"Mwah mwah mwah." Something noisy stirred his consciousness as his eyes awoke to a gentle light.
The source of the noise was something that looked like a strawberry colored Numby.
No no, a dream tapir. Wow, looks even cuter in person he thought.
Taigong began to survey his surroundings as he took in what looked like a medical room.
Although it had a strange sense of aesthetics, chili peppers hung from the doors and the room was filled with herbs and medicinal ingredients.
"Mr Taigong, you're awake." A voice spoke as the door cracked open.
"Let us be acquainted, I am Jiaoqiu, Yueyu's physician and a doctor of the Yaoqing. And now I am also your attending physician as well."
His vibe was way too familiar. Oh right, they practically looked like brothers from different races.
Shut eyes met shut eyes.
"Thank you for your help. I am Taigong Wang, Taigong is fine."
Jiaoqiu sat down and asked for his wrist to take his pulse.
"Looks like you're all good to go. Take it easy, Yaoqing wouldn't want their new hero to fall weak again."
Taigong raised an eyebrow. "Hero?" He asked.
Jiaoqiu gave an equally surprised look, "Yes, by now it has spread all across the cosmos. Genius Society #85 Grandmaster at Arms, Emanator of Erudition rose to ascension in the midst of the borisin war. That is what the whole cosmos has heard."
Taigong groaned as he immediately thought of the culprit, the echoes of that childish laughter dismissed any thoughts of complaint.
Jiaoqiu turned his head to the door as footsteps echoed on the other side before the door opened with gusto.
"Hey! If it isn't our new hero of the Yaoqing~" Yueyu teased as she walked in. Taigong and Jiaoqiu both shared a look with their equally shut eyes as Yueyu laughed at the sight.
"Anyways I thought about it for a bit, and since you'll be staying at the Yaoqing I thought you'd need a position and one that pays well.
Since Luofu has a sword champion why not have a title named after you? I doubt anyone would be able to beat you so its fair in the eyes of the public but... well its rigged."
Taigong gave a slight bow as he thanked Yueyu, "Thank you for all your help."
Yueyu shook her head, "No it is you who have helped us, rest. I'll have Jiaoqiu take you across the Yaoqing to familiarise yourself before settling at your accommodation."
Jiaoqiu sighed as he produced washed clothing. "I had people wash and repair it with stronger materials. I'll take you out after you get changed.
~~~~
"Let's familiarise you with the Yaoqing before heading towards your mansion. Also here is your identity plaque this should resolve any permission issues." Jiaoqiu handed him everything as they walked down the streets.
Numerous people whispered and pointed towards him. After that battle and anonymous broadcast, his reputation had soared and almost everyone on the Yaoqing knew his name.
Alone and fearless, one man vs an army of borisin.
Wherever he walked, the battlefield would become barren.
He walked out victorious and drew the gaze of the Aeon of Erudition.
After familiarising himself with the environment Jiaoqiu lead him to a peaceful area by the waters with a large mansion. Not too far away from the bustling streets but not close enough either.
A perfect sweet spot.
"Here is the residence General Yueyu has arranged for you. Your salary will be paid in advance along with a bonus from your merits. The General has also advised you be prepared for any challengers for your position."
On the desk of his office was a new phone gifted by Yueyu, the phone case had an image of a himself riding a dream tapir. How strangely fitting, if only he had a tapir.
Immediately after setting up an account his relevant details were sent to him along with his financial details.
Although after seeing the amount of strales entering his account, no wonder there was that condition attached.
It was a public position, able to be challenged and changed at anytime.
That was how Yueyu convinced the officials to instate him as the first Grandmaster at Arms similar to how one could challenge for the position of the Sword Champion on the Luofu.
~~~~
"A new Emanator of Erudition? And one of combat rather than academics... How strange." A woman's distorted voice muttered to herself before concluding there was no need to monitor this new genius.
~~~~
Many years passed by as Taigong found that he too did not age. His looks and complexion remained the exact same.
And now he found himself in the arena for the nth time.
By now he had grown bored of the challengers for his title.
A strong looking fighter stood opposite side as many people crowded the arena. Tickets had become a lot cheaper considering the time it took from start to finish.
Only a cup of tea's worth.
The challenger stood in the arena as Taigong walked out of the tunnel. He chuckled as he realised he had forgotten to grab a weapon.
He chuckled as he thought of his skill's inspiration.
A streetlight pole stood near edges of the arena. Not too long nor too short. Perfect.
The audience stood confused as Taigong went to place his hands on the street light before ripping it out.
"Come."
In an instant the fight was finished.
The streetlight instantly struck the man's head in the back as he dropped like a sack of potatoes.
Taigong soon headed back to his residence to fish, perhaps it was influence from his looks but he found fishing in the small lake a fun and peaceful hobby.
Soon three foxians entered his residence as he raised an eyebrow, "What's Saran doing here?"
"Feixiao! I'm called Feixiao now!" she protested as Taigong picked his ears before continuing to stare at the river blankly.
Yueyu and Jiaoqiu took a seat before sighing, "You remember that girl Jingliu you taught? She has become mara-struck. The alliance is proposing that either you or her disciple Jing Yuan deal with her."
Taigong had some vague memories of the short time of instruction, that girl was truly adept at the sword. Pity she fell into mara.
However, he did not feel any obligation to act as all he did was teach her for a few months at most. Such an act of striking down the mara was not something he looked forward to.
The look on his face told the both of them everything they needed to know.
"So are you planning to ever take a proper disciple?" Jiaoqiu asked out of curiosity.
Taigong remained silent as the fishing rod made a tug. Instantly a huge fish was torn out of the water as he offered it to Jiaoqiu. "Let's talk over some food."
A silent sigh was felt by Jiaoqiu as he made his way to the kitchen.
Soon a piping hot chili oil seared fish appeared on the table.
Small bowls of rice were soon placed as the three sat down forgetting about Feixiao who had gone to mess around in the training ground.
"I don't think I'll ever take a disciple." Taigong responded. Yueyu raised an eyebrow, "If you secretly can't find one cause of your shut eyes I don't mind giving Feixiao to you."
Both shut eyed individuals felt a poke at their similar traits. Meanwhile Feixiao was unaware she was being offered away like a commodity.
Taigong shook his head, "I just don't feel like it. I just want to lounge about in peace. Maybe find someone to settle down with."
Yueyu's eyes expanded with excitement. "Who? Who?"
Jiaoqiu gazed at his "brother" with a strange look.
Taigong shrugged "No one, I haven't found anyone I'm interested in. I blame the bunch of couples in the food market showing public displays of affection. Disgusting, tch."
Yet as he said those words the other shut eyed individual could clearly sense jealousy.
"What's your type?" Yueyu asked with a mischievous grin obviously intent on watching him squirm.
"A kind and gentle foxian lady, perhaps rich as well. Must have excellent tail care. Good legs too." Taigong muttered utterly shameless about it.
Both foxians in the room remained silent. It wasn't often that someone would just out and say that their type was a foxian to a foxian along with their preferences.
Yueyu asked with a teasing voice, "Are you sure you aren't secretly Jiaoqiu's secret genetically defect twin?"
Taigong simply continued to eat as the atmosphered slowly recovered.