C7 Slap Print(2)

"Click, click, click..." The sound of bystanders snapping photos with their phones sent Liu Feng into a state of panic, terror, and rage.

Liu Feng was livid! He quickly covered his face with his hands, thinking, "If you capture my valiant and formidable image, it's all over. Jixledo is so small; you can't avoid anyone. If you post those pictures, I'll be the joke of the town!"

"Boom!" A fireball erupted, scattering flames and turning the faces of the onlookers ghostly white with fear.

"Stop taking pictures of me! What are you even taking pictures of?"

The photographer, now sullen, put away his phone.

"The world's morals are declining; people aren't as principled as they once were," an old Taoist remarked, witnessing the scene.

"Ah, what a pity. But I must admit, I'm a bit envious of this young man," an elderly gentleman said, eyeing the blood-red mark on Liu Feng's face. They had all been through similar experiences; they understood.

A curious grandson asked, "Grandpa, why is that pretty lady chasing after that guy?"

"You're too young to understand. But from my years of experience, it's likely they didn't take proper precautions. They've given you a lesson today: safety comes first!"

"Ah, I get it now. I'll remember that, Grandpa!"

And so, the world gained another scoundrel.

...

In the Liu Yard, Liu Guo was crafting a dark weapon. A pitch-black sword emerged from the fiery forge, its surface etched with runes that emitted a blinding glow, giving the impression of a demon god's descent.

Lan Rou felt an overwhelming demonic presence from her room, so sudden and pervasive. She stealthily poked her head out to see a Demon Sword casting a chilling light, its sinister radiance reflecting off the blade, sending shivers down her spine. It was a tremor that seemed to originate from her soul, a profound alarm as if the object was not of this world but from a higher plane.

"What is this?" Lan Rou asked, her curiosity piqued by the dark weapon, its aura so formidable it was almost suffocating.

"Do you remember that piece of Shadowiron I found a while back? I was going to sell it, but Liu Chuang told me it was Sky-Forged Iron. We decided to keep it," Liu Guo reminisced.

Years ago, Liu Guo had intended to craft a weapon for his eldest son, Liu Chuang, but he declined. He confessed that he wasn't particularly inclined toward combat and had a feeling that Liu Feng would be better suited for the piece of meteoric iron. "Let's save it for Liu Feng," he suggested.

Liu Guo recognized that Liu Chuang was using this as an excuse to leave a protective charm for his younger brother. He didn't voice his thoughts, though. Liu Chuang's mastery of sorcery provided him with a measure of safety, allowing him to attract good fortune and avert calamity. Liu Feng, on the other hand, whose magical affinities were still unknown, was in greater need of a weapon for protection.

A dark weapon is what arcanists wield in battle, and even the most basic models fetch exorbitant prices. The piece of Sky-Forged Iron Liu Guo had found was beyond valuation. He had once covertly taken it to the Arcane Guild for appraisal. No one could determine its quality, but they all agreed it was worth a fortune.

"Is this for Liu Feng?" Lan Rou asked, her gaze sharp and threatening. She gave Liu Guo a piercing look that seemed to say, 'dare to contradict me, and you'll regret it.'

"Yes, it is," Liu Guo replied, catching the warning in her eyes. Her normally gentle eyes now bore the intensity of daggers, sending a shiver down his spine as he hastened to confirm. Lan Rou, ever protective of her son, was eager to lavish him with the finest things. But it was of no consequence; the weapon was indeed meant for Liu Feng.

"This Demon Sword will need further refinement in the future; Liu Feng isn't ready to wield it yet," Liu Guo remarked as he carefully placed the Demon Sword into a box.

"Mhm," Lan Rou nodded, visibly pleased.

Just then, Liu Feng rushed into the house, his hand covering his face. As he passed his parents, he announced, "I'm off to my room to practice my cultivation."

Lan Rou and Liu Guo exchanged a look, sensing something amiss. Why was Liu Feng covering his face?

Before they could inquire, a woman with a delicate, snow-like complexion burst in.

"Who might you be?" Lan Rou and Liu Guo inquired cautiously.

"Oh, I'm Liu Feng's teacher, Zhuang Qiushuo," she introduced herself, surveying the couple before her. Noticing the resemblance between the middle-aged man and Liu Feng, she realized she was in the presence of his parents. Her expression swiftly shifted from one of hormonal imbalance to a radiant smile.

"I'm Lan Rou, Liu Feng's mother. Has Feng done something wrong at school? He's always been quite the handful since he was little." Lan Rou said to Zhuang Qiushuo, a hint of embarrassment in her voice as she offered an awkward smile.

Liu Feng must have stirred up trouble again. He was covering his face earlier, and now a female teacher shows up? Oh no, don't tell me... Liu Feng, my son, has managed to charm a teacher? I'll have to ask him about this later.

If Liu Feng knew what his mother was thinking, he'd be in tears. Doesn't she care at all?

"No... No," Zhuang Qiushuo managed to say, forcing a smile while internally she was fuming. Your son groped me, and you expect me to just say it out loud?

"So, Ms. Zhuang, what brings you here?"

"Oh, well, I've come for a home visit," Zhuang Qiushuo quickly improvised.

"Ah, just in time for dinner. Please, join us for a meal," Lan Rou said, not waiting for a response before ushering Zhuang Qiushuo into the house.

Liu Guo seized the moment to conceal the box containing the Demon Sword. Teacher or rumored girlfriend, nothing was more important than this treasure.

"Feng, come eat."

"No thanks, I'm busy cultivating," Liu Feng declined outright. As if he'd sit down to eat with Zhuang Qiushuo. In his dreams.

...

During the meal, Lan Rou covertly used a low-level light arcane technique — the Sacred Eye — and glimpsed into Liu Feng's room. There he was, seated cross-legged on the bed, his usually handsome face marred by two perfectly symmetrical, harmonious palm prints. The delicate marks resembled blood-red lotuses in bloom, evoking the image of slender, jade-like fingers, a natural masterpiece that seemed otherworldly.

While she felt a pang of sympathy for Feng, she also thought him foolish. Why resort to force? It was beneath him.

The Sacred Eye technique involved using light arcane to allow infrared light to pass through while blocking visible light, creating a kind of x-ray vision.

Of course, this was only possible if there was no arcanist's Magicka obstructing the view. Unbeknownst to Liu Feng, his mother had spied on him, and he was left to stew in his own bitterness. How could this female teacher be so violent? Her blows were merciless, her heart as toxic as a serpent's venom — indeed, a woman's scorn knows no bounds.

This meal was without a doubt the most awkward Zhuang Qiushuo had ever experienced. Liu Guo was quietly focused on his food, contemplating ways to enhance the Demon Sword, while Lan Rou watched him with a smile, her gaze reminiscent of someone admiring their future daughter-in-law.