"In recognition of Yu Bu'e's bravery, which also prevented a more serious incident, the Night Watchers will award him fifty thousand yuan in cash!
"However, I must remind all of you: if you encounter a demon beast, get away immediately and notify the Night Watchers!"
Credit had to be given where it was due, but Wang Chi was genuinely afraid someone might imitate such dangerous behavior.
Standing onstage, Yu Bu'e watched the jealousy points constantly floating up over his classmates' heads and grinned so hard his face almost hurt!
This haul...
He was rocketing straight to the top!
Sure, he had only secured this award ceremony by shamelessly trying every trick he could think of.
But now, watching those huge numbers pour in, he felt it had all been worth it!
"Hey, Yu Bu'e, it's only fifty thousand yuan. Do you really need to grin like that?" Wang Chi whispered.
Yu Bu'e snapped out of it, struggled to rein in his smile, and continued with the ceremony.
Suddenly, Wang Chi noticed something and stared fixedly at his neck.
Those...
Were those all Meridian-Opening Pills?
As far as he knew, Yu Bu'e was an orphan whose parents had both died. His family certainly wasn't rolling in money.
That was precisely why he had tried to secure as much prize money as possible when submitting the application.
The commotion lasted throughout the entire award ceremony. The crowd never quieted down.
Practically every group chat at Yucheng No. 1 High School was discussing the incident, too, and that would continue for a long time.
Even after the ceremony ended, Wang Chi didn't hurry to leave. He exchanged pleasantries with the principal, then went to find Yu Bu'e, who was surrounded by a crowd of classmates.
The news that Yu Bu'e had helped the Night Watchers kill a Two-Stripe Demon Beast was simply too shocking.
Everyone was curious about the details.
"Yu Bu'e, shall we find somewhere to talk?"
Seeing Wang Chi approach, the gathered students dispersed for the moment.
Yu Bu'e breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling as though a weight had lifted.
Then he turned and said, "Wu Yang, head back first. I'll show Chi around campus."
He could tell Wang Chi probably had more to say to him.
"Sure!" Wu Yang nodded with a smile, then waved to Wang Chi in polite greeting.
Wang Chi abruptly asked, "You're Wu Yang?"
"Huh? Yes! You... you know me?"
"Hmph. You wish!"
"???" Wu Yang stared after Wang Chi as he walked away, rooted to the spot and scratching his head.
What... was this guy nuts? What had I ever done to him?
After walking some distance with Yu Bu'e, Wang Chi spoke again.
"Stay away from that chubby kid from now on. He's bad news!"
"Ha!" Yu Bu'e felt a little guilty. Knowing exactly what had happened, he could only offer a silent apology to Wu Yang for making him take the blame.
Wang Chi looked around, then immediately asked the question that concerned him most.
He pointed at Yu Bu'e's neck. "Where did you get all those Meridian-Opening Pills, kid?"
Yu Bu'e slapped his forehead. After a moment of nervousness, he quickly calmed down and grinned.
"Found them."
"..." Wang Chi had imagined plenty of answers, but never one so dismissive.
If you don't want to tell me, fine, but you won't even bother making up a better excuse?
Am I really not worth the effort?
"Then tell me where you found them."
"I'm not telling you. What if you stake out the place and pick them all up yourself?" Yu Bu'e said solemnly.
"..." Wang Chi stared at Yu Bu'e. That innocent face actually made him laugh in exasperation.
"Forget it. If you don't want to tell me, don't." Wang Chi's smile vanished, and his expression turned serious again. "But put those away properly. Even one Meridian-Opening Pill is worth a lot of money, and yours look good. They could attract trouble."
Yu Bu'e immediately put on an obedient expression. Taking the advice to heart, he removed the string of Meridian-Opening Pills from his neck and casually stuffed it into his pocket.
"You're... really wasting good stuff here..." Wang Chi didn't quite know what expression to make.
Yu Bu'e thought for a moment, reached into his pocket, and pulled one pill off the string. Gritting his teeth against the heartache, he held it out to Wang Chi.
"Chi, if you like them, how about I give you one?" He wasn't someone who played the generous host when he couldn't afford it, but the award ceremony Wang Chi had helped arrange had earned him far too many jealousy points.
His gratitude toward Wang Chi was sincere.
Wang Chi glanced at him, taking in every change in his expression, then smiled and waved him off. "Forget it. What would I need that for? It's not like I haven't taken one before."
He had actually considered accepting it just to tease him, then giving it back.
But boys his age were at their most emotionally sensitive. Considering Yu Bu'e's unusual family circumstances and life experiences, he decided against it.
"Anyway, you really helped me out this time, and you did the Fish City Night Watchers a huge favor, too. Without you, the consequences might have been unthinkable."
Changing the subject, Wang Chi continued, "Our captain said the award ceremony and prize money are nothing. If you have any requests, just ask, as long as they're within the Fish City Night Watchers' power."
Yu Bu'e's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"Really, as long as it isn't illegal or against public order and common decency..."
Yu Bu'e immediately said, "I want to join the Demon-Slaying Army! Can you send me there right now?"
Wang Chi was thankful he hadn't been drinking water, or he would have spat it out.
His eyes widened. "Don't be ridiculous! How old are you? Besides, with your current strength, wouldn't you just be going there to die?
"On top of that, the Demon-Slaying Army and the Night Watchers are separate organizations. I don't have that kind of pull!"
Disappointed, Yu Bu'e could only settle for his second choice.
"Then get me guaranteed admission to the Martial Arts Academy."
Although he had already opened eleven spiritual meridians, there was always a chance something could go wrong. Since an opportunity was right in front of him, he naturally had to seize it.
"Well... that won't work either. The Martial Arts Academy is separate from us, too."
Wang Chi smiled awkwardly. "Besides, their assessments have always been fair and transparent. Even the deputy prefect of the Fish City Night Watchers can't interfere."
Yu Bu'e sighed. "Chi, the Fish City Night Watchers really can't do much, huh?"
"..."
"No, that's not... ahem. I mean, there doesn't seem to be much within our power, does there?"
"That's enough! Not another word!" Wang Chi's face turned red.
He had already made the offer, only to shoot down every request Yu Bu'e raised. It was rather embarrassing...
"Think it over some more. Nothing too outrageous..."
Yu Bu'e considered it seriously for a moment. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and a bold idea popped into his head.
"Chi, I'd like to borrow something from you guys."
Hearing that, Wang Chi breathed a sigh of relief. He was just about to agree outright when he remembered how outrageous Yu Bu'e could be. Out of caution, he asked, "What do you want to borrow?"
"Have you burned the demon beast I killed earlier?"
"No, we haven't."
"Is the body still there?"
Wang Chi's eyelid twitched. He had a vague suspicion, but found it hard to believe. Still clinging to hope, he asked, "What are you planning to do?"
Yu Bu'e flashed a toothy grin. "I'd like to borrow the demon beast's body. Don't worry, it's just a loan. I'll return it very soon!"
Wang Chi's scalp tingled.
In all his life, he had never heard such a bizarre request!
"What's wrong? Is that off-limits, too?" Yu Bu'e sighed. "It's fine if it is. Let's just forget it, then. I don't have any other requests. It was what I ought to have done anyway..."
"Fine! I'll agree for now!" Hearing Yu Bu'e say that, and remembering how he had rejected him time after time, Wang Chi gritted his teeth. "But I still need to check with the captain. Wait until you hear from me."
Yu Bu'e narrowed his eyes and smiled faintly.
Before you continue