Douluo: Things You Live Long Enough to See

Cheng Ying believed that having Dugu Bo teach Meng Shu was definitely for the boy's own good. In this day and age, anyone who could solve quadratic equations and calculate parabolas was considered high-level talent.

The kind of high-level talent who could be thrown into an artillery unit and made a commander.

Of course… the only artillery unit currently in existence was under Cheng Ying's command, and all the artillerymen combined only totaled two hundred and forty.

"What? Teacher said there's extracurricular activity today? That means—no homework, right?!"

When Meng Shu heard Dugu Bo calling them outside, he cheered immediately.

Tang Chen also sighed in relief. He hadn't finished the basic coursework assigned by Cheng Ying either. Frankly, he'd rather forge metal all day than face that monstrous workbook.

But since he knew Cheng Ying better, he had a vague sense this wasn't going to be simple…

On the way to the riverbank, Chaotian Xiang looked at the overjoyed Meng Shu—who was practically bouncing like an off-leash husky—and couldn't understand.

"You're learning such advanced knowledge. Shouldn't you be excited? I'm actually envious that you have such a learned teacher. Why do you seem so resistant?"

She always stepped away during Meng Shu's lessons—after all, in this era, what a master taught a disciple was considered private.

But even from the few words she'd overheard, she could tell the knowledge was remarkable. It only made her admire Cheng Ying more and wish she could learn too.

As for the embarrassment from that bet Cheng Ying had with her earlier… she had already forgotten about it completely.

"That's because you haven't had to learn all this 'basic knowledge!'" Meng Shu made a tortured expression.

"Now my brain is full of things like x = at and 4ac – b. I can't open my mouth without blurting out hydrogen, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, francium. And I end conversations with 'twenty-four pairs of chromosomes'… I'm going insane! My brain is trembling! Teacher said humans think with their brains, not their hearts. And now I believe it because my head hurts!"

His crazed expression left Chaotian Xiang completely speechless.

She realized she couldn't understand anything he was talking about. The knowledge Cheng Ying taught seemed to come from a completely different world—arcane and incomprehensible.

"If you want to learn too, you should talk to the teacher. I don't think he'll reject you as a disciple. In fact, he might just be waiting for you to ask." Tang Chen offered kindly, seeing the conflict in her expression.

"It's actually really simple. That guy's just too dumb."

Dugu Bo finally chimed in. After tutoring Meng Shu, he had come to appreciate just how smart Tang Chen really was.

Chaotian Xiang: "…"

There was just too much conflicting information. That Cheng Ying was extremely knowledgeable was obvious, but the content he taught seemed terrifying. Seeing Meng Shu's expression—like someone who'd been spiritually corrupted—made it hard to summon the courage to ask.

"Still hesitating about taking me as your teacher?"

Cheng Ying's voice suddenly came from behind, startling Chaotian Xiang.

"Yes… Meng Shu said your lessons are very hard to learn. But Dugu Bo said they're simple… I don't know if I'm capable of being your student."

Cheng Ying rubbed his nose at her honest reply. He felt like not telling a story at this point would be failing his duty.

"How about this: let me tell you a little story."

"Bala bala~"

Cheng Ying smoothly began recounting the story of The Little Horse Crossing the River.

Though the tale was childish, the message was very clear.

"So what you're saying is…"

Chaotian Xiang started to understand.

"Don't let others' words sway you so easily. Different people may view the same thing in completely different ways. If you don't try for yourself, you'll never know whether you can cross the river ahead of you.

I'll give you a chance—study alongside Meng Shu for a while, start from the basics, and decide afterward."

Cheng Ying then glanced at the other three youths who seemed completely indifferent.

After all, it was a fairy tale. Fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boys weren't interested in fairy tales anymore. The three of them hadn't taken it seriously at all.

"Ahem. That story wasn't just for Chaotian Xiang—it's also for all of you. Now tell me: what do you think the end of the world looks like?"

The trio looked at each other, hesitant. They each had their own guesses, but when they thought of the story Cheng Ying had just told, an unbelievable thought crept into their minds.

Tang Chen was the first to speak:

"Teacher, you don't mean… you're going to take us to see the end of the world for ourselves?"

"Bingo! That's exactly what we're doing!"

Bingdi suddenly popped out from behind Cheng Ying, scaring the three of them half to death.

"This time, we're heading west, following the river to the sea, and continuing onward until we can go no farther.

Think of this as a field expedition—a lesson in life experience. After this, I believe you'll always remember the truth: everything must be tested by action."

The three youths were stunned.

They couldn't imagine anything crazier than actually trying to reach the end of the world. But one thing was certain—they would never forget this lesson: "Practice is the only true measure of truth."

"Come on, let me show you our ride for this journey!"

Cheng Ying climbed over a hill and pointed to the enormous vessel by the riverside.

"We'll be sailing across the seas on that! We're about to set a new record for human maritime travel!"

The trio and Chaotian Xiang climbed over the hill and saw the 139-meter-long warship docked at the riverside. Standing in formation nearby were 240 artillerymen and over 500 sailors.

They were so shocked they couldn't speak.

Thinking back to what Cheng Ying had told them, their hearts surged with excitement.

They instinctively ignored the fact that—besides them—every crew member was a normal human.

Cheng Ying had chosen these sailors carefully.

Compared to the Age of Exploration on Earth, this voyage resembled Zheng He's expedition to the western seas—a grand show of force, burning money to build prestige.

These sailors would form the foundation of Cheng Ying's future navy.

They had to be strong, yes—but also educated and ideologically aware. While poetry and literature weren't required, they did need to recognize commonly used characters.

Thankfully, Cheng Ying had access to Pinyin, a powerful teaching tool.

Over the past year, he'd invested heavily in training programs and night classes, and now these 800+ men looked the part of full-time soldiers.

Though they still couldn't match a soul master corps in combat—that was a mindset issue.

But in raw power, with their big warship, they could crush an equal-sized soul master corps into the dirt.

And once this crew successfully completed a global circumnavigation, their mindsets would change completely.

That pride "I'm not a soul master, but I've sailed around the world" would destroy the fear they had of soul masters.

At that point, they would become the sharpest blade to shatter the myth of soul master invincibility.

"All hands on board! Prepare to set sail!"

Cheng Ying stood at the bow and gave the order to the assembled crew.

The World's Edge Expedition officially begins!