Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Thanks to the expert certification from [District Within District], and thanks to all the readers for their gifts urging me to update. The number of people generating this "powered by love" has increased more than tenfold. Even though I'm skipping my blind date, I still have plenty of motivation to write more chapters during this time.

By the way, there's a possibility of going to the dark room in tomorrow's episode; I'll see if I can handle the scale of it well.

……

At this moment, Jingliu's heart was churning like magma.

When she heard that the young man wanted to become Qi Zhimu's disciple, a taut nerve in her heart suddenly snapped, prompting her to instinctively speak up and cut off that future that might become a reality.

Master and disciple can only be me... and can only be me...

In this world, only I can call him Master...

Only I can stand rightfully by his side as his disciple!

Anyone who tries to take over this position is an intruder.

Even a callow youth won't do.

If you want to become an apprentice, that's fine.

Once you become my disciple, you will no longer be qualified to be my master.

Because of the generational gap, you can only ever call him your grandmaster.

…What a safe name.

Jingliu looked at Jingyuan, who was smiling brightly in front of him, and a strange, unconscious curve appeared on the corner of his mouth.

Trying to steal her master?

dream!

The apprenticeship ceremony was simple, so simple that it could be described as rudimentary.

Jingliu casually tossed Jingyuan a standard-issue longsword, just as Qi Zhimu had done to her back then.

Jing Yuan was somewhat bewildered; this was completely different from the apprenticeship process he was familiar with...

It's not about serving tea or going through a series of... well, maybe it's a simplified custom on other ships.

Thinking of this, Jing Yuan gripped his longsword tightly and respectfully kowtowed.

"Disciple greets Master."

Jingliu nodded, his heart unmoved by the title.

Jing Yuan, whose wish had been fulfilled, blinked and looked at Qi Zhimu with a curious gaze.

"Master, what is your relationship with Lord Qi Zhimu in private?"

Jing Liu glanced at him and said calmly, "Master and disciple."

"Master...Master and disciple?!"

Jingyuan's eyes widened and his mouth formed an "O" shape.

I've never heard of this in Luofu. So he actually wanted to become my master's junior brother...?

After realizing what was happening, Jing Yuan immediately turned to Qi Zhimu and bowed deeply.

"Jingyuan pays respects to his Grandmaster!"

Upon hearing the words "Grandmaster," the gloom in Jingliu's eyes finally dissipated, replaced by a strange sense of joy.

well.

That's the name.

Never try to cross the boundaries that belong to her.

Jing Liu was unaware of the abnormality in his mental state, but Qi Zhimu seemed to sense something and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes as he glanced at his disciple.

She has always been aloof and indifferent, showing little interest in anything in the world except for slaying evil creatures and improving her strength.

Even if she were visited three times, or even three hundred times, she would never change her mind unless she was willing.

But now she not only agreed, but agreed so abruptly, so... hastily.

It's like guarding your food.

Food guarding... food guarding...

Upon realizing a certain possibility, Qi Zhimu was stunned, and his eyebrows twitched.

Could this be an early sign of demonic influence? There shouldn't be any reason for it.

Back then, while curing her congenital deficiency symptoms, it also completely eliminated the possibility of her falling into demonic possession in the future.

This is similar to the principle of short-lived species developing antibodies against corresponding diseases when vaccinated in their early stages.

In other words, as long as Jingliu is willing, she can live on without being troubled by demonic influence.

After all… that was the last thing he could do for his disciple, and also a way to make up for what he owed.

He only used the method to prevent or even eradicate demonic influence on her, and he would bear the consequences.

Since it's not demonic energy, then it can only be...emotion.

If that's the case, then Jingliu's feelings for him have reached a pathological and insane level, which is not a good thing.

He could not drag his disciple into an abyss of no return.

Absolutely not.

Jing Liu was also unaware of Qi Zhimu's current thoughts.

Her expression was aloof, indicating that Jingyuan could leave and return to learn the craft the next day.

Jingyuan left happily, his face beaming.

However, his smile soon faded.

The teaching method of the Mirror School is characterized by its simplicity and directness.

"Run 80 li (40 km) at a speed of no less than 40 li (20 km/h), and then do 3,000 consecutive sword swings training."

"No food or sleep until it's done."

Without any gradual approach, Jingyuan, being just a growing boy, couldn't withstand such torment.

In less than a week, he became pale and could barely get out of bed each day.

On the fifth day, he went directly to the Dan Ding Si Medical Clinic.

Upon learning the reason, the physician in charge of the treatment instantly locked his gaze on Jing Liu, who had accompanied him, his face filled with an indescribable expression.

It's as if to say, who trains their apprentices with the intention of exhausting them to death?

Be yourself!

Jing Liu remained unmoved. Once Jing Yuan had recovered sufficiently, he carried him back to the training ground.

It's one thing to not allow Jingyuan to take away her master, but she is not a person who goes back on her word.

She asked her master to teach her the skills, and he did.

Now that Jingyuan has asked her to teach him, she will.

It is a tradition of the master's school, and the reason for this is perfectly legitimate.

Just when Jingyuan thought he was going to die young, his savior appeared.

With the situation at the front lines critical, Kagami Ryu is ordered to lead an expedition.

Before leaving, she only left a brief sentence.

"Don't slack off. When I return, I expect you to achieve 150% of the current training targets."

"..."

Jing Yuan was instantly numb, but he remembered the slightly disdainful frown on his master's face when he looked at him not long ago.

It's as if it's saying, "How utterly useless."

So he could only whisper a yes.

No sooner had Jingliu left than Jingyuan climbed up to Qingxin Residence and found Qi Zhimu in the courtyard.

"Grandmaster! Help me..."

The boy had huge dark circles under his eyes, his face was contorted with grief, and his pitiful appearance was heartbreaking to hear.

"Don't rush, speak slowly." Qi Zhimu gestured for him to have a cup of tea to calm down.

When Jing Yuan saw that his master was going to pour tea for him, he was terrified. He quickly grabbed the teapot and poured the tea himself, and then respectfully filled Qi Zhimu's cup.

He then honestly recounted what he had experienced over the past few days.

Qi Zhimu sighed helplessly.

Jingliu is simply copying the training methods she used back then, but the problem is that she had the body-strengthening medicinal bath as a backup, while Jingyuan did not.

If this continues, the child will eventually have serious problems.

Qi Zhimu put down his teacup and said gently, "During her inspection tour, I will design your training schedule. Give me your hand."

"Ah... Oh!"

Although he didn't understand why, Jingyuan still obediently reached out his hand.

Seeing that his grandmaster was actually taking his pulse, he couldn't help but feel curious.

After a moment, Qi Zhimu moved his hand away and began to draft a training plan, which he then sent to Jing Yuan's jade tablet.

"If I am unable to come in person, you should practice accordingly. The pressure increase after you adapt is also marked. Come to me every three days to get a new plan."

"Thank you, Grandmaster!"