The Cost of Deception

Le Zhengyu had lost count of how many times he had come up empty-handed. Ever since Gu Yue had tricked him out of the Star Silver Steel he had spent half a year saving points to exchange for with a flimsy set of excuses, he had embarked on a long journey of "debt collection."

But Gu Yue seemed to have vanished into thin air. Her dormitory door was always locked, she never replied to messages on her soul communication device, and she could no longer be found at the training grounds, library, or even Tang Wulin's forging room—none of the places she often visited held that figure with the sly smile anymore.

Le Zhengyu felt his patience being worn away with time. A suffocating frustration clogged his chest, unable to rise or fall.

That evening, Xie Xie had his hands in his pockets and was whistling an off-key tune as he strolled through the courtyard district where Le Zhengyu's dormitory was located. He had been busy lately and rarely had the chance to wander around. Just as he was about to pass the standalone dormitory with its little courtyard, a muffled voice filled with obvious irritation drifted over on the wind.

"...Bastard... Don't let me catch you..."

Xie Xie halted, his ears immediately perking up. Wasn't that Le Zhengyu? That guy usually carried himself with an upright, righteous air, speaking and acting with meticulous seriousness. When had Xie Xie ever heard him muttering to himself in such an aggrieved, teeth-gritting tone? Intense curiosity instantly seized him. His eyes shifted, and he lightened his steps, slipping silently to the courtyard wall of Le Zhengyu's dormitory like an agile cat. He poked half his head over the wall to peer inside.

The sight in the courtyard nearly made Xie Xie burst out laughing.

Le Zhengyu stood beneath his old tree with its somewhat sparse leaves, his back to the courtyard gate. A blown-up photograph of Gu Yue was plastered to the trunk—heaven knew where he had found it. Gu Yue wore an infuriatingly punchable expression in the photo, clearly something Le Zhengyu had put up to vent his frustration. Several obviously blunted metal throwing darts meant for training were clenched in his hand. He took a deep breath and swung his arm.

"Whoosh!" The dart left his hand and embedded itself firmly in the tree trunk less than an inch from the photograph, scattering a few wood chips.

"Liar!" Le Zhengyu cursed under his breath.

He picked up another dart, aimed, and threw it. "Whoosh!"

"Scoundrel!"

The third dart flew out. "Spit out my Star Silver Steel!"

The fourth. "Hide! Keep hiding!"

His throwing motions were as crisp and decisive as ever, characteristic of a light-attribute soul master. Yet his back somehow radiated childish grievance and indignation. The setting sun rimmed his golden hair with a soft, fuzzy halo, but it did nothing to soften the aura of I'm furious pouring off him. Several darts had already been stuck crookedly around Gu Yue's photograph on the old tree trunk, making it look like an unconventional target.

Xie Xie watched with relish, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably. He could hardly believe his eyes. Le Zhengyu, normally so stern and earnest, always going on about Lineage rules, actually had such a... childish and hilarious side. This was far more interesting than cultivation. Quick as lightning, Xie Xie pulled out his soul communication device, unlocked it, opened the recording function, adjusted the angle, and clearly recorded the classic scene of Le Zhengyu throwing darts at "Gu Yue" while accompanying every throw with a brief verbal denunciation.

The video was not long, but it was more than entertaining enough. Satisfied, Xie Xie tapped stop recording. After a moment's thought, a mischievous, triumphant grin spread across his face. His fingers flew across the screen as he found the contact he had almost never reached out to first, labeled "Gu Yue (Cunning)," and sent her the video without hesitation.

He added only three words: "You're finished."

Tap. Sent successfully.

Xie Xie put away his communication device and gave Le Zhengyu one last glance. Still completely unaware, Le Zhengyu was earnestly continuing his "dart-throwing vent session." Xie Xie suppressed the urge to laugh and quietly departed after doing his good deed. He could practically imagine the expression Gu Yue might wear when she opened the video—probably surprise first, then a raised brow, and perhaps finally that familiar, meaningful smile.

"Ding-dong." It was not long before Gu Yue replied.

"He's that mad?"

"Of course. Look at him, his face has practically turned green. I've never seen him this angry before."

"Wait there. I'm coming over now."

"Hey, don't come! He's furious right now. Wouldn't you just be adding fuel to the fire?"

After a while, a rapid string of footsteps approached. Gu Yue leaned against the courtyard wall, panting, and shouted inside, "Spare... the photo!"

"Pfft!" Xie Xie burst out laughing. "Gu Yue?! You actually dared to come? I've been looking for you forever!" Le Zhengyu roared from inside the courtyard.

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

"You liar, give me back my Star Silver Steel!" Le Zhengyu rushed out of the house, his face indeed tinged green.

"I used it." Gu Yue's expression did not change.

"What! You... you..." Le Zhengyu was too furious to form a complete sentence. "I—I've never met a woman as shameless as you!"

"Well, now you have."

"Get lost!"

"No, compensate me for my Star Silver Steel!" Le Zhengyu came to his senses.

"What if I don't?"

"If you don't, I'll tell Teacher Wu and have him teach you a lesson!"

Gu Yue was still somewhat afraid of Wu Zhangkong, so she could only compromise. "Then tell me how I should compensate you."

Le Zhengyu turned and went back inside, returning with a printed price list. It detailed the market price of Star Silver Steel, processing fees, and emotional damages. The total in the final column was alarmingly large. Gu Yue exploded. "You... you're extorting me!"

"These are legitimate prices—the market rate plus the cost of my time." Le Zhengyu spoke with complete seriousness.

"I don't have that much money." Gu Yue gritted her teeth.

Le Zhengyu stroked his chin and thought for a moment. "How about this? You're a mecha designer, aren't you? Design a blueprint for the left arm armor of a One-Word Battle Armor for me. It has to use an original structure, its energy conduction efficiency can't be below eighty-seven percent, and it needs to be lightweight. Once the blueprint passes inspection, this debt will be wiped clean."

Gu Yue glared at him, struggling inwardly. A left arm armor blueprint was not difficult, but the details demanded precision. She would have to pull at least several all-nighters. But compared to that astronomical compensation, this seemed to be her only choice.

"...Fine." Gu Yue looked pained, mainly because she was thinking about how she would not be able to sleep in for the next few days.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll inspect your progress every night," Le Zhengyu added.

Gu Yue rolled her eyes and turned to leave the courtyard. Only after her figure disappeared around the alley corner did Xie Xie slowly emerge from beside the wall. Leaning against it, he clicked his tongue. "This is what they call bringing disaster upon yourself."

Le Zhengyu glanced at him, remembering Xie Xie's laughter as he watched the spectacle earlier. Without another word, he slammed the courtyard gate shut with a bang.

Xie Xie ended up with his nose metaphorically buried in ash. Muttering at the gate, he said, "Well, someone's really got a temper." Shaking his head, he left as well.

Inside the courtyard, Le Zhengyu picked up the price list Gu Yue had crumpled and then smoothed out. Looking at the small line in the corner that read, "Actual psychological price: one blueprint," he still felt a little unbalanced. But... getting a battle armor blueprint designed by her did not seem like such a loss.

He put away the list and returned to the house, his mood inexplicably much better. Meanwhile, Gu Yue was walking back to her dormitory, her mind filled with structural diagrams for the left arm armor. She considered how she could meet his requirements while secretly adding a little of the element she excelled at to strike back at him. Moonlight spilled across the stone path, and the night breeze was slightly cool. She softly exhaled and muttered under her breath, "Le Zhengyu, just you wait."