Chapter 23: In All My Life, I've Never Seen Such Arrogance

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The Intermediate Mechanical Power Arm could only be used three times before its durability would drop from 18 points to 9 points upon exhausting all uses. To continue using it thereafter, one had to replenish its power source.

Replenishing the power source would restore the number of available uses but not the durability itself.

Once the durability reached zero, the Intermediate Mechanical Power Arm would become completely unusable and damaged beyond repair.

Su Jinyan raised an eyebrow with a smile. "Master Gongshu, what do you think now? Hm, where did Master Gongshu go?"

Thud, thud, thud—

In a corner of the gold-smelting workshop, tears streamed down Master Gongshu's face as he repeatedly banged his head against a pillar.

"Just like that, five thousand merit points gone... I truly deserve this, I truly deserve this..."

"Why, oh why was I so stubborn? Damn it, how could I fail to recognize its intricacies?"

"Master Gongshu, don't be like this... Don't be like this... Master Gongshu..." Several apprentices tried coaxing and pulling him away, finally managing to dissuade him from the pillar.

Regardless of the outcome, both the artisans and apprentices of the Artisanship Commission had learned a profound lesson: under no circumstances should they bet against Su Jinyan, lest they lose everything they own.

Fu Xuan remarked mildly, "Although Gongshu Liang is a seasoned craftsman with exceptional skills within the Artisanship Commission, his merit point balance is not particularly high."

"Since merit points can only be earned by innovation or performance within the Artisanship Commission, the rewards for innovative inventions significantly exceed those for mere performance."

Fu Xuan's implication was clear.

Despite Master Gongshu's exceptional skills, he lacked the ability to innovate.

Thus, his total merit points were not as high as Su Jinyan had imagined.

Losing five thousand merit points would undoubtedly cause Master Gongshu considerable distress for quite some time.

Naturally, Fu Xuan did not play the peacemaker by urging Su Jinyan to relinquish these merit points. After all, it was a voluntary bet agreed upon by both parties; if one lost, they could only blame themselves, not others.

Smiling faintly, Su Jinyan approached Master Gongshu and gently consoled him, "Master Gongshu, don't cry anymore. Let me share something uplifting with you."

Jing Yuan felt slightly surprised. "Yanqing, your teacher seems rather extraordinary."

"Five thousand merit points is no small amount. He willingly gave them up? Is he unaware of their value, or does he adhere strictly to the gentleman's way, using bets merely to vent frustration?"

The corner of Yanqing's mouth twitched. "General, you're overthinking it."

Jing Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Master Gongshu wiped away his tears, feeling somewhat better inside.

It seemed this young fellow had no intention of claiming those merit points from me.

But it was I who proposed the bet; reneging on my word would severely undermine my authority before the disciples in the future.

Su Jinyan chuckled lightly, "Ah, Master Gongshu, let me tell you, I just won a wager and earned five thousand merit points."

"Do you know what five thousand merit points mean? It's enough to exchange for a hundred low-grade medicinal pills from the Alchemy Commission."

"Ha ha ha, even if I treated them like candy, eating one pill per day, they'd last me over three months," Su Jinyan continued unabashedly.

Master Gongshu's eyes widened, utterly disbelieving that Su Jinyan could utter such shameless words.

Jing Yuan remained silent, observing the scene unfold.

Yanqing shrugged, spreading his hands. "See?"

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Jing Yuan said, "Your understanding of his character is quite accurate."

Yanqing gritted his teeth, "How could I not understand? That's exactly how Teacher treated me moments ago."

Jing Yuan remained speechless.

Ah Wei exclaimed dramatically, "Oh no! Master Gongshu has fainted from anger!"

The apprentices rushed forward anxiously, pressing acupoints, administering tonic water, and gently slapping his cheeks until Master Gongshu finally regained consciousness.

"I was only joking with you earlier," Su Jinyan said leisurely. "Five thousand merit points don't really matter to me. However, there is one condition I hope Master Gongshu will agree to."

Master Gongshu took several deep breaths and, with caution, glanced at Su Jinyan. "What terms?"

"How about forging equipment for me free of charge from now on?" Su Jinyan suggested.

Master Gongshu sighed in relief. "That's easily arranged. From this day forth, young friend Su, you shall be my ally. Naturally, forging your equipment without charge is expected."

Su Jinyan's eyes lit up, and he grasped Master Gongshu's aged hand, shaking it enthusiastically. "Wonderful, thank you, Master Gongshu."

Master Gongshu waved his hand dismissively. "No need to thank me; it's only right. By the way, what kind of equipment do you wish to forge?"

Su Jinyan rubbed his chin, then snapped his fingers. "Got it! First, could you forge one million Intermediate Mechanical Power Arms for me, just like the ones you assembled earlier?"

Master Gongshu trembled, pointing shakily at Su Jinyan, his eyes filled with anguish. "You—"

Before he could finish, Master Gongshu collapsed unconscious once more.

"Oh no, Master Gongshu fainted again!" Ah Wei exclaimed anxiously.

The apprentices rushed forward anew, some pressing acupoints, others administering tonic water, while a few even slapped him vigorously across the face.

Sighing, Su Jinyan observed, "As people age, their mental fortitude really diminishes."

Fu Xuan and Tingyun simultaneously covered their faces in disbelief.

How can you have the audacity to say that?

Suddenly, Master Gongshu jolted awake, panting heavily. "Damn it! Who the f*ck took advantage and slapped me just now?! Show yourself!"

"Teacher," Yanqing murmured, "are you planning a rebellion with all these Intermediate Mechanical Power Arms?"

Su Jinyan's expression turned solemn. "Indeed, I intend to support Lady Fu Xuan in overthrowing the general."

Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow.

Yanqing stared incredulously.

Jing Yuan burst out laughing heartily. "Ha ha ha, what a clever joke!"

"This isn't a jest—" Su Jinyan began earnestly before being abruptly cut off by muffled sounds.

Fu Xuan hastily stood on tiptoe and reached out with her delicate, fair hands. Disregarding any concern for her image, she firmly covered Su Jinyan's mouth.

"That's enough! This venerable one seeks for the general to step aside willingly, not usurp his position!" Fu Xuan insisted.

Struggling desperately to pry open Fu Xuan's tender grip, Su Jinyan managed to say, "Everyone knows of Imperial Diviner Fu Xuan's intentions."

"Lady Fu Xuan, what more are you waiting for?"

"Just give the word, and we'll rally our brothers to topple the general's damn—"

"Cough, to topple the general's throne," he corrected himself.

Confusion flickered across Jing Yuan's eyes. If I heard correctly, didn't you clearly mean to say 'topple my damn throne,' right?

Yanqing silently positioned herself protectively in front of Jing Yuan. "General, as you can see," she said, "I've long warned that the Imperial Diviner doesn't seem like someone trustworthy. Look at how quickly Teacher has been influenced since joining the Divination Commission just days ago."

Jing Yuan smiled faintly and waved a hand. "All right, let's end the jokes here." Turning to Su Jinyan, he continued, "Sir Su, come with me; there is something I need to discuss with you."

With that, Jing Yuan leisurely descended the steps and left the gold-smelting workshop.

Fu Xuan cast him a surprised glance. "It seems the general values you quite highly. Go ahead now."

Su Jinyan proudly responded, "As Lady Fu Xuan says," adding arrogantly, "Given my exceptional talent, it's only natural for the general to hold me in high regard."

Fu Xuan glared at him. "In the art of slacking off, indeed you excel." She continued sarcastically, "Having worked here for just a week, yet slacking off six out of those seven days—you're practically on par with Qingque!"

Su Jinyan gritted his teeth. "To be outdone by Qingque? How infuriating! I must step up my game."

Tingyun was torn between laughter and tears. "Benefactor, don't let misplaced competitiveness get the better of you in situations like this!"

"Hmph, in all my years, I've never encountered such audacity," Fu Xuan said coldly.

Su Jinyan remained unabashedly arrogant. "Well, looks like today's your first time then, eh?"

Fu Xuan narrowed her beautiful eyes, flicking her finger as a burst of amethyst light flashed forth.

Su Jinyan swiftly leaped backward, breaking out in a cold sweat as he gazed at the pit left where he had been standing moments ago.

It seemed he ought to exercise more restraint in front of Fu Xuan from now on, avoiding excessive arrogance.