Why Am I the One Being Pursued? Chapter 40

"Is that so? That's good, then. Hurry and get some rest. I'll take you out for breakfast."

"Mm... um, Bai Jun, how are you so strong? You're even stronger than all the uncles and elders I've met before..." Sushang lay flat on the ground, gazing at the sky gradually turning pale with dawn, and quietly asked Bai Jun beside her.

"If you're asking how I became this strong, I'd tell you to train more. But if you're asking why I'm this strong, I can't answer that. If I had to say, it's probably what they call talent."

"Huh? Okay..."

"Sushang, you're already very good. You're much stronger than I expected. You just lack actual combat experience. Maybe in another decade or so, you'll surpass me."

Bai Jun was no longer as expressionless as usual. A smile appeared on his face as he highly praised Sushang's talent. The previously dejected Sushang immediately brightened up, ignoring the pain in her body as she sat up and patted her chest.

"Hehe, of course! This young lady is going to become a great hero whose name goes down in history!"

"Yes, yes... Sushang is the best. All right, since you can get up now, let's hurry and get breakfast. There won't be any seats if we're late." Bai Jun stood up, dusted off his pants, and extended a hand toward Sushang.

"Huh? But I still hurt a lot..."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Carry me!"

"Hah? You're already grown up and you're not embarrassed? No, no, absolutely not!"

Bai Jun flatly refused her. He would never do something so damaging to his image.

Bai Jun's brow furrowed as he immediately shielded Sushang in front of him

On the gradually bustling main street, yawning passersby unanimously turned their eyes toward the two overlapping, intimate figures.

If one had to ask why, it was probably because they had not seen such an affectionate young couple in a long time. A scene so romantic and full of vitality always made people want to praise the beauty of youth.

"Ooh, there are more people now."

Sushang's arms were wrapped around Bai Jun's neck, her light body pressed against his back. Though the process had been somewhat difficult, she had ultimately gotten her wish and made Bai Jun carry her.

After arriving on the street, there were clearly far more pedestrians than before. Looking at the storefront shutters rattling upward all around them and the faint aroma of food drifting through the air, Sushang suddenly leaned back, one hand around Bai Jun's neck while the other directed him toward a shop whose sign read rice noodle rolls.

"Bai Jun, I want that!"

"Don't shout so loudly. Isn't that embarrassing? And your hands are filthy. Stop rubbing them against my face..."

A disgusted expression appeared on Bai Jun's face. He firmly supported her long, fair legs with his hands while leaning forward slightly to adjust his center of gravity, lest Sushang fall off later.

Fortunately, Sushang was extremely light, so carrying her along the way was effortless. Feeling the soft warmth from behind him and a trace of delicate contact, Bai Jun's heart remained as still as an ancient well. He even silently quickened his pace.

Many people sat on the long benches inside the shop, chatting about everything under the sun. Amid that warm atmosphere drifted the enticing fragrance of food.

This was one of Exalting Sanctum's most famous breakfast shops. The owner was still too lazy to exchange pleasantries with anyone. Young students, fashionable men and women, office workers, and shriveled old people sat across from one another, all eating the same smooth, tender rice noodle rolls.

Crossing the interior and passing through the noisy crowd, Bai Jun joined the end of a short queue.

Sushang followed behind him. Following Bai Jun's order, she asked for a bowl of beef rice noodle rolls, two tea eggs, a small dish of vinegar-pickled vegetables, and a large portion of char siu. The only difference was that she did not order the thing called Soda Mung Bean Milk.

The noisy customers were eating. Those seated together discussed their plans for the next holiday while they ate, or complained about family and work. It was all ordinary small talk.

Bai Jun found an empty seat and walked over through the clamor, with Sushang close behind.

"Bai Jun, are you going to work later?"

"No. Today is a rare day off. I'm planning to visit the Artisanship Commission later."

Bai Jun habitually peeled the tea eggs and set them aside before dumping the char siu into the beef rice noodle rolls. He then picked up a piece of tender, juicy char siu along with steaming rice noodle rolls and put them into his mouth. Once the smooth meat and sweet fragrance of the rolls had fully blended together, he took a bite of tea egg simmered in black tea. The taste was rich and left a lingering aftertaste.

"The Artisanship Commission... What are you going there for, Bai Jun?"

Sushang imitated Bai Jun's way of eating. After realizing it tasted quite good this way, she silently sped up and stuffed two tea eggs into her mouth at once, her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's as she mumbled her question.

"I'm going... Why are you asking? Hurry up and eat. Go back to your Cloud Cavalry job once you're done."

Without drawing attention to it, Bai Jun brushed aside Sushang's little hand as it secretly reached for the tea eggs in his bowl. He did not answer her question and continued eating breakfast on his own.

"Actually, things are really easy for us in the Cloud Cavalry every day. Even when we patrol everywhere with all our strength, we hardly see any thieves or troublemakers. So if you ever have any trouble and need help, just call me!"

Sushang knew everyone had their own privacy, so she said no more. She only sincerely expressed her feelings.

Bai Jun waved his hand generously, but after giving it some thought, forging really would be much more convenient with an assistant. He rubbed his chin and looked at Sushang probingly. "Hm, are you sure I can call you for any kind of trouble?"

"Of course! Anything is fine!"

"Good. Then come with me to the Artisanship Commission later. I'll treat you to this meal."

Bai Jun clapped his hands and took Sushang's wallet from his pocket, paying the bill with great generosity. The simple-minded Sushang had no idea she had already fallen into a trap and even thanked Bai Jun foolishly.

After paying, the two of them quickened their eating pace and finished breakfast in less than ten minutes.

"Oh, right, Bai Jun. What's that thing you haven't finished drinking? Soy milk?"

Sushang pointed at Bai Jun's unfinished Soda Mung Bean Milk, voicing the question she had been keeping to herself. If it was soy milk, wasn't the color far too dark? It looked like mung bean juice mixed with soy milk.

"Luofu specialty Soda Mung Bean Milk. Every gourmet who drinks it says it's good. Want to try it if you don't believe me?"

Sushang curiously looked at the bean milk before her. But the moment she leaned forward to sniff it, a powerful sour, rancid smell hit her head-on. Her face turned pale with fright. "Gah, th-this is something people drink...?"

"I think it's good. It has tremendous benefits for adolescents."

Bai Jun calmly picked it up and took a hearty sip as if he had not been affected in the slightest. "Mm... It's cool and refreshing. It has the fragrance of beans as well as a faint sweetness. And this sweetness is different from fructose—it's the distinctive fragrant sweetness of fermented food."

"Go ahead and try it. Lots of people are frightened by its smell the first time, but if you can accept it, bean milk really is delicious."

Because Bai Jun had seemed so knowledgeable about food while eating the rice noodle rolls earlier, Sushang instinctively assumed he was a very good eater. After being talked into it by him, she immediately became tempted to try it.

"O-okay, I'll try it..."

She nervously accepted the bean milk Bai Jun pushed toward her. After an intense internal struggle, she closed her eyes tightly, furrowed her brow, and, trusting Bai Jun, abruptly raised it to her lips and took a sip.

"Bleurgh..."

Well, it seemed she really could not accept it.

After breakfast, the two took a skiff taxi to the entrance of a bright circular hall in the Artisanship Commission.

The moment she stepped off the skiff, the pale-faced Sushang let out a long breath of foul air and complained, "Ugh, that bean milk was absolutely disgusting. Whenever I remember that taste, I almost threw up in the skiff just now."

"You're being delicate. Skip a few meals and you'll behave."

"Come to think of it, this is the Luofu's Artisanship Commission? Why is it so different from what I imagined..."

Sushang surveyed the desolate surroundings. Apart from the massive stone door in front of them, there seemed to be nothing else. There was not even a guard. It could not compare to the Artisanship Commission back in her Yaoqing at all!

"This is the back entrance. Remember to talk less later."

Bai Jun gave her a speechless glance before walking straight to the hall entrance. He casually picked up a sheet of paper, folded it into a bird with a few quick movements, and said something. The paper doll immediately flapped its wings and flew away.

A moment later, as though some mechanism had received an order, earthshaking vibrations rang out around the hall. The circular walls continuously separated and retracted until only the main entrance remained. Movement came from within the department, and soon the doors were pushed open from inside. A man in uniform stepped out.

"Lord Zhu Lun, you've returned... Ah, so it's Hundred—"

The man immediately showed a delighted expression, but before he could finish greeting him, Bai Jun gestured for silence.

"There's no need to be so polite. And judging by what you said, it seems Director Zhu Lun isn't in the Artisanship Commission?" Bai Jun casually asked as he entered through the doors.

There were six ranks of office within the Artisanship Commission. At the top was the Director, followed in order by Grand Artisan, Artisan, Master Craftsman, Craftsman, and apprentices at the lowest rank.

"Yes! Lord Zhu Lun went to Zhuming to observe and study some time ago. The Artisanship Commission's affairs are currently being handled by the two Grand Artisans, Master Gongshu Liang and Master Cong Huan. However, Master Cong Huan usually only stays within his clan, so only Master Gongshu is currently here in the Artisanship Commission. Would you like me to notify Master Gongshu?"

The man, a Master Craftsman himself, could barely hide his excitement. He looked as though he had met an idol and might pull out a sheet of paper for Bai Jun's autograph at any moment.

"Er, no need. I'll go myself."

Bai Jun found it difficult to deal with such enthusiasm. He patted the man on the shoulder and led Sushang farther inside.

The Artisanship Commission was filled with focused apprentices and extremely anxious craftsmen. The former studied the essentials of four technical fields under the Artisans—weaponry, shipbuilding, mechanical design, and materials science—while the latter were busy submitting academic papers before their deadlines.

"Hey! Senior brother, stop fiddling with that thing. I bought two movie tickets. Want to go together?"

"Get lost, you stupid woman! This is the external skeletal mech I poured three years of effort into! And I have to submit the results next month. If I miss the deadline and can't advance to Master Craftsman, can you take responsibility for that?"

Scenes like that could be found everywhere. For those who had truly come to the Artisanship Commission to learn, this place was a hall of thought and spirit. Titles such as Master Craftsman and Artisan were not merely ranks of status; they represented the true beginning of walking the path of forging. They pursued craftsmanship beyond compare, striving to complete the "Hundred Refinements Grand Forging" ceremony and be bestowed with the title of "Hundred Refinements Master."

It was completely different from where they had been earlier. The interior lighting of the Artisanship Commission was exceptionally well designed, dazzling and brilliant as though everything shone.

The polished corridors were not merely free of trash; they were spotless. Sushang walked down the hallway, and her long boots made almost no sound against the floor because it incorporated all kinds of sound-absorbing materials. This had been the thesis achievement of one of the Artisans here—no, he should now be called a Grand Artisan—Master Gongshu Liang.

Apprentices and craftsmen were scattered throughout the broad, pristine corridors. Most read books while tinkering with the components at hand.

"This feels incredible..."

Sushang obediently followed behind Bai Jun. Seeing how familiar he was with this place, as though he visited often, and recalling the unfinished title the man had called him earlier, a trace of curiosity arose in her heart.

"Bai Jun, what was that man calling you earlier? Hundred... what was it?"

"You must have heard wrong. He was trying to call me Bai Jun."

Bai Jun did not turn around, merely brushing her off. Under Sushang's disbelieving gaze, he passed around a corner and arrived at a residence he often visited. Before he could knock, the furious scolding of a man faintly rang out from within.

"What exactly are you idiots doing?! You can't even handle something as simple as recording Rongzhu's data? I haven't even assigned you the repair work yet, and you've already made such a mess! What Master Craftsmen are you supposed to be? Hurry up and go back to being apprentices! Oh, dear me, how did I, the mighty 'number one genius hand at smelting gold and forging iron,' end up teaching such foolish disciples..."

Bai Jun did not knock. He pushed the door straight open. Inside, a row of ashamed-looking men and women knelt on the floor. The one berating them was a weary bearded man. Hearing that someone had actually dared to enter without knocking, Gongshu Liang became even angrier and glared furiously at the newcomer.

"Who let you in? Haven't I taught you not to— Oh my, Lord Hundred Refinements Master! What brings you here?!"

Once he saw who it was, Gongshu Liang demonstrated what it meant to change faces in front of all his disciples. Just as he was about to cup his hands in salute, Bai Jun immediately placed a finger against his lips and made a shushing gesture, telling him to be quiet.

Unfortunately, Sushang had already heard those words. She finally learned what the man at the entrance had failed to finish saying.

Hundred Refinements Master... It sounded so familiar. Sushang felt she had heard the title back in Yaoqing before, but even so, it still seemed so unfamiliar and distant, as though the words could never have anything to do with her.

While Sushang was pondering the meaning of Hundred Refinements Master and nearly overheating her brain, Gongshu Liang briefly thought it over. He seemed to have misunderstood something, and after organizing his thoughts, he assumed there was a problem with how he had addressed Bai Jun, so he hurriedly corrected himself.

"My apologies, Liu Jing—"

"Just call me Bai Jun."

With a dull sound, Bai Jun's hand had already covered his mouth. His tone carried a faintly dangerous warning, frightening Master Gongshu so badly that his eyes nearly popped out. Only after he nodded frantically like a pecking chick did Bai Jun release him.

"Lord Bai Jun... Er, anyway, why have you suddenly come here today?"

"I'm borrowing the workshop and some materials."

"Of course, of course. Use them however you please. It's just that right now..."

Master Gongshu wiped away his sweat and explained with some difficulty, "You probably heard just now that, due to my foolish disciples' operational error, the automaton Rongzhu stored in the workshop has gone out of control. So I'm afraid you'll have to wait a little while until we deal with it before you can go inside."

"No need to make things so troublesome! Leave something as minor as subduing an automaton to this young lady!"

Sushang had been racking her mind over what Hundred Refinements Master meant and was nearly burning out her brain. The moment she heard there was a chance to show off, she excitedly jumped out, patted her chest, and loudly guaranteed it.

"Y-you are?"

"Hehe, no need for formalities. Just tell me where it is. I'll be back in no time!"

Master Gongshu frowned. His first instinct was to call someone to throw out this person who looked so foolish, but seeing that she seemed to know Bai Jun, he could only point toward the workshop. Sushang arrogantly raised her chin, grabbed Bai Jun, and pulled him toward the door.

Automatons were support robots forged by the Xianzhou Alliance using ancient mechanical arts. Countless ages ago, automatons had accompanied the Xianzhou on its voyage in search of the elixir of immortality, supervising and assisting humanity in war.

A thousand years had passed. Following the catastrophe known as the Automaton Rebellion, most modern automatons were only one to three meters tall and served different functions.

Most automatons widely used throughout the Alliance were one or two meters tall and specialized in loading and unloading cargo. The combat automatons Sushang had seen were at most around three meters tall and slow-moving. Before the Xuanyuan Sword, they were practically toys.

Ideas were beautiful, but reality was harsh.

Looking up at the terrifying automaton in the workshop, as tall as a small mountain and nearly six meters high, its entire body black, its left hand holding a golden-glowing punishment staff and its eyes radiating a fearsome gleam, Sushang swallowed with difficulty. She felt that one elbow strike from the thing could send her straight into her next life.

"B-Bai Jun, d-doesn't this seem a little wrong...?"

"Yes. It's much trickier than I imagined. This could be a very difficult battle."

Bai Jun's voice suddenly sounded from the distance. Sushang spun around in horror and discovered that he had somehow already run outside, apparently preparing to lock the door. She immediately shouted at him anxiously, "No, Bai Jun! You're so strong, you should be the one fighting it!"

Bai Jun showed a puzzled expression and sighed innocently. "What are you talking about? How can a dignified Cloud Cavalry hand an enemy over to a mere office worker? Besides, didn't you say I could ask you for help with any trouble?"

"Good luck. I'm going to get reinforcements. For now, please do everything you can to stop that rampaging automaton."

"Y-you can't leave me behind! Help!"

Amid Sushang's frightened, tearful scream, Bai Jun slammed the doors shut.

"Sacred Judgment of Heavenly Fire"

By the time Bai Jun returned with others, about fifteen minutes had passed.

The workshop still echoed with the tremendous sounds of smashing and crashing. On the bright side, Sushang's embarrassing screams could no longer be heard. Perhaps she was fiercely battling the automaton.