Glorious God Throne

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When they saw Shi Cheng again, it had already been over a month.

Everyone, including Xue Hao and the others, was shocked to see their companion bouncing back so energetically.

They were both surprised and curious – amazed that he actually came back, and wondering why that mysterious extraordinary had taken an interest in him.

“I’ve thought about it many times, but I can’t figure out what’s so special about you. How did you end up with the plot of being instantly accepted as a disciple by a mysterious master?” Xue Hao bluntly criticized. “Is it because of your severe chuunibyou?”

Shi Cheng chuckled. “Well, I wasn’t actually taken as a disciple. But I did learn quite a bit from Teacher Joey.” Even though he had only been fortunate enough to follow him for about a month.

“As for what he saw in me…”

“To be honest, I don’t know either.”

He joked self-deprecatingly, “Maybe it’s because I’m particularly efficient at washing vegetables, chopping them, and cleaning up the scene to destroy evidence?”

Xue Hao and the others: “???!!!”

Seeing his companions’ horrified expressions, Shi Cheng frantically waved his hands. “Don’t take it seriously, I’m just joking!”

He definitely didn’t want to be taken to the Special Case Investigation Team’s interrogation room for questioning just because of a silly joke.

Although he was internally reluctant, Shi Cheng eventually ended up having tea with the Investigation Team, albeit after being very politely invited. After all, how could the Investigation Team, which was constantly monitoring the situation, not be aware of Shi Cheng’s return?

They had too many questions that urgently needed his answers.

Shi Cheng didn’t hide anything. He had anticipated being questioned by the Investigation Team and had asked Joey beforehand what he should and shouldn’t say. Joey’s response had been that it didn’t matter.

Therefore, Shi Cheng didn’t care either.

Compared to joking around with his companions, his attitude became much more serious when facing the Investigation Team’s questions.

“Actually, the true situation was…”

Shi Cheng’s mind drifted slightly as his memory returned to that day.

That must have been the biggest turning point in his destiny—

When he woke up from that illusory beautiful dream and realized he was temporarily safe, the first feelings that surged in Shi Cheng’s heart weren’t tension or fear, nor relief or joy, but rather a deep sense of unwillingness and loss.

The arrival of Joey, the mysterious extraordinary, had seemingly plunged everyone into an illusory dream. But the more omnipotent he had been in the dream, the more powerless he felt upon waking to reality!

When surrounded by the kidnappers, all he could do was place his hopes on the Ji siblings, An Xiaoxi, and the yet-to-arrive Investigation Team’s rescue. The only thing he could do was try not to become a hostage and burden them.

This fact was a huge shock to Shi Cheng.

In a sense, he had believed in the extraordinary aspects of this world since childhood and had always yearned to uncover the truth of the real world. To others, he might have appeared to be an adult still trapped in chuunibyou fantasies. But unlike most people who merely daydreamed, he had taken action – teaching himself numerous Taoist classics and ancient texts, mastering knowledge that he didn’t really need to know… He should have been proud of accomplishing all this.

Indeed, Shi Cheng had always harbored an overly chuunibyou notion that “I am different.” He seemed to have possessed self-confidence and self-esteem far beyond ordinary people since childhood, though it was hidden behind his eccentric behavior.

But now, reality proved that not only was he not the protagonist who saved everyone in crucial moments, he was instead the burden who held others back. This undoubtedly dealt a massive blow to his self-esteem and confidence, making him deeply unwilling to accept it.

Especially since times had changed…

Extraordinary opportunities had appeared before everyone. The Ji siblings, Ji Heng and Ji Nian, were prime examples of those lucky enough to receive miraculous encounters. Even An Xiaoxi, an ordinary person, had performed a “transformation” right in front of him. Yet he alone was left outside the door, still forced to remain an ordinary mortal. How could he possibly accept this!

Continuing like this, Shi Cheng had already foreseen his hopeless future…

The moment he woke from the dream, an overwhelming sense of disparity enveloped him, nearly driving him to despair.

Until he saw Joey’s departing figure.

— This was undoubtedly an extraordinarily powerful being beyond imagination. While others only saw the terrifying way he made the criminals kill each other without batting an eye, Shi Cheng saw his power and mystery.

In a flash of inspiration, before Shi Cheng could even process his own thoughts, an intense obsession of not being content with living an ordinary life drove his actions—

He chased after Joey without hesitation!

Forgetting how dangerous the other party was, forgetting the fact that they were complete strangers, and temporarily forgetting about his companions and the criminals still in the collection room, his instincts told him this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that would never come again!

Even thinking back later, Shi Cheng didn’t know what had possessed him. He had instinctively followed behind that person, and the moment Joey turned around, he shouted without hesitation: “—Please take me as your disciple!”

After saying those words, his mind went blank.

Until he heard another voice speaking above him.

“Interesting. Aren’t you afraid?”

Instead of being angry at his rash behavior, the voice carried a hint of curiosity and surprise. There was hope!

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In an instant, Shi Cheng forcibly pushed aside all other emotions. Realizing he actually had a chance, he perked up as if injected with adrenaline, entering what his friends had often criticized as his “chuunibyou mode.”

“Fear is an emotion for the weak. The strong fear nothing!” He straightened his back and gazed at Joey determinedly, surely looking like an enthusiastic young man full of dreams – exactly the type of disciple any teacher would want to take on, right?

“…Strong? You?”

That doubtful tone… This was bad, perhaps his performance wasn’t sincere enough, not passionate enough to move hearts? No, he had to touch Teacher Joey’s heart with an even more sincere attitude!

“Cough, true strength comes from within. I’ve waited twenty-six years for this day, tempered my spirit for twenty-six years. You must be my destined teacher!”

His eyes blazed with sincere intensity, and he was nearly prostrating himself. “Please accept me! I’ll do anything you need. Whether it’s finding lost items, or cleaning up and destroying evidence after you eliminate their current owners, such trivial matters can all be left to me!”

“…You seem to have said something rather concerning.”

His attitude was softening – there really was hope!

Shi Cheng immediately put on a (profound face). “If one wishes to obtain extraordinary power, this level of resolution is the least I possess.”

Although Joey could tell Shi Cheng was being theatrical, he didn’t care about such things and wasn’t affected by his chuunibyou speech, let alone feeling embarrassed for him. Joey responded flatly.

“If I’m not mistaken, extraordinary power isn’t just a fantasy for you – everyone in this country has a chance, right? The path of martial arts cultivation has already been laid before you all.”

“…But it rejected me.”

Hearing this, the pale-faced young man with long hair finally raised an eyebrow slightly, as if recalling something.

“Oh, that reminds me of someone,” he murmured in surprise. “So, you plan to take a different path?”

“No, I must force my way in no matter what.”

Shi Cheng gritted his teeth, looking fierce. His expression looked less like someone who had determined their goal and more like someone about to start a gang fight.

Joey: “???”

Shi Cheng: “As they say, ‘doing what you know can’t be done,’ ‘forcing one’s way through,’ ‘a toad insisting on eating swan meat,’ ‘breaking through the south wall to forge a path’ – this is the resolution of the strong!”

He delivered these rather questionable lines with an incredibly passionate expression.

Is that really how “doing what you know can’t be done” is supposed to be used…?

“Huh?” Joey’s usually unperturbed face couldn’t help but show traces of bewilderment. He made a short sound in his throat before his tone returned to calmness, “Then you might have found the wrong person. I’m just an art enthusiast who can’t even tie up a chicken.”

Shi Cheng’s expression changed in an instant. “No, no, no, you are definitely the teacher I’ve waited years for. Mere martial arts are nothing compared to your power. I’ll forget all about them right now. From meeting you onwards, your power is what I pursue!”

So this is your resolution of the strong? Just this? Really? Did it even last a minute? Bai Yi, within the disguise, criticized frantically.

Joey stared at the young man before him for several seconds, seeing only genuine admiration and sincerity. He suddenly smiled slowly. “Your eyes don’t look like someone who’s given up on martial arts. Are you trying to find an alternative path? I’m actually getting somewhat intrigued.”

Shi Cheng was instantly stunned, his presence weakening immediately.

…Was, was he seen through?

Once he started feeling self-conscious and embarrassed, his smooth chuunibyou state popped like a balloon. His gaze became shifty, and after a moment of hesitation, he frankly admitted. “Cough, you’re truly perceptive. I indeed can’t bear to give up martial arts. Why should I accept that I can’t practice just because they decided I have no talent? I’m sure I can find a way… That’s basically what I’m thinking?”

In other words, even if Joey agreed to his impulsive request and gave him a chance to access another type of extraordinary power, he still wouldn’t give up trying martial arts. Anyone who knew this would think he was being ridiculous, right?

Especially such a dangerous extraordinary – if Joey felt that Shi Cheng looked down on his path or suspected him of having ulterior motives from the start, being rejected would be the best outcome. Worse, he might be done for right then and there?

Shi Cheng had completely given up hope.

He lowered his head.

But Joey’s response was unexpected.

“Ah, I understand completely.” Under the flowing black hair, that pale face that seemed to have walked out of an oil painting suddenly bloomed with an indescribable smile. “…Having absolutely no talent, yet insisting on forcibly taking an unsuitable path, wanting to surpass those so-called talented ones as a mediocre person deemed to have no aptitude, to be acknowledged, looked up to, followed by those who come after… Such thoughts are completely understandable.”

—Because that was exactly what he himself had done!

****

[…The moment he understood Shi Cheng’s thoughts, Joey, who had initially viewed this impulsive wannabe disciple as just another ordinary person seeking extraordinary power and had no interest, suddenly felt a hint of anticipation.]

[This person’s obsession with martial arts had moved him slightly.]

[Some people, when rejected by an unsuitable door, would simply melt that door and create a new one. Some would stubbornly insist on pushing through that door no matter what, proving all judgments of unsuitability wrong. And some would not only persist stubbornly but even forcibly twist that door into their own shape.]

[Pei Hefeng was the first type, Shi Cheng was the second. And Joey was undoubtedly the last type.]

[Despite having no talent whatsoever and being deemed incapable of becoming an artist, he had never thought of giving up. Even if it meant using “unorthodox methods” and taking a completely non-mainstream path of “depression,” even destroying the dreams of many traditional artists’ hearts, the end result was that he had succeeded.]

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[Using his alternative depressive art, he had claimed the divine title that all artists dreamed of, and even forcibly carved out a new, twisted branch on the existing path, making those people acknowledge and even learn his depressive art, no matter how much they disliked it or were unwilling to accept it.]

[…And Shi Cheng’s stubborn persistence with martial arts, while appearing thick-headed to others, happened to match Joey’s taste perfectly. Perhaps this was a case of one obsessive person recognizing another?]

[He decided to keep this interesting person by his side temporarily, to see just how far they could go. If they could meet his expectations, offering some guidance wouldn’t be out of the question.]

In a place hidden from Shi Cheng’s view, the black Puppet Master’s diary pages fluttered, as someone wrote a new script stroke by stroke.

“Well, I suppose this fits Joey’s character setting.”

Bai Yi indicated that he always stayed true to his alternate identity’s character setting.

“…Perfect, since Joey’s personality would never allow him to actively engage with officials or reveal information, we can use this volunteer who came knocking as a bridge to spread some appropriate information.”

“…Letting them investigate on their own would be far too slow.”

****

Meanwhile, under Shi Cheng’s surprised and delighted gaze, the long-haired young man turned around again, his voice floating gently.

“As it happens, I’m not yet very familiar with the current world. Having someone run errands for me might speed up the collection recovery process.”

“Come along. Let me see what you’re capable of, for now.”

……

“…And that’s how I was fortunate enough to be temporarily taken in by Teacher Joey. Although he doesn’t acknowledge being my teacher.”

Finally, Shi Cheng shrugged and concluded with this single sentence.

The Investigation Team’s bright lights shone on his face, which showed slight reluctance.

“As for what happened in the month after that…”

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