hotmtlnovel Chapter 45: The Story of the Sealed Beef is Over
Chapter 45: The Story of the Sealed Beef is Over
"Tch!" Xie Xie immediately retorted, unconvinced, and gestured exaggeratedly.
"You talk like you're so mature! Aren't you the same age as me? Stop pretending to be so profound!"
"Bang!"
He had barely finished speaking when he received a solid blow to the back of the head.
"Ah!" Xie Xie clutched his head, grimacing as he jumped back, yelling in dissatisfaction.
"Gu Yue! You bastard! Why did you hit me again?! Don't you know I'm still injured?! My wound is about to burst open!"
He pointed to the scrapes and bruises on his body from the previous battle, trying to elicit sympathy.
Gu Yue withdrew his hand, his expression indifferent, as if he had just swatted away a fly.
As usual, she used her characteristic tone, which was somewhat aloof and disdainful, to mock him:
"It's so noisy. I'm not going to argue with a newbie like this, and I don't want to hear his childish remarks."
"You!" Xie Xie was furious, but he couldn't beat Gu Yue, so he could only glare at her angrily.
Gu Yue ignored him and turned to Yu Chen. A hint of concern flashed in her dark eyes, and the coldness in her tone faded slightly, replaced by a more direct question:
"Chen, did you... do some kind of mental intervention on him just now? I sensed a slight fluctuation of mental energy."
Her words revealed worry, not for Guanglong, but for the potential backlash or trouble that Yu Chen might cause by using extreme measures.
Yu Chen sensed the concern in her words and smiled gently at her, a smile that was both warm and reassuring.
The natural exchange between the two, without any deliberate attempt to get close, conveyed a tacit understanding that required no words, as if such conversations had occurred countless times before.
"It's a kind of deep hypnotic suggestion, combined with a bit of mental imprinting."
Yu Chen explained in a low voice, without mentioning anything about the Word Power Emperor.
"The main change was in his perception of collecting protection money. He was made to accept the money and do things accordingly. Since he had accepted the protection money, he was to ensure that the people here could do business with peace of mind."
Unless his strength and realm far surpass mine in the future, or a highly skilled expert in the spiritual realm spends considerable effort to help him understand, there's no need to worry that he'll remember the specific details of today's confrontation, and he certainly won't dare to cause trouble for Uncle Li again.
He paused, then added:
"This approach is 'cleaner' than simply beating him into submission or reporting him, and it also avoids potential subsequent covert retaliation against Uncle Li. After all, we can't be here all the time."
Gu Yue listened quietly, her dark eyes fixed on Yu Chen. After a moment, she nodded almost imperceptibly.
"Yes, as long as you know your limits."
She didn't ask for any more details, as if Yu Chen's statement that there was no problem meant there was no problem.
"Hypnosis?! It can be used like that?"
Although Xie Xie next to him didn't hear it completely, the word "hypnosis" still got into his ears.
His eyes lit up, and he seemed to have forgotten the "pain" he had just felt. He touched his chin, and a typical, slightly lewd, and dreamy smile appeared on his face, typical of a teenage boy.
"Doesn't that mean it can be used for... hehehe..."
"Thump!"
With an even louder thud than before, a large red bump swelled up on Xie Xie's head at a visible speed.
Gu Yue clenched his fist, a clear "well" shape seemingly forming on his smooth forehead, and his entire aura turned colder.
"A dirty mind, it needs to be cleaned up."
"Ouch—! Gu Yue, you went way too far!"
Xie Xie was in so much pain that tears almost welled up in his eyes, and he crouched down, clutching his head.
At this moment, Uncle Li, who had been watching all this with guilt, finally stepped forward.
His face showed gratitude, but even more so, apology and unease.
"Xiao Xie, and these classmates as well,"
Uncle Li bowed deeply to Yu Chen, Gu Yue, and also to Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan who were walking over.
"I'm so sorry! It's all my fault today; I've caused everyone a lot of trouble!"
He straightened up, his eyes a little red: "This shop grew from a small stall into a large business. I watched it grow up, it's like my own child."
"I... I really couldn't help it. Seeing them ruin my hard work like that, I couldn't hold back... I've dragged you all into this, and you've even had to fight those kinds of people for my sake, which might even cause you further trouble..."
He looked at Xie Xie, his tone earnest yet tinged with the worry of an elder:
"Xiao Xie, Uncle Li understands your feelings, but please don't be so impulsive in the future! We ordinary people can't afford to offend those people!"
Xie Xie also suppressed his carefree nature and became serious. He helped Uncle Li up, then turned to Yu Chen and the others, and solemnly said:
"No, Uncle Li, this all started because of me. I couldn't help but strike first. Brother Chen, Gu Yue, Wu Lin, I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this. And Brother Chen, thank you for taking that hit for me just now."
He was referring to how Yu Chen intervened in time to intercept Guang Long's initial sneak attack.
He straightened his back, his eyes resolute: "If Guanglong or his backers cause trouble in the future, I will take full responsibility! I will never implicate anyone or the academy!"
Yu Chen stepped forward and patted Xie Xie's shoulder, the pressure neither too light nor too heavy. His voice was calm yet carried a reassuring strength:
"The matter has been resolved, there's no need to talk about taking responsibility anymore. We're teammates, it's only right that we look after each other."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming more serious:
"However, Xie Xie, remember this lesson. In the future, when you encounter similar situations, plan carefully before you act."
"Sometimes fists can solve problems, but sometimes, using your brain and choosing a safer approach can avoid many unnecessary risks and regrets. This is especially true when you're not strong enough to crush everyone and protect everyone you care about."
Xie Xie looked into Yu Chen's calm yet profound eyes, then glanced at Gu Yue beside him, who remained expressionless but did not object to Yu Chen's words, and Tang Wulin, who nodded in agreement. A warm feeling welled up in his heart, and he truly took these words to heart.
He nodded vigorously: "I understand, Brother Chen! Thank you!"
Afterwards, Xie Xie helped Uncle Li tidy up the overturned tables and chairs and scattered items. Despite Uncle Li's refusals, he insisted on leaving a sum of money far exceeding the losses. Only then, amidst the grateful yet complicated gazes of the nearby vendors, Xie Xie returned to the academy with Yu Chen and the others.
Back at the academy, it was nearly dusk. The group didn't separate, but instead tacitly went together to Wu Changkong's small but tidy office.
They reported their encounter in the commercial street to Wu Changkong in detail, including the course of the conflict, Guanglong's identity, Yu Chen's handling of the situation, and their concerns.
Although Yu Chen had made arrangements using "hypnosis," just as Yu Chen had thought—it's better to be prepared.
In case the forces behind Guanglong persist, or if there are any unexpected mishaps during hypnosis, it would be much safer to have Wu Changkong, a cold but extremely protective teacher, who is aware of the situation and willing to cover for him.
Wu Changkong listened quietly, his cold blue eyes sweeping over the faces of the four students one by one.
Instead of reprimanding them for causing trouble as Xie Xie had expected, he nodded almost imperceptibly, and his cold voice rang out:
"Protecting the weak and embracing injustice is the duty of a Soul Master. You have done well."
He paused, his tone as concise and confident as ever:
"As for what happens next, there's no need to worry too much. If anyone is foolish enough to cause trouble, I'll handle it."
These words were like a reassurance to the students.
The report was finished, and the meeting should have ended there. But as Yu Chen and the others bowed and prepared to leave, Wu Changkong suddenly spoke:
"Thank you, Xie. Stay a moment."
Xie Xie froze instantly, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
His feeling was right. Half a minute later, Xie Xie walked out of the office with a long face, holding a piece of paper covered in writing in his hand—it was a "deluxe gift package" that would double his training volume for the next week (with a focus on strengthening reaction speed and pain resistance).
To paraphrase Wu Changkong: "Impulsiveness comes at a price, and a lack of ability requires even more effort. Double the training will help you think three more seconds before you act next time."
Xie Xie looked at the densely packed training program and was "moved" to tears.
……