Chapter 861: Star Sky Martial Display Ritual (24)

Bang!

The tea cup in his hand emitted a crisp sound; Yue Er jolted awake, suddenly realizing he had actually snapped the cup's handle off.

"What's wrong?" Lao Aide leaned in curiously.

"Ah… nothing, it's just that this cup has worn out; I accidentally snapped the handle," Yue Er quickly looked up with a smile, "I'll finish work tomorrow and buy a new set."

——

"Seeing Shuo Jin's massive mech behind him, the audience below immediately burst into discussion:"

"... Mr. Shuo Jin was opposed to the company's traditional No-Study School, right? Why is he taking on this mech endorsement job now?"

"I was watching his livestream where he smashed the company's mechs with his bare body... why is he now endorsing the company's weapons?"

"I have no idea either, how these two sides are wearing the same pants, what's this act about?"

Shuo Jin cleared his throat and solemnly addressed the audience: "Everyone, please stay calm! Some may find it odd to see me on this arena, assuming I'm hypocritical, that I've knelt to money and profit and become a traitor to Immortal Vessel. But I must tell you, the truth is far from what you think!"

"When the company first approached me to endorse this mech, I refused! The ancient martial art of Immortal Vessel that Shuo Jin has painstakingly practiced is a bona fide intangible cultural heritage; its strengthening of the body outperforms mechs by a hundredfold, a priceless treasure of world civilization!"

The audience shouted: "So why are you standing here now? If you were kidnapped, just blink quickly, Mr. Shuo Jin!"

Shuo Jin remained unfazed by the audience, his expression unchanged as he continued: "Ahem, perhaps you haven't heard that our school of martial arts has a long-standing connection with Interstellar Peace Company's mechs. So the question arises: how can Immortal Vessel's ancient martial art be linked to the Interstellar Peace Company? The story goes back over two thousand years. Historical records show that the Society of Erudition was invited to assist Immortal Vessel in the Bountiful People War..."

"At that time, scholars of the Society of Erudition emulated Immortal Vessel's golden warriors, creating thirteen power armors and meticulously refining the golden combat art to aid Immortal Vessel—this is the origin of the ancient martial art used by Shuo Jin."

Finishing, he adopted a look of regret, sighing: "Alas, over the long years, this tale of alliance has been forgotten. That's why I'm here today—to restore and reenact history. Interstellar Peace Company's mechs are also treasures of our Immortal Vessel martial art!"

——

The Adventures of Cheng Long.

Hahaha… Hahahaha—!

Xiao Yu covered her mouth, and the laughter slipped out between her fingers; at first it was a few snickers, but it quickly surged like a breached dam, uncontrollably roaring, clutching her belly, even causing the muscles on her face to twitch.

"Uncle Long! Did you see his smug face? And that dead‑serious expression! 'Interstellar Peace Company's mechs are also treasures of our Immortal Vessel martial art'! Genius... truly a genius idea, hahahaha! How on earth did he link those two things together? He really gave himself a hard time..."

"Even fictional historians would have to give him a slot, right? Hand the pen to Shuo Jin; he can write whatever history he wants!"

Cheng Long wore an expression of suppressed laughter; when someone is speechless to the extreme, you can't help but giggle. Shuo Jin, scrambling for endorsement money, concocted this excuse—truly desperate.

For a moment, he thought of domestic antique‑appraisal scammers, whose painstakingly fabricated stories are even more entertaining than Shuo Jin's. They took the company's money, deceiving the audience, yet they put a lot of effort into the deception.

Xiao Yu plopped onto the sofa, laughing uncontrollably: "If Immortal Vessel's ancient martial art is related to mechs, why is Shuo Jin only recalling it now, never mentioning it when he broke mechs with his bare body before? Looks like the company's 'Great Memory Restoration Technique' works well."

"Money makes ghosts turn the mill," Cheng Long smirked. "That saying really holds true; even our hometown proverb works beyond Earth."

——

Upon hearing, Ji Mi also sighed sarcastically: "Who would have thought, who would have thought, the company's power mechs are so deeply linked to Immortal Vessel—"

"The company's mechs and your martial art share the same origin, right? Why didn't you recall before? Did the company pay to awaken your memory?"

The audience below refused to buy it, their cheers growing louder.

"Only now do you bring this up? Can you live up to us, your longtime fans, Shuo Jin?!"

"Shuo Jin, scram! Shuo Jin, scram! Shuo Jin, scram!"

The situation was spiraling out of control, so Shuo Jin hurriedly interjected: "Everyone, hold your anger! To prove my words aren't empty, today I'll don this armor and demonstrate for you, showing whether my moves perfectly match the company's iron armor!"

"Everyone! In the previous martial ceremony, I lost by a single move to Lu Ka from Bei Luo Bo Ge! Since he's visiting today, I boldly challenge him again; I wonder if Lu Ka would be willing to give me further guidance?"

In the audience, Xing He and Lu Ka exchanged glances; the other's intention was crystal clear.

If Lu Ka steps onto the stage and loses, Shuo Jin regains his honor on the arena. If he refuses, he'll be branded a coward who fled, a narrative Shuo Jin would heavily publicize.

"So... this is Miss Topa's 'solution' method? She handed the opportunity to me, and I must grasp it tightly."

Lu Ka gladly accepted the challenge, but this match differed completely from the previous day. The audience no longer hurled endless insults at him; instead they all aimed at Shuo Jin opposite him.

"Shuo Jin, scram! Full of lies! Company lackey!"

——

Xiao Lin's Dragon Maid.

Hehehe… Hahahaha—!!!

In the living room, Tuo Er finally let out a long‑suppressed roar of laughter, watching the audience hurl insults at Shuo Jin, a feeling of sweet, vengeful exhilaration bubbling up inside.

"Yes! That's it! Let me scold him to death! Let him feel the helplessness of being unable to defend himself!"

"Alright, Tuo Er, stop hopping around the living room."

Xiao Lin walked to the fridge, pulled out a can of craft brew she usually hesitates to drink; this liquor was prepared especially for such a 'good show'.