Chapter Ninety-Two: You Have Taken a Fine Disciple

Maqi Yi had no idea that the old patriarch of the Kuang family thought he had mistreated his granddaughter. He had already listened to Maqi Lianhao recount everything that had happened over there, and the more he heard, the more he felt that he could not let that old fox Kuang Hongyi get away with it so easily.

Once he had made up his mind, he began speaking around Xuan Xuan at every turn, deliberately avoiding her name and saying only things about potions and the insect race, without so much as a word about her.

It was only after dinner, when Kuang Hongyi had gotten into the car to go home, that he finally remembered. He shot Kuang Shao a glare. "How did I forget about Xuan Xuan?"

"How should I know?" Kuang Shao said.

Kuang Hongyi launched into another round of scolding. "You idiot, why didn't you remind me?"

It was not entirely Kuang Hongyi's fault. Whether it was the potions or the insect race, neither was a trivial matter, and forgetting Xuan Xuan was understandable, because both issues concerned the future development, even the survival, of humankind.

Was it you who was foolish, or was it me? If you forgot, why blame me? Kuang Shao could only think this to himself. His mech was still a pile of parts on the ground. Though it had not been damaged, he did not think he could count on that little chubby girl. If he wanted his mech restored, he would still have to rely on his old man.

So Kuang Shao did not dare offend Kuang Hongyi. He could only endure the scolding and remain silent.

"From now on, you should keep closer ties with the Maqi family and the boy from the Zhan family. They have produced several fine sons, and they also have a wonderful granddaughter," Kuang Hongyi instructed after he had finished cursing.

Kuang Hongyi believed that his greatest skill was not making mechs, but reading people. The Kuang family had been handed down to him, yet he was not the sort of man with a gift for running a business. His whole heart was devoted to mechs. Although part of the reason the Kuang family had not declined under his watch was because of his mech-making, more importantly he had a pair of sharp eyes and knew how to judge people.

The Kuang family had not only avoided decline but even risen a little because he could recognize talent and use it well.

Otherwise, with a man like him who was not cut out for management, how could the Kuang family have grown more and more prosperous?

That was also why, the moment he saw Xuan Xuan dismantle a mech, he had to take her in as his apprentice.

"I used to think our family only needed to do business. I thought that as long as we did not get involved in politics, there would be no trouble. But I was naive. That is impossible. In their eyes, we are nothing but fat sheep waiting to be slaughtered. And you, stop wasting time as some mercenary. Go with the boy from the Zhan family and join the military," Kuang Hongyi sighed.

Kuang Shao was unusually silent.

Xuan Xuan had no idea that Kuang Shao had been scolded again because of her. She was full and content now, nestled in her papa's arms, listening to them talk.

She truly had not expected that these two little matters of hers could shock them so much.

"Kuang Hongyi's words are probably not false. I am afraid those energy stones really do affect the insect race. We should investigate this carefully," Maqi Yi said.

Maqi Lianhao said, "But this information came from Xuan Xuan's teacher. Father, where do you think she got it from?"

"Perhaps she has researched this sort of thing," Maqi Yi said. "Have Maqi Wu keep an eye on it. If he sees Xuan Xuan's teacher come online, let him notify you at once. Go and ask her. The impact of this matter is too great."

Apart from the Zhan family, only he knew how much energy those few energy stars contained. And if it truly was because of the energy stones, then it was very likely that the planets taken along with them had also been energy stars, only they had not yet been detected as such.

If that was the case, then just these energy sources alone accounted for nearly half of the entire Hua Star System.

Moreover, all of those planets were pure energy worlds, all rich, top-grade mineral planets.

Maqi Yi sighed, feeling that the pressure these days was truly growing heavier and heavier.

Maqi Lianhao nodded. Indeed, it was necessary to ask, and he also needed to tell her about the cooperation with the Kuang family.

"Why exactly did that old man from the Kuang family take a liking to Xuan Xuan and want to accept her as his disciple?" Maqi Yi said, taking Xuan Xuan from Maqi Lianhao's arms. Hadn't he spoiled her enough himself? To have her snatched away like that, what was the world coming to?

Maqi Lianhao gave a bitter smile and explained how he had gone into the reception room, only to come out and find that Xuan Xuan had dismantled the entire mech.

Maqi Yi's eyes widened. He lifted Xuan Xuan up and examined her carefully, but could not see anything unusual. He truly did not understand how Xuan Xuan, with such short arms and legs, had managed to take apart something so enormous to her.

And dismantling a mech was not supposed to be so simple, was it?

Taking it apart was one thing, but putting it back together again should not be a problem either.

Xuan Xuan felt that her grandfather was underestimating her far too much.

"Our Xuan Xuan is remarkable," Maqi Yi praised.

Xuan Xuan's expression was one of complete and natural acceptance.

Maqi Lianhao looked at Xuan Xuan and said, "If you keep praising her, she'll be flying to the heavens."

"Why shouldn't I praise her?" Maqi Yi said happily. Whether a family could prosper depended on the younger generation. He was old now, and he hoped Xuan Xuan and the others would amount to something.

"Then does Xuan Xuan still need to formally apprentice under the Kuang family?" Maqi Lianhao asked.

"Of course she does," Maqi Yi said. "Why wouldn't she? Such a good opportunity. Let her learn everything from that old Kuang fellow. See if he still dares boast that their mechs are better than ours."

Maqi Lianhao was speechless. His father really was becoming more and more like a child with age.

"Then why did you refuse today?"

"Because they came to steal my Xuan Xuan before I had even spoiled her enough?" Maqi Yi shot his son a glare. "With our Xuan Xuan's talent, it is only right that he imitate Liu Bei and make three visits to the thatched cottage."

Maqi Lianhao was at a loss for words. With a grandfather who doted on her so much, plus a master who adored her with such swagger, and then a mysterious teacher besides...

Why did he feel that he could not afford to offend his own daughter anymore?

Xuan Xuan, however, was delighted. She could learn mechs, and the Kuang family had food for her as well. Where else could she find such a wonderful thing?

Maqi Lianhao took Xuan Xuan back to her bedroom and asked her, "Does Xuan Xuan really want to learn mech construction? It will be very hard. Daddy does not expect you to be extraordinary. He only hopes you will be safe and well. I will not force you to learn anything."

Maqi Lianhao had no great demands of Xuan Xuan. He only hoped she could live happily and safely.

Xuan Xuan looked at her papa and said seriously, "Like it."

"Good, as long as you like it." Maqi Lianhao patted her head. If Xuan Xuan liked it, he would not stop her. Anything she liked, he would support wholeheartedly, except, of course, for the matter of eating meat.

Xuan Xuan nodded.

He put her into bed and kissed her forehead. "Get some rest early."

When Xuan Xuan saw her papa go out, she entered the star network. It was so late; she wondered whether the others were still waiting.

Xuan Xuan entered the Pearl Pavilion and saw that everyone was still there. She explained what had happened today to Elder Ji and the others, then went to find Maqi Wu. Estimating that her papa had probably already spoken about the insect race matter, she again told Maqi Wu about it in detail, confirming that it was indeed something she had said herself so that her papa could be at ease, before heading to Herb Star.

From far away, she saw Kuang Shao in a red robe teasing the illusion fox, with Zhan Yu standing nearby.

Kuang Shao was in a very good mood as he teased the illusion fox. He was liberated now. Although his mech had become a pile of parts, his old man was certain it could be restored.

Zhan Yu was not pleased at all. Why had Kuang Shao returned so early? Had his mech been repaired so quickly?

"Your mech is fixed?" Zhan Yu asked.

Kuang Shao's face darkened. "It has all turned into a pile of parts."

Hmm? Zhan Yu was about to ask more when he saw Xuan Xuan walking over in a white dress. He set down the tool he had been using and stepped forward, and the illusion fox, baring its teeth at Kuang Shao moments before, also ran to greet her.

The moment Kuang Shao saw Xuan Xuan, he thought of that little chubby girl, and then of his own mech turned into a heap of parts. "You took on a good disciple."

Zhan Yu glanced at Kuang Shao. When had she taken a disciple?

Xuan Xuan ignored him. He had been crying out as though the sky were falling just now, so why was he back on the star network already? It seemed he was not all that heartbroken over his mech after all.

"Just like a mold cast from the same form, you tear apart whatever you see," Kuang Shao said through gritted teeth, glaring at the girl before him with obvious displeasure.

This girl had once been eager to dismantle his Blazing Sun as well, and he had seen her here on Herb Star take apart countless simulation mechs and a great many real ones.

Xuan Xuan glared at him. She had not dismantled any of his things on the star network. It was only one mech anyway; she could always pay him back with another later. Then she glanced at Kuang Shao again and suddenly remembered that "she" was now "Xuan Xuan's" teacher. She gave a snort and said to him, "Mind your manners."

Kuang Shao was furious. "You say I lack manners?"

"You're in the same generation as my disciple now," Xuan Xuan reminded him.

Since the old man of their family had taken the little chubby girl as his disciple, was he not one generation younger than the girl before him? Kuang Shao's face flushed awkwardly red with embarrassment, then turned angry again, a lump of frustration stuck in his chest.

But Zhan Yu asked, "The Xuan Xuan from the Maqi family is your disciple?"

Xuan Xuan did not look at Zhan Yu. Lying in front of him made her uneasy, but she gave a slight nod all the same.

"Why have I never seen you bring her here?" Zhan Yu asked.

Xuan Xuan froze. She had not expected that question. Every time she came online, she had to come to Herb Star, and that made it impossible to explain why she had never brought "Xuan Xuan" over. But she could not become two people, either, so she could only say, "In a while."

Zhan Yu did not press further. Instead, he asked the sulking Kuang Shao, "Why did your old man take that little girl from the Maqi family as his disciple?"

At the mention of it, Kuang Shao ground his teeth again. He shot Xuan Xuan another glare before saying, "Otherwise, how do you think my mech ended up as a pile of parts?"

Xuan Xuan glanced at him. So what if I dismantled it? What can you do about it?

"That little girl from the Maqi family actually dismantled your mech?" Zhan Yu exclaimed. Xuan Xuan was only a little over six and not yet seven, and she already had that ability?

Kuang Shao nodded. "My old man took a fancy to that ability of hers and insisted on taking her as his disciple. He even ran to the Maqi family to meet Maqi Yi."

So it was true. If Kuang Hongyi had taken the little girl from the Maqi family as his disciple, then Kuang Shao really was one generation below Xuan Xuan. He had already been no match for Xuan Xuan before, and now it seemed there was even less hope.

Casting a sympathetic glance at Kuang Shao, Zhan Yu felt that Kuang Shao would have no chance of turning the tables in front of Xuan Xuan in this lifetime.

Second update of the day has arrived. Have you been waiting anxiously?