"Snap!"

The teacup in her hand made a crisp sound. Yor snapped awake, suddenly realizing she had snapped the handle right off the cup.

"What's wrong?" Loid leaned in curiously.

"Ah... it's nothing. This cup was just old and worn out, and I accidentally broke the handle," Yor quickly looked up and returned a smile. "I'll go buy a new set after work tomorrow."

—

【Seeing the massive mech behind Shuojin, the audience below immediately broke into a flurry of discussion:】

【"...Isn't Mr. Shuojin against the IPC's traditional 'No-School' faction? Why has he taken on this job of endorsing mechs?"】

【"I saw him live-streaming his specialty of destroying IPC mechs with his bare hands before... so why is he here endorsing the IPC's weapons now?"】

【"I don't know either. How did these two end up in bed together? What kind of show are they putting on?"】

【Shuojin cleared his throat and addressed the audience solemnly: "Everyone, please calm down! Some of you might find it strange to see me standing on this stage, assuming I'm being hypocritical and have knelt before money and interests to become a traitor to the Xianzhou. But let me tell you, things are definitely not as you think!"】

【"When the IPC first approached me to endorse this mech, I refused! The ancient Xianzhou martial arts that I, Shuojin, have painstakingly practiced are a legitimate intangible cultural heritage. Their effects on strengthening the body are a hundred times greater than any mech, making them a rare treasure of galactic civilization!"】

【Audience member: "So, why exactly are you standing here right now? If you've been kidnapped, blink twice, Mr. Shuojin!"】

【Shuojin was completely unfazed by the audience, continuing his fabrication with a straight face: "Ahem, but perhaps you haven't heard that our school of martial arts has a long-standing relationship with the Interastral Peace Corporation's mechs. Now, some might ask, how can ancient Xianzhou martial arts be related to the IPC? This story begins over two thousand years ago. Historical records prove that the Intelligentsia Guild was once invited to assist the Xianzhou in the war against the Denizens of Abundance..."】

【"At that time, the sages of the Intelligentsia Guild emulated the Xianzhou Aurumaton to create thirteen power armors and meticulously refined Automaton combat techniques to assist the Xianzhou—this is the origin of the ancient martial arts I use."】

【Having said that, he put on a look of regret and sighed deeply: "Alas, as the years passed, this beautiful tale of alliance was forgotten by later generations. That is why I am here today—to restore history, to recreate history. The Interastral Peace Corporation's mechs are also treasures of our Xianzhou ancient martial arts!"】

—

jackie chan adventures.

"Hahaha... Hahahaha—!"

Jade covered her mouth, her laughter leaking through her fingers. At first, it was just a few snickers, but it soon became uncontrollable like a bursting dam. She clutched her stomach and laughed wildly, to the point where the muscles on her face began to twitch.

"Uncle Jackie! Did you see his face? And that deadpan expression! 'The IPC's mechs are also treasures of our Xianzhou ancient martial arts'! Genius... that's a stroke of genius, hahahaha! How on earth did he connect those two things? He really went to a lot of trouble."

"Even the Enigmata's History Fictionologists would have to step aside for him, wouldn't they? Give Shuojin the pen, and he'll write whatever history he wants!"

Jackie Chan also had a strained expression. Sometimes, when a person is speechless to the extreme, they can't help but laugh. This Shuojin had actually racked his brains to come up with such a line for an endorsement fee; he was really giving it his all.

For a moment, he thought of the antique appraisal scammers back home. The stories they painstakingly fabricated weren't even as interesting as Shuojin's. He took the company's money to fool the audience, and he was certainly putting a lot of effort into the fooling.

Jade plopped down on the sofa, overjoyed. "If Xianzhou ancient martial arts were related to mechs, why did Shuojin only remember it now? Why didn't he mention it when he was smashing mechs with his bare hands? It seems the IPC's 'Great Memory Restoration Technique' is very effective."

"Money makes the world go round," Jackie Chan curled his lip. "That saying is really true. As expected, the old proverbs from home still apply even outside of Earth."

—

【Hearing this, Owlbert also began to comment with a sarcastic tone: "Who would have thought, who would have thought? The IPC's power armor actually has such a deep connection with the Xianzhou—"】

【"The IPC's mechs and your martial arts share the same roots, right? Why couldn't you remember that before? Was it the IPC's money that awakened your memory?"】

【The audience below wasn't buying it at all, and the noise grew louder and louder.】

【"You're only telling us this now? Do you have no shame toward us old fans who supported you, Shuojin?!"】

【"Shuojin, get lost! Shuojin, get lost! Shuojin, get lost!"】

【The situation was becoming increasingly uncontrollable. Shuojin hurriedly interrupted: "Everyone, hold your anger! To prove that what I say is true, I will put on this armor today and perform a demonstration for you all. I'll let you see if my every move fits this IPC iron armor seamlessly!"】

【"Everyone! In the previous Wardance, I lost by a narrow margin to the contestant Luka from Belobog! It just so happens that he is visiting today. I, Shuojin, take the liberty of challenging him once more. I wonder if Mr. Luka would be willing to give me some more pointers?"】

【Stelle and Luka in the audience exchanged a look; the other party's motive was crystal clear.】

【If Luka went up and was defeated, Shuojin would regain his dignity on the martial arts stage. If he refused, he would likely gain a reputation for running away from a fight, which Shuojin would then publicize widely.】

【"So... is this the 'problem-solving' method Miss Topaz mentioned? She handed the opportunity to me, and I must grasp it firmly."】

【Luka readily accepted the challenge, but this time the match was completely different from the previous day. The audience was no longer hurling insults at him; instead, they were all aimed at Shuojin across from him.】

【"Shuojin, get lost! Liar! IPC lapdog!"】

—

Miss Krillin's Dragon Maid.

"Hehehe... Hahahaha—!!!"

Thor in the living room finally burst into an unrestrained fit of laughter. Watching Shuojin being cursed by the very audience he had manipulated, a sense of poetic justice welled up in her heart.

"Yes! That's it! Curse him to death! Let him experience the feeling of being unable to defend himself!"

"Alright, Thor, stop jumping around in the living room."

Krillin walked to the refrigerator and took out a can of craft beer she usually couldn't bear to drink. This kind of alcohol was something she had specifically prepared for a "good show" like this.