Mingchao: The Survival Journey of a Comedian

Chapter 45 He may have lost his father, but he still has me!

He felt there was no need to scroll down any further.

Without a moment's hesitation, he quickly closed the book, looked up at the ceiling, and black and white lines rapidly appeared all around him.

"System... if I finish learning this book, will you still guarantee a job?"

"What's wrong? This handbook is the culmination of the hard work of many outstanding individuals from different worlds who serve as mentors!"

"Why would the host have such a question?"

Hearing the system's puzzled, mechanical voice, he simply smiled: he figured this system completely misunderstood the value of the names on the contribution leaderboard—very few of them were still alive.

"...It's alright, it's useful, extremely useful."

"I haven't finished my mission yet, you should be able to send me back... right?"

"That's right, but the host has unlocked almost all of his skills, and his combat strength is not weak... so he shouldn't be afraid of anything anymore, right?"

"I'm relieved to hear that. I'm going back to reading. Goodbye."

After disabling the still-confused system and mentally preparing myself, I once again opened the "Mentor's Handbook" —

"I understand!!! Daoist Master, I understand!!!"

"This book is really useful! It teaches everything, it's so generous!"

"And the real-life examples are so helpful!"

"This world is certainly imperfect... but it is precisely because of imperfect people like us that this imperfect world is pieced together little by little..."

"That's how it will become what we expect!"

After several days of this ordeal, the mental state of someone who was already in poor condition worsened.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly cooperative attitude towards treatment and smiling demeanor these past few days.

But in reality, he would secretly study the book late at night when everything was quiet...

From the most basic martial arts instruction to psychological support and even sacrifice when necessary... he truly experienced and learned a great deal.

Although his talent was only enough for him to grasp the most basic things...

But it should still be able to handle the current taboo against fire.

"The aftereffects of this final lesson are truly powerful... no wonder he appears most frequently on the contribution leaderboard."

"Himeko-sensei! I will never forget your teachings!"

"I will carry on your will and pass it on from generation to generation!"

The learning experience from this book truly exceeded his expectations. It allowed him to personally experience the experiences of each teacher and their teaching methods, and he even got to experience what it was like to be a student at the end.

He was only allowed to leave after he found a way that was truly suitable for teaching students.

The immersion was so strong, I cried countless times while watching it.

Who on earth invented this book? Come out and claim your prize! He promises to give that person special consideration.

“Host…you are the first person to complete this learning process in this way…”

"I thought you were just going to look around, but it turns out you chose immersive learning..."

I had finally managed to catch my breath after studying this book, but the next moment I heard the system's strange words.

"Explain yourself clearly, what exactly is this learning method?"

The blue panel seemed to hesitate about whether to tell him, but after he narrowed his eyes and gave it a threatening look, an explanation popped up the next moment.

"The Mentor's Handbook - Two Learning Methods"

"Standard learning method: Self-study the knowledge points in the book, and then take the exam to pass."

"Immersive learning—you'll enter and be personally guided by each teacher, but if you sometimes can't find a truly suitable way to teach your students, you can always come back!"

"..."

It turns out the problem wasn't with the book; it was because he didn't read the synopsis...

But you can't really blame him! The book immediately labeled him with several particularly famous figures.

This led him to naturally overlook the selection method: as a result, it automatically locked him to the second option!

That's truly a kind of conscience, so very kind.

Impotent rage was useless. In the end, looking at the "Mentor's Manual" he had already completed, he couldn't muster any more enthusiasm. He sighed, closed the book, and lay down on the bed like a salted fish.

"...I haven't seen Ji Huohuo these past few days either."

"I do miss it a little."

He genuinely hadn't expected that a 10-year-old child would be allowed to join the army... although upon closer examination, he discovered that the age requirement was 14...

But it's still ridiculous!

"...Is this what you call a military doctor...?"

"It is indeed very important on the battlefield..."

The current military composition is not like it was after Ji Yan became a general, when most of his soldiers were Resonators.

Many ordinary people are still in this ranks, using their flesh and blood to stop the remnant elephants' attack, rushing to the front lines as ordinary people to defend their homeland.

Among these countless mortals, naturally included this cultivator.

"Geshu's personality is probably similar to what Ji Yan saw in the military camp back then..."

"Stop war with force..."

Arrogant, having almost never experienced defeat, believing in victory through force, and showing little regard for the weak...

This conflicts greatly with Ji Yan's belief that he wants to save everyone, and it's easy to overlook the thoughts of ordinary people and the weak.

But if you ask him... force can't end this tragedy, and simply healing others can't protect everyone around you.

Only by finding a balance between the two can the problem be truly solved.

"Sigh... why am I thinking about these things?"

"Right now, we should be thinking about how to teach the other person to practice swordsmanship."

"My swordsmanship is primarily offensive... I don't know if it's suitable for him."

"How about we start by teaching them the standard swordsmanship of the Night Return Army... Speaking of which, it was Xiaobai who taught me back then..."

Sitting on the bed, I began to plan my next steps. Before I could think for long, the door opened, and an elderly woman carrying a medical kit walked in.

"How are you feeling now, Brother Mo?"

"If the previous checkups show the same results as before, you can be discharged."

The visitor was none other than Ji Yan's mother. As the heir to a family of physicians, it was natural for her to treat returning soldiers in the military camp.

That is precisely why she had the greatest influence on Ji Yan.

"Thank you for your concern, Mother. My current condition is no different from the previous times."

"He should be able to be discharged now."

"Thank you for your concern these past few days."

"No trouble at all, it's my honor to treat so many heroes who protect our country."

Hearing the other person's distant yet respectful attitude, the mother simply smiled helplessly. She then sat down to examine him.

"...recovering very well."

"Having such a robust physique is indeed a very fortunate thing."

After the brief examination, he noticed his mother, who had been staring at him, seemed to want to say something. For some reason, he felt a strange sense of déjà vu.

I always feel like I'm promising to do something to others.

"Mother, is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"If I can help, I will do my best."

Seeing that her thoughts had been exposed, the matriarch no longer concealed herself. She slowly raised her head to look at him, a hint of struggle flashing in her eyes, and voiced her request.

"Huo Huo has probably already told you about his decision to join the army."

"I recently attended the new recruit induction ceremony at the Bell Square."

"I know that protecting our country and saving everyone is his wish... and I am willing to support him."

"But how could a mother possibly feel at ease?"

Looking at the mother's worried face, he already understood why she had come here.

"So... you want me to take good care of him?"

"No, what I want to ask you is..."

"If one day this child dies on the battlefield and can never return... would you do your best to help..."

"Take his body home."

The clamor of the scene abruptly subsided, and at that moment, his heart was deeply shaken. Watching the person before him utter those words with surprising calmness, each syllable struck his heart like a thunderbolt. In that instant, he profoundly understood the meaning of grief—

It is the bloodstains on the battlefield, the helplessness of watching those around you leave, and the composure of a mother pleading for a corpse...

"...mother's death"

"You should already know that he wants to become my student to learn swordsmanship, right?"

Seeing the other person's somewhat puzzled expression, as if they didn't quite understand the significance of him bringing this up, he ignored it, his expression growing increasingly serious, as if he had made up his mind.

"Although we haven't officially started teaching yet... in a sense, I've already considered him my student."

"As his teacher... I won't let these things happen."

I will bring him back to you safely.

"I swear"

Ji Yan cannot die; no matter the cost, he will protect that person.

Behind that man are his mother and countless warriors who will need his guidance in the future...

But he is different.

He was all alone; he had no one to rely on.

This identity, on the contrary, allows him to do many things.

"You're putting me in a really difficult position..."

"It won't be difficult for him; this child is naturally intelligent."

"His future is bound to be brand new, and he will undoubtedly guide many more people towards a new beginning."

"If I can guide him forward, if I can be his mentor on his path... that would be my honor."

As he was talking, he suddenly noticed that the woman in front of him was crying. Seeing her silently shedding tears, he was completely at a loss. He struggled to take a piece of paper from the cabinet and handed it to her.

"Mother's death..."

The other person took the tissue, gently wiped away their tears, and then held it tightly in their hand, their voice trembling slightly.

"……thank you……"

"Thank you so much..."

The other person's voice was choked with emotion. She then slowly grasped his hand, as if wanting to tell him something. She paused for a moment, but ultimately did not pull away.

"This child's father was also a night-returning soldier... but he left before Huo Huo could even speak..."

"At first, I just wanted him to inherit the clinic and become an ordinary doctor..."

"But...this child is indeed very intelligent and has inherited our strengths..."

"Gentle yet resolute..."

"I started trying to get him to treat soldiers, taking him to every military camp... letting him experience the cruelty and bloodshed of war... I originally wanted him to give up..."

But I was wrong.

"The more they learn, the more mature the child becomes, and the more they realize that studying medicine can't save everyone..."

"And now... I've decided to respect his choice and join the Night Return Army..."

"But...I'm also so afraid that the child will end up like his father..."

"You just left me all alone like this..."

Looking at his mother, who was on the verge of emotional collapse, with a complicated expression, he didn't know how to offer advice, nor did he feel he had the right to.

He didn't experience anything like this during his childhood; his memory of his mother was always that of an alcoholic.

Having never experienced the care and concern of family, one naturally cannot appreciate this feeling.

After some time, the sobbing gradually subsided. The mother wiped away her tears again with a tissue, a look of apology on her face.

"...Sorry to have you listen to my rambling."

"Huo Huo is very lucky to have a teacher like you."

"From now on... I'll have to trouble you to take good care of him."

I feel like the burden on my shoulders has become even heavier; I can barely breathe, and the confidence I've worked so hard to build is starting to crumble again.

Suddenly I realized that getting him to perform the Roaring Style wasn't actually that difficult.

If we take out all the enemies, we should be able to protect Ji Yan, right?

"Please stop your delusions, host."

"Although the host is already very strong, it is impossible to defeat everything without using the red talent."

"And please also recognize the mission objective—'guidance'."

Damn system, can't I even have a moment to fantasize?

He knew he wasn't that strong, and that with his 16-year-old body, he definitely couldn't do those things.

By the way, how tall is he again? He can't possibly be less than 1.7 meters, can he?!

As the other woman's expression shifted, her grip on the tissue tightened, and a hint of self-reproach flickered in her eyes.

—The person she entrusted with this task was only a 16-year-old child.

"Thank you for your trust... I..."

Before he could even thank the other person for believing him, the other person continued speaking, and what they said almost made him faint.

"The battlefield is ever-changing, and obeying commands is of utmost importance."

"This child is intelligent, but also has a restless and impulsive personality..."

"As his teacher... and based on my interactions with you, I believe you can definitely teach him well."

"A teacher for a day is a father for life."

"If he doesn't listen, Brother Mo, please teach him a lesson!"

A barrage of words rained down on him, and his mind, which had finally regained its clarity, became foggy again. He even seemed to see a blond man talking to him—

He may have lost his father, but he still has me.

I could totally be his guide in life, couldn't I?

Throw him out! He doesn't want to be the first cuckold!

"No, no, no..."

"It's a good thing that Ji Yan has such a flexible way of thinking. The situation on the battlefield can change in a million ways in an instant..."

"I, as his teacher, should be happy that he has such a way of thinking."

"Following orders is also extremely important. I don't ask this child to be famous in the military camp, I only ask that he stays safe and sound..."

He admitted that he ultimately lost the battle with mothers, feeling as if he had been given an extra title, a feeling of being super-elderly.

"...I have heard your instructions clearly."

"But overall, I still plan to let this child grow freely, with only a little guidance."

"...And could you please help me with the discharge procedures?"

"I'm going to watch the recruit ceremony."

He sighed, calculated the time, and realized they were probably nearing the end. If he rushed over, he should be able to see Ji Yan just in time.

Let's see if his studies over the past few days have actually been effective.