Hearing Diego’s question, beads of sweat appeared at the back of Samuel’s neck. Looking at Zhu, he couldn’t help but feel worried.

‘I’m trying to con his disciple under his nose. Conning the disciple of a grand Sage under his nose. Heck, if I succeed, I can brag about it for a lifetime. That’d be amazing. Only thing that can beat it would be conning a Sage, no? Will he let it slide?’

Besides a trace of worry, an uncanny brazenness and immeasurable excitement filled his heart. He couldn’t help but feel his blood flow becoming faster. Clenching his fists, he looked at Zhu.

Shaking the teacup in his hand, Zhu asked, “You’re asking about the story or the coins?”

Scratching his head, Diego replied, “Coins. Can we really use those things to release an attack? Is that something that really happens?”

Looking at Diego with an unamused gaze, Zhu nodded as he spoke in a flat tone. “I thought you’d know about that. Of the books I gave you to read, the one about currency mentioned it. So, did you lie to me about having read all those books?”

Although the tone of voice was flat, Diego broke out in a cold sweat. Scratching the back of his head, he replied in a shaky voice, “Ah. Ha… Haha…. Hahahaha…. I did read all those books. It’s just… uh… I forgot the section about coins. Yes. I forgot. I forgot. My bad. Haha… It really isn’t as you’re thinking, okay?”

Looking at Diego trying to squeeze his way out of the situation, Samuel shook his head in disdain. ‘He doesn’t even know how to fake it. It’s painfully obvious you either forgot or read it in your dreams.’

Patting Diego’s shoulder, Samuel sneered, “Young one, read more books.”

Diego’s fury flared up in an instant, but looking at Zhu’s unamused gaze, he dared not do a thing. Turning his head back, he glared at Samuel, whose expression in turn grew more and more disdainful.

Before Diego could open his mouth to rebut, Zhu’s emotionless voice rang out. “Well, since you didn’t know the use of those things, you can return them. I’m sure you won’t mind returning me my Mythril and Alexandrite coins, no? After all, they aren’t very useful, are they?”

As if having come to a sudden realisation, Diego turned to Samuel and asked, “Augustus, do you know about Alexandrite coins as well? Do they also have those rune-thingies for an attack? Oh, and the story behind them?”

Samuel’s expression turned odd. He inwardly cursed. ‘I just spouted so much bullcrap for you to ask me to spout more? What do you take me as, you punk? Just wait.’

“If I remember correctly, the story I just mentioned was vaguely hinted in your book about coins, right? You must know since you read that book.” Samuel gave Diego an encouraging look while asking.

To the side, Shi Mei’s expression also turned odd. However, she kept her silence, watching the scene play out.

Patting his chest, Diego nodded. “You’re correct. In the place where they said stuff about Mythril coins, they mentioned it had something to do with the ancient war of gods and devils.”

Samuel’s lips arched in a smile. His body trembled countless times, but he somehow held back his laughter. ‘The what? Did he really fall for it? Haha! What a marvel! How would I know what book you read? I never went to your home to check, nor did I ask the name. Just what?! And this thing should be in texts about metals, not coins and economy. I’m willing to bet money on it.’

Thinking till here, Samuel finally couldn’t maintain his composure and began laughing.

“Just what’re you laughing at? Did I say something wrong? H-hey! I’m talking to you.” Diego asked, feeling something off.

“N-nothing, you’re correct.” Samuel mustered out between his laughs.

After calming down, he continued, “From what I know, Alexandrite coins also have those spells, and the ones in Alexandrite coins are even more terrifying. As for their story, I don’t know about it.”

“Ohhhhhh!” Diego exclaimed.

Looking at the oblivious Diego, Zhu shook his head, feeling helpless. ‘This brat is as carefree as always. I’ll need to be even more strict—’

“He’s not bad. Don’t you think?” Yuan Mo’s murmur broke Zhu out of his thoughts. The old man’s voice wasn’t loud, barely enough for the two of them to hear.

“….” Shifting his gaze to Samuel, Zhu’s helpless expression grew deeper.

Looking at Helpless Zhu, Yuan Mo smiled. “Take it easy. They’re just kids. If they don’t mess around now, when will they?”

As if complaining, Zhu muttered, “But with the treaty about to end and all this conflict—”

“Just sit back and relax. It’ll be their time in the future and it’s up to them how they’ll enjoy it. If they don’t cause or get into trouble, how will they grow? They aren’t in a greenhouse, nor will they remain kids forever. We’re only spectators. And if they really get into something they can’t solve, we’re always here to help them, no? Just do your duties and sit back and relax. Let them find their own path.”

Zhu nodded with a smirk. “You’re right. We’re just spectators. This brat caused trouble for himself by not properly abiding by his master’s teachings, and will now suffer consequences. Isn’t that right? Giving kids too much money distorts its value in their eyes. And I needed some money, anyway.”

Yuan Mo laughed. “Great minds think alike. Here, let me fill your cup.”

Zhu shook his head. “About time I leave. I have things to take care of. Thank you for your lesson today. Take care. I’ll visit whenever I’m free. Diego, let’s go.”

The last part of his speech was directed towards Diego, who was busy questioning Samuel about why he was laughing. Nonetheless, the latter dodged all questions, not giving the former an accurate reply.

After the two left, Shi Mei asked Samuel, “Why were you laughing?”

“Curious?” Samuel asked back.

Shi Mei nodded.

Seeing her nod, Samuel smiled while asking, “What did I ask him?”

“That his book had a section about… Wait!” Shi Mei’s eyes widened. “How do you know which book he was reading?”

Hearing her words, Samuel couldn’t help laughing to the point of tears. “I don’t. That idiot fell for it. He actually said he read about it. As a result, his days will be miserable.”

Shi Mei’s expression turned odd once more. Hurriedly, she turned her head away before leaving the room.

With only him and Yuan Mo left, Samuel immediately felt a bit awkward. He said, “I’ll go take a shower and meet you at the dinner table.”

Leaving his words hanging, he veered out of the room.

Yuan Mo sat in his chair. A pleased smile hung on his face as he murmured, “This kid really isn’t bad. Maybe bringing him along wasn’t a bad idea after all.”

The next morning, while Samuel was tossing and turning in his bead, a knocking sound woke him up.

‘My ears must be ringing. Who’ll come to disturb the high priest so early in the—’

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

Realising the knocking wasn’t his ears ringing, Samuel got up before poking his head out the window. Immediately, his brows sank.

“Augustus! Come down and fight me!”