Seeing such a dazzling scene, Grandpa Mo burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha! Wonderful! It must have been my student Pang Shi. He really did me proud." Finally holding his head high, Grandpa Mo was in a terrific mood.
He picked up the bag of tea leaves beside him and scooped out some with a small wooden shovel. Then, seemingly deciding it was too much, he shook out over half of it with hands trembling almost like he had Parkinson's.
He packed the less than one tael of tea leaves into another small bag and handed it to Grandpa Lei.
"Old Lei! I might be busy for the next few days and won't have time for you. Take this tea and drink it yourself."
With that, Grandpa Mo jogged downstairs to pick up his prized student.
Grandpa Lei, meanwhile, curled his lip disdainfully and said sourly, "Hmph, what's so great about that? It's just an SSS-Rank Clear. It's not like I've never seen one."
An SSS-Rank Clear, commonly known as a perfect clear, could only happen once in each Spirit Domain.
But exactly how to clear one had always been a major challenge.
There were countless Spirit Domains in the world, yet only two had ever achieved a perfect clear. This one was the third. It would be a lie to say he was not envious.
Still, Grandpa Lei was satisfied, because he saw Xu Jiang emerge from the Spirit Domain with all four limbs intact and laden with loot. It seemed he had gained quite a bit.
Grandpa Lei smiled faintly. Still wearing slippers and beach shorts, with a cigarette dangling from his lips, he leisurely ambled over to Xu Jiang.
"Kid, you're back? How did it go?"
Grandpa Lei's appearance warmed Xu Jiang's heart. He had no one to rely on in this other world, so he had not expected this old man to be loyal enough to wait outside the Spirit Domain for him.
Xu Jiang grinned smugly and gave himself a thumbs-up.
"Of course it went fine. The moment I stepped in, I wiped out all the monsters. Even that strongest Frost Giant Bull couldn't take two magazines from me."
Look at that confidence. Young people these days really loved to brag without knowing their limits. Grandpa Lei shook his head helplessly.
Still, it was not bad. After going through a trial, maintaining such a mindset was better than being one of those cowards.
"Alright, it was only a small trial. Don't get too full of yourself. There are plenty of challenges waiting ahead. As promised, I'll arrange a job for you."
Xu Jiang's eyes lit up when he heard that an organization would arrange work for him.
"What job? Let me make this clear first: I'm not doing it if it's too lame."
"Don't worry. This job suits you very well. It's a one-year security intern position."
"What? Security? And an intern?" Xu Jiang seriously suspected the old man was messing with him.
In this world, were even security guards standing at the entrance in such high demand that there were preparatory positions like internships?
Could it be that my singing and dancing skills would finally come in handy?
Seeing Xu Jiang's disdainful gaze, Grandpa Lei explained unhurriedly, "Xu Jiang! Don't underestimate an internship position! You'll receive professional training and classes, the work pressure is low, and food and lodging are included. Isn't that great?"
"Not great at all." Xu Jiang retorted with disdain, "That job doesn't sound like it pays much."
"Oh, why is money all you ever think about? You're still young. Think long-term and don't chase petty gains. You should be a person with ambitions and ideals."
Xu Jiang pondered for a moment. That sounded oddly familiar.
His boss in his previous life seemed to have said the same thing.
The result was that he got ideals, while his boss got a villa. They had each gotten what they wanted.
Naturally, Xu Jiang refused this sort of job. As a security intern, he probably could not even support himself. He still needed to make money to buy Qianji new clothes.
Before he could speak, however, a voice sounded behind him, protesting on his behalf.
"Oh, Brother Lei! We've known each other for so long, yet your connections are still this terrible. A security intern? That job won't do."
He turned and found that the old man surnamed Mo had also arrived, with his beloved student Pang Shi following behind him.
It was just that the smile on his face looked rather stiff and awkward.
And besides...
"What did you just call me?" Grandpa Lei asked in disbelief.
"I called you Brother Lei! Oh, come on! Aren't you only a few years older than me? We've known each other for decades. Why be so particular about it?"
After saying that, he warmly patted Xu Jiang on the shoulder and said, "You're Xu Jiang, right? I heard about you from Pang Shi. A young hero indeed. Not bad, not bad."
With that kindly demeanor, he looked every bit like a respected master and elder. But the more he acted this way, the more vigilant Grandpa Lei became.
"Unsolicited kindness usually hides a scheme. What are you after?" Grandpa Lei asked with narrowed eyes.
"Nothing. I was just passing by and heard you discussing work. The Martial Arts Association recently started a Special Training Class. It comes with a monthly subsidy of 8,000 Credit Points and suits Xu Jiang perfectly. How about I help you train your disciple?"
As Grandpa Mo spoke, he reached a hand toward Xu Jiang.
Smack!
Like he was fending off a pervert, Grandpa Lei slapped his hand away.
"Heh! Help me train my disciple? Get lost! Do you take me for some senile fool?"
They had known each other for decades, yet this was the first time he had ever heard him use the title "Brother Lei." And this notorious miser was offering help so eagerly? There had to be something fishy going on!
Grandpa Lei was no fool. He immediately grasped the key point: Xu Jiang must have performed exceptionally well in the Spirit Domain, and the Martial Arts Association wanted to poach him.
Turning to Xu Jiang, he asked, "Did you perform exceptionally well in the Spirit Domain?"
"..."
"So after I said all that, you didn't hear a word?"
"What you said just now? Hmm, that the Frost Giant Bull couldn't withstand two magazines from you? Is that even possible?"
"Of course it is. If it took one more bullet, I'd count it as my loss." Xu Jiang flamboyantly flicked his gun, wearing an expression that said, You really haven't seen much.
Grandpa Lei seemed to think of something. He glanced at the deeply shaken Pang Shi, who did not refute Xu Jiang at all. Could it be true?
"What was your rating?"
"SSS."
Gasp!!!
Not only Grandpa Lei, but even the other two, who had mentally prepared themselves, were utterly shocked upon hearing it.
Just moments ago, Pang Shi had told his teacher that the one who achieved the perfect clear was not him, but a young man wearing an Exoskeleton Mech and carrying a Desert Eagle.
The other party wore dark goggles, making his appearance impossible to see, and Pang Shi had not been able to learn his name.
At first, Grandpa Mo did not believe it. How could a newcomer solo-kill a Frost Giant Bull by himself?
But soon, Grandpa Mo thought of someone.
The last time he teased Old Lei, had not the young man beside him been using a T-1000 mech? Could a once-in-a-millennium genius truly have appeared?
Without another word, Grandpa Mo hurried over. His objective was clear: he wanted to poach the talent. Unfortunately, his plan had still fallen apart.
Standing to one side in agony, he could not understand how that good-for-nothing Old Lei had found such a genius!
As for Grandpa Lei, his grin was nearly splitting his face.
Who would have thought?
After tirelessly searching for promising newcomers, he had finally gotten results today. His efforts had not been in vain.
At that thought, Grandpa Lei swiftly pulled a small paper bag from his pocket and stuffed it into his old friend's hand.
Grandpa Mo looked at it. "Isn't this the one tael of tea I just gave you?"
"No, there are only seven qian left. I'm returning it to you now."
"What! You damn Old Lei, now that you have a good disciple, you're cutting ties with me?"
"No. I just wanted to say: I might be busy for the next few days and won't have time for you. Keep this tea and drink it slowly yourself."
The exact same words were thrown back at him. Grandpa Mo's face instantly darkened as he watched his old companion laugh wildly and leave with Xu Jiang.
Before you continue