of the Silver Gull Community, enveloped by the teleportation beam, a long-lost breath of air, mixed with the fragrance of earth and plants, instantly filled his lungs.

The planet's gravity, its oxygen concentration—everything seemed so familiar, so perfectly suited, as if tailor-made for his body.

Having spent too long in the meticulously calibrated and spiritually abundant cultivation environment of Wu Da in Canaan Starfield, Qin Feng should have felt a little "thin" and uncomfortable upon returning to his home planet with an unremarkable vitality index. However, all he felt was endless peace and comfort.

He took off the combat uniform that symbolized his elite status in the Fearless Legion and changed into a set of ordinary casual clothes that he had casually bought in the commercial district of the capital city of Qimingxing.

He suppressed all outward aura, gathering all the terrifying power that could make mountains and seas tremble into the depths of his "Supreme Yuan Aperture" and his limbs and bones.

At this moment, walking on the familiar tree-lined path in the Yin'ou community, he looked like an ordinary young man with a tall stature and calm demeanor, no different from the residents around him who were hurrying by.

However, the depth and vicissitudes accumulated in the depths of his eyes, which had witnessed too many births and deaths, too much bloodshed and fire, were far beyond what someone his age could possess.

The confrontation with Zhou Xiong and Yu Han was like a red-hot steel needle, piercing deep into his soul.

That set of cold, cruel, yet seemingly irrefutable "Iron Laws of the Empire" made him, for the first time, waver in his beliefs about what he was fighting for and what he was protecting.

He is not satisfied.

But he was powerless to change it.

Zhou Xiong's words, "If you don't have the strength to change the status quo, then follow the rules," were like a resounding slap in the face, knocking him down from the peak of his anger.

Yes, he is still too weak.

A seventh-level Mountain and Sea Realm expert might be a god-like being on a remote, inhabited planet, but compared to the massive imperial machine and the grand narratives that often involve galaxies and billions of years, they are still as insignificant as a speck of dust.

So, he came back.

His steps unconsciously stopped in front of a familiar building.

—Extreme Martial Arts School.

This is the true starting point of his martial arts journey.

That familiar signboard, after decades of weathering, has been replaced with a more modern alloy material, but the three bold, flowing characters remain exactly the same as I remember.

A job posting is being displayed on the electronic bulletin board at the entrance of the martial arts school.

[Extreme Martial Arts Academy (Yingou Community Branch) is recruiting martial arts instructors at all levels. Excellent compensation and benefits are offered. Interested parties please come inside for details.]

Qin Feng's gaze lingered on this message for a moment.

A thought suddenly popped into my head without warning.

He wants to stay here for a while.

Just to change my mood.

He stepped inside.

The layout of the martial arts school has not changed much, but all the training equipment has been updated, and the photos of outstanding students hanging on the walls have been replaced with unfamiliar young faces.

At the front desk, a young man who looked to be only in his early twenties sat looking at his personal terminal with a somewhat bored expression.

"Hello, I'm here to apply for a coaching position."

Qin Feng's voice was very calm.

"Oh, hello."

The young man looked up, saw Qin Feng, his eyes lit up, and he stood up to greet him warmly, "Please sit down. We have vacancies for coaching positions from level one to three, you see..."

"Master Sun Chantang, has he... come back?"

Qin Feng interrupted him and asked the question that concerned him most.

The young man paused for a moment, seemingly recalling this somewhat distant name.

"Master Sun... According to the seniors in the martial arts school, he came back once more than 30 years ago, but left again after only a few days."

More than 30 years ago.

Qin Feng silently calculated in his mind that it was when Master Sun taught him the basics of the "Ten Perfect Hands" back then.

"Oh, alright."

Qin Feng nodded, pulling himself back to reality. "I'll register."

The young man pulled up the application form on the terminal and asked, "Okay, what is your name and martial arts level?"

"Name: Qin Feng."

“Strength: Level 7 Mountain and Sea Warrior.”

Qin Feng's tone was as calm as if he were saying, "I ate a bowl of noodles for lunch today."

"Okay, Qin Feng... Level 7... Mountain..."

The young man's fingers flew across the screen, and he unconsciously repeated what he was saying.

However, when the words "Level 7 Mountain and Sea Warrior" were uttered in their entirety and understood by his brain, his entire body instantly stiffened.

"what?"

"My lord, you are a level seven Mountain and Sea Martial Artist?!"

Why would a deity like this come to their little pond to apply for a basic coaching position?
"Sir, our temple is too small to afford someone like you!" Sweat beaded on the young man's face, and his voice trembled.

"It's okay, I don't need the salary."

Qin Feng noticed his embarrassment and said gently, "Just consider it as helping out. If you insist on following the rules, a symbolic salary of three thousand Imperial Coins a month will suffice."

He paused, then added, "Back then, I received a favor from Master Sun."

"Aww... Aww! So that's how it is!"

Upon hearing the name "Master Sun," the young man found a logical foothold to understand everything, and his face showed realization and reverence.

It turns out he was an old friend of the former owner, who had returned to repay a debt of gratitude! That explains it!

"Okay, okay! No problem!"

He hurriedly picked up the light-screen pen and, with the utmost respect, quickly completed the information registration for Qin Feng. "Sir, you can start work tomorrow! No, no, you can come whenever you want! We won't arrange any mandatory private lessons for you; everything is up to fate!"

"So good."

Qin Feng nodded, got up and left the Extreme Martial Arts Hall.

The road home is down to its last few hundred meters.

When he used the old-fashioned key that had been stored in a subspace storage unit for decades to open the door, a familiar scent, a mixture of faint cooking fumes and his father's unique aroma, wafted towards him.

The house is decorated almost exactly the same way it was when he left decades ago.

The slightly worn sofa, the teacup that his father used to use on the coffee table, the graduation photos of his junior high and high school years hanging on the wall... everything was imbued with the strong traces of life.

My father never moved away.

This place will always be his roots.

Qin Feng didn't disturb his father's work; he simply sat quietly on the sofa, immersing himself in this peaceful haven.

He opened his personal terminal and accessed Qimingxing's private network.

In the regional section of the Imperial Missions system, he saw a familiar message again.

Qiming No. 1 Martial Arts High School is recruiting instructors for practical training courses at all levels. Requirements...

Looking at the words "Qiming No.1 High School", the images of my three mentors, Lin Yue, Gu Yue, and Wu Shangfeng, appeared one by one in my mind.

He barely hesitated before pulling up his information and clicking to submit the application.

After doing all this, he turned off the terminal, closed his eyes, and waited quietly.

Waiting for night to fall, waiting for that familiar footstep to ring out.

After an unknown amount of time, when the clock struck six in the evening, the crisp sound of keys clinking came from the hallway, along with two familiar voices.

One of the sounds was the hearty laughter of Qin Dahai, the father.

"Old Wu, I really owe you a lot for keeping an eye on the production line today, otherwise I wouldn't have had time to prepare these farewell dishes for you."

Come on, let's have a good drink tonight! This is a celebration banquet to send you off on your new post!

The other voice sounded more composed: "Of course, you'll cook for me, so I'll have to enjoy a good meal."

"Speaking of which, your son Qin Feng's reputation is largely thanks to his transfer to the main factory as deputy director. Now, everyone in Qimingxing knows that your Qin family has produced an extraordinary prodigy."

It was Factory Director Wu's voice.

"Hahaha, that kid..."

With a "click," the door was pushed open.

The laughter and conversation outside the door abruptly stopped.

Qin Dahai and Factory Director Wu appeared at the door.

When their gaze passed over the entryway and landed on the tall figure sitting quietly on the living room sofa, both of them were stunned.

The air seemed to freeze in that instant.

"Ah... Ah Feng?!"

Qin Dahai's eyes widened instantly.

The expression on his face changed from astonishment to disbelief, and finally turned into unparalleled ecstasy.

But Director Wu, who was standing next to him, reacted quite differently.

As a veteran martial artist who has already reached level six, his physical instincts are far faster than his brain's reaction.

The moment he saw Qin Feng, the hairs on his entire body stood on end!

An indescribable fear, originating from the deepest level of life, pressed down on his soul like an ancient, frozen mountain.

He felt that what he was seeing was not a person, but a colossal cosmic beast that had withdrawn all its claws and was feigning sleep.

That seemingly calm body contains terrifying power capable of tearing this planet to shreds!
"Enemy attack!"

This idea hadn't even fully formed in his mind.

His body had already made its most instinctive reaction.

With a flick of his right hand, the alloy longsword that had accompanied him for most of his life was instantly unsheathed from the subspace storage unit. He held it firmly across his chest in a defensive stance.

"Ah Feng! You little rascal, what brings you back?!"

Qin Dahai, however, felt no pressure at all. He rushed forward in three steps, completely ignoring Director Wu, who was standing by as if facing a formidable enemy. He opened his arms and gave Qin Feng a solid bear hug.

Qin Feng smiled and hugged his father tightly.

"I'll go home and stay with you for a while."

He patted his father's broad back and said softly, "My current strength has reached a bottleneck. It doesn't really matter where I cultivate."

"Good! Good boy!"

Qin Dahai was so excited that he was almost incoherent, patting Qin Feng on the back and laughing heartily.

He turned his head and noticed that Director Wu, who was still on guard and looked a little pale, was standing to the side. He quickly introduced him, "Ah Feng, come on, this is Director Wu. He has taken good care of our family over the years."

"Yes, I know. Director Wu, it's been a long time."

Qin Feng released his father, smiled, nodded to Director Wu, and greeted him.

Factory Director Wu suddenly realized what was happening. Looking at the touching scene between the father and son, and then at the long knife he was holding tightly in his hand, his face flushed red. He quickly sheathed the knife and revealed a restrained smile that looked more like a grimace.

He stepped forward, bowed slightly, and said humbly, "Qin Feng, don't listen to Old Qin's nonsense. What 'favor'? In reality, I was just making some indirect investments in advance. It doesn't deserve the word 'favor'."

Factory Director Wu wisely chose to tell the truth.

"You can't say that, Uncle Wu."

Qin Feng's smile remained unchanged, but his address changed from "Factory Director Wu" to "Uncle Wu," instantly closing the distance between them.

He stepped forward and smiled familiarly, "If it weren't for your help and the help of the uncles and elders in the factory back then, my father and I wouldn't have had such a good life."

I, Qin Feng, will always remember this kindness.

I haven't had a chance to congratulate you on your promotion yet, but I'll definitely come to offer my congratulations another day.

His words were impeccable, acknowledging the other party's help back then, saving face for his father, and appearing both intimate and tactful.

This almost slick maturity and sophistication left Qin Dahai, who was standing to the side, completely stunned.

Factory Director Wu was flattered and waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I dare not accept such praise! Old Qin, you see, Qin Feng has finally come back for a visit, you and your son must have a lot to talk about."

I have some urgent matters to attend to at home, so I won't bother you any longer!
"Let's have the celebration banquet another day, another day I'll treat!"

"well."

Watching Factory Director Wu's hasty departure, Qin Dahai felt a little guilty, while Qin Feng smiled and shook his head.

He knew that this wasn't because Director Wu was being disrespectful, but because, given the vast difference in their life levels, a natural and insurmountable chasm already existed between ordinary people and the strong.

Forcing each other to sit at the same table is torture for both parties.

Unless there is a bond of kinship.

"Dad, forget about him, I'm hungry."

Qin Feng smiled, picked up the vegetable basket from the ground, and handed it to his father, saying, "I've been craving your signature dish for decades."

"Haha! Okay! Just wait!"

Upon hearing his son's words, Qin Dahai instantly forgot everything else. He took the vegetable basket, tied on his apron, and strode confidently into the kitchen.

Soon, accompanied by the roar of the range hood, a rich aroma of food wafted out of the kitchen.

That familiar aroma, a blend of cheap soy sauce, rock sugar, and spices, drifted into Qin Feng's nostrils, like a key that instantly unlocked the deepest memories on his taste buds.

At this moment, all the lavish feasts of the Canaan Food God District, and all the top delicacies cooked with the flesh and blood of rare beasts and containing immense life energy, paled in comparison to the aroma of food from home.

Qin Feng sat on the sofa, watching his father's busy figure in the kitchen, listening to the familiar clanging of the spatula. The frustration, anger, and confusion in his heart caused by the collapse of his ideals were gradually soothed by the ordinary atmosphere of home cooking.

This is his haven.

No matter what he experiences or becomes outside, as long as he returns here, he can always be just a child again.

"Come on, Feng, wash your hands and eat!"

A moment later, Qin Dahai came out carrying two steaming plates of side dishes and a large bowl of rice, his face beaming with a genuine smile.

"You're already in your fifties or sixties, but you haven't changed at all. You're still the same as when you were in high school."

While serving rice to Qin Feng, Qin Dahai kept rambling on, "It's Dad who's getting old. Look, his hair has turned quite a bit white."

Qin Feng looked at the graying hair at his father's temples and felt a pang of sadness.

Although martial arts training can prolong life, my father started too late and was stuck at the threshold of spiritual power. The marks of time eventually crept up on him silently.

"Dad, you're not old at all. You're a level five martial artist, which is considered quite a skill in the Qiming Metropolitan Area."

Qin Feng picked up a piece of glistening, oily meat and put it in his mouth. The familiar taste exploded in his mouth, making him squint his eyes in bliss.

"Hey, what kind of expert is he? It's all just empty fame."

Qin Dahai waved his hand and poured himself a glass of wine. "Compared to you, my strength is nothing. By the way, how long do you plan to stay this time?"

"It's uncertain; it could take anywhere from a few years to several decades."

Qin Feng swallowed the food in his mouth and said, "I've encountered some bottlenecks at school, and there are some things I can't figure out. I want to go home and calm down to sort things out."

If you can't figure it out, then don't think about it anymore.

Qin Dahai took a sip of his drink and smacked his lips. "If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. You, on the other hand, have always been prone to overthinking. Have you been wronged out there?"

The father's eyes held a hint of barely perceptible heartache.

Qin Feng felt a warmth in his heart and shook his head: "It's not that I feel wronged, it's just... my mind is a little confused."

He didn't mention Shi Dang, nor the cold "three million" figure, nor the confrontation that overturned his understanding.

These were too heavy a burden for him to bear; he didn't want his father to worry about him.

"That's right."

Qin Dahai nodded and put another piece of food on Qin Feng's plate. "The longer a person lives, the more they see, and the more confused they become."

Dad isn't very capable, and he doesn't understand your grand theories about the stars and the sea.

Dad knew that as a person, you have to be true to your conscience.

If you believe something is right, then go ahead and do it.

Even if everyone else says it's right, you shouldn't do something you believe is wrong.

"Dad doesn't ask you to become some great person in the future, he only asks that you can stand tall wherever you go and sleep soundly."

These simple, heartfelt words instantly struck the softest spot in Qin Feng's heart.

Yes, it's true, it's something I can do with my conscience.

He straightened his back.

I can sleep soundly.

I only wish for clarity of thought!
"Dad, I understand."

Qin Feng nodded heavily and scooped the rice out of his bowl completely.

"As long as you know."

Qin Dahai smiled, his wrinkles smoothing out. "Eat up, and when you're done, tell me about your two cousins, Wang Hao and Wang Jie. Your uncle contacted me the other day, saying that the two lads ran into you at the Starry Sky Cup, and since they came back, they've been working like crazy, cultivating like crazy every day, and we can't stop them."

"Yes, I ran into them. They're both doing very well now; they're already elites at 'Duna Starry Sky Martial Arts University'."

A smile appeared on Qin Feng's face when his two younger cousins ​​were mentioned.

The father and son ate the most ordinary home-cooked meal and chatted about the most trivial family matters under this warm light.

Outside the window, night was deepening.

The lights of countless homes, like the morning star, illuminate one by one, converging into a dazzling galaxy.
-
After the meal, he helped his father clear the dishes and returned to the room where he had lived since childhood.

As I pushed open the door, a familiar scent, a blend of sunlight, old book pages, and the faint fragrance of soapberry, wafted towards me.

This is a small bedroom of less than 15 square meters, with an extremely simple layout.

A bed, a bookcase, and a desk.

For him, who is now two meters tall and has a physique as imposing as a god or demon, this space seems somewhat cramped.

The bed was not even long enough for him to fully stretch out his body.

But this small, slightly cramped space gave Qin Feng a long-lost, unparalleled sense of security.

Here, he doesn't need to be the "Qin Beast" who dominated the Canaan Newcomer Cup.

Here, he is simply Qin Feng.

That boy who once felt despair because his foundation was damaged, was overjoyed because he was admitted to Qiming No. 1 High School, and sweated profusely for every improvement in his strength.

His fingertips lightly traced the surface of the desk.

Above, there are still a few faint "diligence" characters that he carved with a knife when he was young.

Inside the bookshelf, various old textbooks, ranging from basic martial arts theory to advanced gun techniques analysis, are neatly stacked. The edges of each book are frayed from repeated reading.

On the wall, there was also a propaganda poster of the Imperial Expeditionary Force. In the picture, a Space Marine wearing Terminator power armor stood proudly on a mountain of alien corpses.

The poster has turned slightly yellow, but it is a testament to all the passion and dreams he had in his youth.

He lay on the bed, which was already a bit too small for him, with his hands behind his head, staring quietly at the ceiling.

In the midst of this tranquility, his personal terminal on his wrist emitted a soft "beep," indicating that new information had arrived.

Qin Feng raised his wrist, and a light screen was projected into the air.

The sender is: [Personnel Department of Qiming First Martial Arts High School].

His mind stirred slightly, and he opened the email.

[Dear Qin Feng:]

[Hello! We have received your coaching application. All the faculty and staff of Qiming No. 1 High School are extremely grateful for your willingness to return to your alma mater and contribute to the martial arts education of Qiming! We have unanimously approved your application.]

[We are now formally hiring you as an instructor for our school's advanced martial arts combat course.]

Regarding salary and benefits, we offer the following options:

[1. Monthly salary: 300,000 Imperial Coins (after tax).]

[2. Contribution Points Subsidy: 1 point per month.]

[Additional Note: This contribution value subsidy comes from the 'Torch Relay Plan' jointly launched by the Imperial Ministry of Education and the Military.]

The plan aims to encourage high-level martial artists to return to the basic education system and give back to the foundation of the empire's martial arts.

All martial artists at the seventh level of the Mountain and Sea Realm or above who teach at key martial arts high schools certified by the Empire are eligible for this subsidy.

[3. Special Reward: If you successfully cultivate a new generation of 'Rising Stars' during your teaching tenure, the school will apply for an additional 50 contribution points for you.]

4. Career Advancement: If you are interested, you may apply to become a 'Martial Arts Instructor' at any time.

The class advisor will have higher authority, responsible for resource allocation, selection of practical tasks, and safety assessments for the entire class. Their contribution points will also be increased to 10 points per month.

If you agree to the above terms, you can come to the school to register tomorrow. We look forward to your arrival!

[Signature: Office of the Principal, Qiming No. 1 Martial Arts High School]

Upon reading the email, Qin Feng's face showed a hint of surprise.

A monthly salary of 300,000 Imperial Coins is nothing to him now, not even enough to buy a basic advanced cultivation potion.

He didn't care.

What truly surprised him was the subsidy of "1 point of contribution value per month".

Contribution value is the hardest currency within the imperial system, and its value far exceeds that of imperial currency.

In Canaan, even the lowest-level tasks require risking your life to earn a meager few contribution points.

Now, simply being a high school teacher can earn you a stable 1 point per month.

Over the course of a year, it ends at 12 o'clock.

This speed, compared to his previous efficiency in performing hellish and nightmare-level missions, where he could easily gain tens of thousands of points in a single run, was naturally as slow as a tortoise's pace.

But... it's stable and risk-free.

There's no need to struggle on the edge of life and death, no need to fight against ferocious alien races and bizarre chaotic beasts.

All you need to do is teach a group of energetic younger students at your most familiar and comfortable alma mater to gain this resource that is considered invaluable by outsiders.

For Qin Feng, who was in a state of turmoil and desperately needed a period of peace to reflect on himself and think about the future, this was undoubtedly the best choice.

The extra reward for cultivating "enlightened generals" made him smile.

As for the position of "martial arts instructor," Qin Feng only glanced at it and then skipped over it.

What he needs most now is to abandon all unnecessary distractions and devote himself to the purest form of spiritual practice and contemplation.

Being a class advisor means being responsible for the safety of dozens of students, a heavy responsibility he currently lacks the energy to shoulder.

Without the slightest hesitation, Qin Feng tapped the screen with his fingertip and replied with a concise email.

[Agreed. Reporting tomorrow.]

After sending the message, he turned off his personal terminal.

Qin Feng closed his eyes, and his breathing gradually became long and steady.

He slept soundly on his first night home.

As Qin Feng entered a deep sleep, his mental strength actually improved relatively quickly.

(End of this chapter)