Chapter 33: You Treat Me as a Noble
Walking out of Xu Bo's office, Li Yuan didn't rush to the cafeteria for dinner. Instead, he first returned to the elite building, to the 4011 martial arts room.
After waiting for a while, he calculated the time and called his uncle, Li Changzhou, for a video call.
Soon enough, the video call connected, and Li Changzhou was eating.
"Uncle," Li Yuan began.
"Little Yuan, why are you calling me suddenly?" Li Changzhou asked, smiling as he ate. "Have you had dinner?"
"Not yet," Li Yuan shook his head. "Uncle, listen, I have something important to tell you..."
Quickly, Li Yuan explained everything that happened that afternoon to his uncle and sent him the B-level contract file.
At first, Li Changzhou listened while eating, but soon he put down his chopsticks and seriously reviewed the document. Occasionally, he would ask for more details and then fall into deep thought.
When Li Yuan finished explaining everything, he said hesitantly, "Uncle, I was planning to call you tonight, but I feel like it might be better to make a decision sooner."
"That's right. You're thinking correctly," Li Changzhou said, looking at Li Yuan with admiration. "This matter should indeed be decided sooner. You should go to your teacher, Xu Bo, and tell him that you have decided to sign with the Starlight Martial Hall."
"Once your teacher agrees, immediately inform Hall Master Wan that you are very satisfied with the B-level contract and are willing to sign it at any time, even tonight," Li Changzhou said firmly.
"Right now? Tonight?" Li Yuan was a bit stunned by his uncle's decisive attitude. He remembered his uncle advising him to compare offers before.
Seeing Li Yuan's confusion, Li Changzhou patiently explained, "Little Yuan, you have good language skills. Do you remember an old saying?"
"Those who treat me as a noble, I will repay as a noble; those who treat me as a commoner, I will repay as a commoner."
"With your principal and teacher vouching for you, I believe they wouldn't deceive a kid like you."
Li Changzhou looked at Li Yuan through the video. "Moreover, the Starry Sky Martial Hall controls the Starry Sky Fighting Network. I know a bit about it, but I didn't realize your mental strength talent... I was only a level 12 martial artist back then, and I can't even be considered a true martial artist now, so there are many things I don't understand."
Li Yuan listened intently. Although his uncle's martial artist level wasn't high, he had a clear understanding of many things.
"In this matter, the Starry Sky Martial Hall has not been sincere with you," Li Changzhou shook his head. "Your Uncle Zhong is a good person, but it's normal for him to have his own interests... everyone has to live."
Li Yuan nodded slightly. He didn't blame Uncle Zhong. He wasn't a high-ranking member of the martial hall and didn't have decision-making power.
"But this Hall Master Wan has shown you the greatest sincerity, even willing to sponsor you personally," Li Changzhou said seriously. "If we wait for the Martial Arts Bureau and the Starry Sky Martial Hall's offers, it will make us seem greedy."
"Sometimes, benefits are important. But sometimes, you need to stay true to your heart," Li Changzhou said. "Especially since you are about to embark on the path of martial arts."
"Remember this: a martial artist values a clear conscience."
"A clear conscience," Li Yuan nodded, silently noting it down.
"You should accept the offer," Li Changzhou continued. "Not just Hall Master Wan, but your teacher Xu Bo and even Principal Tan will think you are decisive and sincere."
"You might not care about this when you become powerful in the future. You might not get immediate benefits. But reputation matters in the long run. When you venture into the astral realms, having a good reputation among martial artists could save your life in critical moments," Li Changzhou advised.
"I understand," Li Yuan nodded firmly.
Since middle school, especially in high school, his uncle had often imparted life lessons through small matters.
"Alright, go ahead. I'll inform your aunt. If you need to sign the contract tonight, I'll ask her to come over," Li Changzhou said.
His uncle and aunt were Li Yuan's guardians.
"Okay," Li Yuan nodded.
Ending the video call, Li Yuan went straight to Xu Bo's office without eating dinner and knocked on the door.
"Come in," a deep voice sounded.
Opening the door, Li Yuan said directly, "Teacher Xu, I just talked with my family. My uncle and I are willing to sign with the Starlight Martial Hall."
"I'll inform Hall Master Wan now if you think it's appropriate," Li Yuan got straight to the point.
"You want to sign now?" Xu Bo's eyes flashed with surprise. "You're not waiting for the Martial Arts Bureau's offer?"
"No," Li Yuan shook his head. "My family and I are very satisfied with Hall Master Wan's offer and see no need to wait."
"We're ready to sign anytime, even tonight," Li Yuan added.
"Haha, very well," Xu Bo's cold face showed a rare smile. "You made the right decision. I'll call Hall Master Wan right away. He probably hasn't reached home yet."
"Remember, don't speak," Xu Bo advised.
Li Yuan nodded.
Immediately, Xu Bo called Hall Master Wan in front of Li Yuan.
The light condensed into a projection as the call connected.
"Old Wan," Xu Bo smiled.
"Iron Tower, what's up?" Palace Master Wan, sitting in his car, replied with a hint of a smile.
From Hall Master Wan's perspective, he couldn't see Li Yuan.
"Good news for you," Xu Bo smiled. "Just now, Li Yuan talked with his uncle and aunt. Initially, they wanted to wait and see the Martial Arts Bureau's offer, but Li Yuan, being sensible, persuaded his family and agreed to sign with your Starlight Martial Hall."
"The contract terms you proposed are acceptable without any additional conditions."
"When would be a good time to sign? Tonight or tomorrow?" Xu Bo asked with a smile.
"So quickly decided?" Hall Master Wan was a bit surprised but smiled even more. "Good, I knew I wasn't wrong about him."
"Since this young man trusts me."
"Alright, the contract terms remain unchanged," Hall Master Wan thought for a moment. "I'll personally sponsor him an additional one million Blue Star coins and give him another one million points."
"Haha, as expected from a palace master, so generous," Xu Bo laughed. "A million points are worth as much as a million Blue Star coins outside."
"You praised this young man highly before I left. If you, Iron Tower, think highly of him, I trust you," Hall Master Wan smiled faintly. "Besides, you know these points are of little use to me. Giving them away costs me nothing."
"Good. I thank you on Li Yuan's behalf," Xu Bo laughed. "Don't worry, this young man is grateful and won't disappoint you."
Hall Master Wan smiled.
"I have a dinner appointment tonight... let's sign the contract tomorrow at ten in the morning," Hall Master Wan decided. "Give your student a half-day off, no problem, right?"
"No problem," Xu Bo laughed.
They ended the call.
"Li Yuan, you heard it all," Xu Bo said, looking at Li Yuan with a smile. "Points are used within the Starlight Martial Hall and can be exchanged for many good things. One million points are worth as much as a million Blue Star coins."
"Thank you, teacher," Li Yuan said sincerely. He had listened to the conversation. Without Xu Bo's deliberate praise, he wouldn't have received this extra benefit.
"Thank me for what? A teacher should always think of their students," Xu Bo waved his hand with a smile. "Otherwise, why would I be a teacher?"
"Helping you also depends on your ability," Xu Bo smiled. "You haven't eaten yet, right? Go have dinner."
"We'll sign the contract tomorrow. Come to school first, and I'll go with you."