Chapter 75: Blacksmithing Is Dead! Not Even Heavenly Flames Can Save It! I Said So!
Jiang Lin stood frozen in place for a long time, his mind buzzing like a hive. Finally, he came back to his senses and stared silently at Xiao Yan, who had backed away with a terrified look on his face, arms crossed protectively over his chest.
SMACK!
With a loud slap, Jiang Lin sent Xiao Yan flying to the ground like a scolded child. Xiao Yan had tried to dodge, but how could his "frail" body hope to evade the ruthless iron hand of a fully-armored Jiang Lin?
Right at the entrance to the Xiao Clan estate, Jiang Lin slapped Xiao Yan down in full view of the gate guards, who looked on in a mix of shock and anger. As Xiao Yan lay on the ground, dazed, Jiang Lin spat:
"Idiot."
Without another word, Jiang Lin turned and walked away, not even sparing Xiao Yan a second glance. He knew that if he stayed any longer, he might just go ahead and finish him off with a blade to the chest.
Damn it! Do I look like some selfless simp who bends over backward for love?!
Since when did I become such a nice guy?!
If I treat you well, it's because I expect something in return!
…Wait, that sounds weird again.
Cursing under his breath, Jiang Lin stormed off, furious. Xiao Yan's ridiculous "Do you like me?" question felt like it had completely invalidated all his efforts. He had carefully cultivated Xiao Yan, believing the kid might be a seedling worth investing in, someone who could eventually yield a good trade.
Whether it was Xiao Xun'er or the ring on his hand, neither was ordinary—and both had connections to Xiao Yan. That's why Jiang Lin had always viewed Xiao Yan as a valuable "unintended opportunity."
Xiao Yan: Oh, so it really was unintentional... I almost had a heart attack!
Jiang Lin: ???
If Jiang Lin could say one thing to Xiao Yan right now, it would be: I raised you because I hoped one day you'd support me in my old age—not because I wanted to sleep with you!
—
"Young master, are you alright?" After Jiang Lin left, the guards hurried to help up a dazed and red-faced Xiao Yan.
His head was spinning, his vision blurry, and his cheek was burning—but this was Jiang Lin holding back. With the kind of strength Jiang Lin had—strong enough to go toe-to-toe with a Dou Grandmaster—if he'd gone full force, Xiao Yan might've been slapped to death right there.
Still, as he stared at Jiang Lin's retreating figure, Xiao Yan felt a strange mix of shock, relief, and guilt.
That slap proved Jiang Lin wasn't trying to seduce him. He was a good guy! But… he'd clearly offended him now.
"I-I'm fine. Don't worry," Xiao Yan muttered, clutching his cheek and running toward the rear courtyard.
"Weren't those two on good terms before?" one guard whispered to another.
"What else? Looks like they had a falling out," the other replied with a helpless shrug.
Soon enough, the rumor that "Jiang Lin and Xiao Yan had a fight" spread like wildfire across the Xiao Clan.
Both Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er came by to check on Xiao Yan, offering him awkward comfort.
Xiao Xun'er, in particular, left his place with a strange look on her face. Back in her own courtyard, her expression instantly darkened.
"Damn you, Jiang Lin! It's bad enough you're stealing my ancient jade—now you're stealing my man too?!"
From her perspective, Jiang Lin was using Xiao Yan to get close to the Tuoshe Ancient Jade. There was no other reason why someone from such a mysterious lineage would suddenly show up in the outside world.
"…Miss, rumors aren't always reliable," said Ling Ying quietly from the shadows. "Xiao Yan thought Jiang Lin liked him, said something dumb, and Jiang Lin slapped him on the spot and stormed off."
"Oh. That's it?" Xiao Xun'er's expression returned to normal—then immediately twisted again. "Still! Jiang Lin is absolutely infuriating!"
Ling Ying: …
—
As night fell, Xiao Yan stared at his swollen, pig-like face in the mirror and let out a bitter chuckle.
"Ugh… what a disaster. Now Lin-ge's mad at me. No idea when I'll get the chance to apologize in person."
Despite being slapped, Xiao Yan didn't hold a grudge. He blamed himself for saying something so outrageous. That one line had derailed what should have been a perfectly good bromance.
"Teacher… you there? You've been quiet all day…"
Desperate for someone to talk to, Xiao Yan called out to Yao Lao, who had gone unusually silent.
"You brought that on yourself," Yao Lao finally replied, voice full of disdain.
"Come on, Teacher! Look at your poor disciple! I'm a mess here… Say something comforting!" Xiao Yan whimpered.
"…Avoid that Jiang Lin as much as possible. His background is terrifying. If I talk while he's nearby, he'll sense it."
After a pause, Yao Lao grumbled in his heart:
That freakish soul sense… there's no doubt. He's one of them. I've only just awakened, and already I'm dealing with a walking X-ray machine. Just my luck!
"But Teacher… I think Lin-ge's after you. If you hadn't shown up, I might've handed you over to him already…" Xiao Yan muttered sheepishly.
Yao Lao fell silent for a moment before sighing. "If it comes to that, I'll talk to him myself."
He knew Jiang Lin had likely only guessed that the ring held some opportunity—but didn't know the "opportunity" was Yao Lao himself. If he could bluff his way through, he could probably settle it by having Xiao Yan offer a few high-grade techniques. But if Jiang Lin clung like a leech, Yao Lao would have no choice but to confront him.
Jiang Lin's soul was stronger than Xiao Yan's. If Yao Lao had met him first, he might've chosen him as a disciple. But with Jiang Lin's rebellious nature, Yao Lao's teaching style might've… needed some adjustment.
Blacksmithing? Your grandma's blacksmithing! You clearly need a beating! Now get over here and learn alchemy!
Not fire-wood attribute? SMACK! You talk too much! Alchemy isn't limited by attributes—it's about talent! Ever heard of cross-element alchemy? With your top-tier fire-type Dou Qi, if I say you're alchemy material, you are!
Jiang Lin: You presumptuous old geezer!
Still, Yao Lao had begun to feel a slight attachment to Xiao Yan. These days, he prioritized character more than talent. But Jiang Lin's defiant attitude made Yao Lao want to assign him 100 gacha draws as daily "punishment."
That said, if Jiang Lin proved impossible to shake off, Yao Lao would still be willing to teach him a thing or two…
Because at the end of the day, Yao Lao had a bit of a mental cleanliness problem.
And he absolutely couldn't stand geniuses with high alchemy potential who stubbornly clung to blacksmithing.
Blacksmithing is DEAD!
Not even Heavenly Flames can save it!
I SAID SO!
(END CHAPTER)
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