Although I've sorted out all the details, Shi Wen still has the cheating technique that Le Yin needs, and Shi Wen still has a chance to humiliate him.

Just like a female teacher hoping the principal will recommend her for a promotion, the positions of both sides are not equal.

Is the only option to lose face?

No!

In this world, if Blue Flame can make me feel defeated, then can a mere brat try to climb over my head?

After pondering for a moment, Le Yuxin suddenly asked, "Shi Wen, why aren't you a student at the Imperial Academy?"

Shi Wen's eyebrows twitched incessantly, and he replied coldly, "Since you have read through that piece of information, don't you think you should show me a bit of respect, for instance—calling me Mr. Shi Wen?"

"Do you remember what I said in class?" Le Yuxin chuckled, "A person can escape all the demons in this world, except for one that no one can ever avoid—that's the cowardice within their own heart."

"Being able to defeat all those who didn't cheat in the Eye of Omniscience exam just by your skills must bring you a sense of superiority of 'I'm the most knowledgeable at the Imperial Academy', making you willing to take the exam even without earning credits, isn't that right?"

Le Yuxin asserted, "The motivation that drives you to diligently study in the white box is rooted in a desire to surpass all other Imperial Academy students in some particular field, to become number one, and to rise above others. Of course, this kind of motivation is commendable, much better than those who are willing to be mere loafers or dead weights."

"But beyond this, you want to prove yourself—even more so because you're not an Imperial Academy student, you strive to perform better than the Imperial Academy students everywhere."

"You wish to prove that the Imperial Academy students aren't extraordinary; even though you aren't one of them, you can be even more remarkable than they are."

"My previous assessment was incorrect; your self-esteem isn't solely reliant on others' fear or disdain, it's built upon a foundation of shame—this shame of not being an Imperial Academy student can only be alleviated by gaining superiority over the Imperial Academy students."

Halfway through Le Yuxin's speech, Shi Wen's expression had already turned dark as ink. He remained silent, no longer arrogant and brazen, staring intently at Le Yuxin like a menacing wolf.

Cha Shiyin watched their exchange with a smile.

Kui Nianruo subconsciously took a step back, feeling a bit like leaving this room, but now any movement to leave would be too noticeable.

She could even sense Shi Wen's silent fury—different from any other kind of anger, having every ostentatious facade stripped away, and having one's entire psyche, every thought, every desire dissected, analyzed, scrutinized.

No privacy remains.

Self-esteem is thoroughly trampled into the mud.

How could he not be brewing a cup of poisonous anger deep within his heart?

Moreover, his rage is not only directed at Le Yuxin, but also at himself—why is he so easily seen through? Why can't he eliminate everyone who hears his secrets? Why is he so... incompetent?

"Seems like your silence acknowledges my evaluation."

Le Yuxin said, "Then, why haven't you turned around and left, cursed me as blind, and gone off to seek another Radiant Celestial Maiden to indirectly retaliate against me?"

"Because not only do I need you, but you also need me."

"You don't need money; wearing training clothes doesn't mean you're poor, it just shows you're careless about your appearance. From selling Eye of Omniscience materials alone, you show some business acumen, though a bit immature."

"Then, apart from money, what other resources can I trade with you?"

Le Yuxin crossed his legs and placed his hands on his chest, adopting a confident posture, "Mr. Shi Wen, although this isn't my classroom, the positions of host and guest haven't changed."

"State your demands, I'll try to fulfill your wishes."

Shi Wen's body trembled slightly, he took a deep breath and said with a dark expression, "Le Yin, I can join you all, help you cheat, but in return—"

Le Yuxin interrupted, "Hey, hey, aren't you using honorifics?"

Shi Wen twitched his lips, forcibly suppressing his irritation, relaxed and said, "Mr. Le, as the price for cooperation, you need to teach me Combat Technique."

"Combat Technique..." Le Yuxin nodded, "So, you wish to take me as your mentor?"

"..." Shi Wen vaguely sensed something amiss, but he could only nod, "Yes."

"Then the words you use shouldn't be 'you need to teach me Combat Technique.'" Le Yuxin tilted his head towards Cha Shiyin, "What's the phrasing for taking someone as a mentor?"

"At the very least, you should use the word 'please', right?" Cha Shiyin shrugged his shoulders.

"Le Yin!" Shi Wen erupted, "Do you believe I—"

"I believe." Le Yuxin extended his hand, "Then you should leave."

Shi Wen was slightly taken aback, then immediately turned to leave. Le Yuxin said faintly, "Following your anger and acting on impulse may feel gratifying, but in this case, your revenge is against yourself, not me — if you had any better options, you wouldn't pay me a second's heed."

"I just want to be sure you're a partner worth cooperating with, a student worth teaching, and not just a roaring beast. Learning to respect people isn't that hard, Shi Wen. Don't let your ugly pride blind you."

Shi Wen stopped in his tracks, turned with difficulty to look at Le Yuxin.

Qu Nianruo was desperately pressing himself against the wall, trying to lower his presence while widening his eyes to etch this scene into memory. Wasn't it supposed to be Mr. Qin asking Shi Wen for help? How did the situation reverse, making it seem like Shi Wen was pleading with Mr. Qin?

Shi Wen was silent for a while and finally spoke, "Mr. Qin, please teach me Combat Technique."

"Hmm..." Le Yuxin rested his chin in thought, "Still a bit lacking."

"I also feel it's a bit lacking," Cha Shiyin teased from the side.

"What's missing?" Shi Wen's face, which had finally eased, darkened again.

"Oh, in my hometown Dongyang, apprentices always kneel. It's an excellent tradition over there..."

Shi Wen was about to lose his temper, "You—"

"I truly don't mean to insult you, Mr. Shi Wen," Le Yuxin said calmly, "What purpose would insulting you serve? I'm not someone who enjoys making a fool of others."

"I ask you to perform the apprentice kneeling ceremony merely as a show of attitude. I'm not someone who easily accepts disciples; you wouldn't want me to treat you half-heartedly while you learn Combat Technique from me, right?"

"But reflecting on it, our two encounters have not been pleasant. To bridge the gap between us, and for me to fully and openly impart all my lifetime's knowledge to you, the kneeling ceremony is a trivial test but can become a bridge of trust between us in the future."

"After all, mastering Combat Technique over many years wasn't easy, and if you want to be my disciple, you should at least show me your attitude."

"Furthermore, my friends always require the kneeling ceremony when accepting apprentices. If people ask, and you haven't knelt, wouldn't I lose face? Face is mutual; you respect me now, and I will respect you in the future."

"In the future, we'll be closely intertwined as master and apprentice; are you unwilling even to perform this superficial kneeling ceremony?"

Under Le Yuxin's sincere advice, Shi Wen's face went red and white, frozen in place.

Cha Shiyin covered his mouth, while Qu Nianruo, understanding the look on his face, knew this expression as the one he had when holding back laughter.

Although Qu Nianruo didn't understand the humor, he felt the situation's progression was bizarrely interesting.

Initially, Shi Wen was slightly dominant, and Mr. Qin slightly weaker.

Later, Shi Wen and Mr. Qin stood on equal ground.

But now, Shi Wen became the weaker party, while Mr. Qin became as overwhelming as if Shi Wen were his long-lost wild son.

Though neither party's interests shifted—Mr. Qin seeking Shi Wen's cooperation, and Shi Wen wanting to learn Combat Technique from Mr. Qin.

Yet, inexplicably, their positions had completely reversed!

Le Yuxin looked at Shi Wen, pondering that if Shi Wen came to class next week, he'd probably realize the game being played.

His trick was no different than the 'Qingfu Persuasions', a compliance test, applying sunk costs to make the other party yield step by step, lowering their limits to the fawning level.

Le Yuxin actually disliked this approach, but knew it worked best with Shi Wen.

Shi Wen was strong yet fragile, simple yet dangerous, reclusive yet eager for recognition.

Curiously, he was full of rebellious spirit yet easy to control.

Le Yuxin could take on disciples but hadn't planned to serve a master. If he couldn't crush Shi Wen's arrogance now, wouldn't he be stepped over by this disciple later? And cheating in exams only required a tool, not an arrogant elder.

At last, Shi Wen persuaded himself, collapsing with a dramatic flair and loudly declared, "Mr. Qin, please teach me Combat Technique!"

"Good, full of spirit," Le Yuxin said, satisfied, "Then, as a reluctant master, I shall accept you, you insolent disciple!"

Hearing the unmasked delight in Le Yuxin's tone, Shi Wen suddenly became aware – wait, wasn't I supposed to make things difficult for Qin Le Yin and then reluctantly agree to help him cheat, so he would teach me Combat Technique?

It was supposed to be a dual joy of humiliating Qin Le Yin and finding a Combat Technique teacher... Why... did it end up like this...

Witnessing the entire scene from the side, Qu Nianruo felt a surge of admiration for Mr. Qin.

She couldn't find the words to describe Mr. Qin's excellence. If she were to use Li Ying's words, it would be—

Mr. Qin's rank is extraordinarily high.