"Before, when I discussed several questions in the Teacher Qualification Examination with Zhang laoshi, not only was he able to answer them clearly, he was able to come up with seven to eight answers for each of them. Furthermore, I was unable to come up with some of the answers he proposed. His comprehensive knowledge is indeed worthy of respect! Back then, I was puzzled over how he was unable to score a single mark in the simple Teacher Qualification Examination. Turns out that... the results being released were falsified!"
Shen Bi Ru suddenly recalled something and interjected. Rage could be seen in her beautiful eyes.
Yesterday night, she tested Zhang Xuan and the other party managed to answer her questions easily. Back then, she thought that it was weird. Now, upon hearing the conversation, she 'came to a realisation'.
He must have answered those questions correctly, but the Education Bureau didn't give him the marks for it.
That was to say, there was nothing wrong with his paper, but... the teacher from the Education Bureau marking his paper gave him zero marks!
Why?
Why did he do so?
"It is no wonder that Zhang laoshi refuses to speak up. After all, you are all colleagues. If he were to reveal the truth, not only will it sunder the relationship among you all, it will affect the reputation of the academy as well! Just for this, he is willing to carry the burden of being labelled as 'trash'!" The more clan head Wang Hong pondered about the matter, the more he 'comprehended' and ‘came to a realisation’ of the situation.
Didn't you see how Zhang laoshi was hesitating just a moment ago over revealing the truth?
If it wasn't for him being forced to a corner, he might very well have concealed this secret deep in his heart for the rest of his life. Even if he was misunderstood by everyone else, he would bear this burden silently within... In fact, despite all of your efforts to oppress him, all he did was to display his cultivation without explaining a thing. We even had to guess the details of what happened...
What was an exemplary role model?
This was!
What was a non-materialistic and noble teacher?
This was!
"Once the issue of the bias of the academy were to spread out, everyone will start to doubt the authenticity of the results of the academy's Teacher Qualification Examination, and uncertainty will be cast over the other teacher's ability to teach... If that's the case, the academy will descend into chaos! He would rather be misunderstood by others and bear the burden of it by himself silently than to speak of it. This magnanimity and selflessness..."
An elder from the Wang clan got more and more agitated as he spoke.
To think that there would be such a noble teacher in the world.
It was laughable that we even thought that he was incapable of anything, and that he was a useless trash!
As they spoke, the furious eyes of the crowd turned towards Elder Shang Chen.
Look at him, then look at yourself!
You are both teachers, but why was there such a gap between the conduct of you two?
Zhang laoshi valued friendship and he would rather take all the insults by himself than to betray his own colleagues, yet you all...
"I..."
Shang Chen was about to go frenzied.
The heck, what was going on?
What falsifying results? What value friendship...
You were indeed Zhenqi realm the previous time, and your written paper is a mess. Not getting a single mark at all was perfectly normal given those standards... I personally reviewed the papers myself, so it is impossible for a mistake to occur. How did it turn into me oppressing you?
Zhang Xuan, you are really despicable. I dare you to clarify everything up...
Elder Shang Chen only felt a mouthful of fresh blood swirling in his mouth, ready to spurt out at any moment.
……
Zhang Xuan was shocked upon seeing such a commotion break out.
Actually, what I meant to say is that the Education Bureau made a mistake while marking the examinations, why did the situation... get so out of control?
All of your imaginations are way too wild!
However, cough cough... I kind of like the way things are going...
……
"There should at least be a reason for me to oppress him! As the head of the Education Bureau, an elder of the academy, there’s no reason for me to oppress a low-level teacher!"
As expected of the head of Education Bureau, Elder Shang Chen swiftly found a dissonance in the situation.
There was always a motive and reason behind every action.
Given his esteemed identity, there was no reason for him to scheme against an ordinary teacher!
"Does anything more need to be said about the situation? Your grandson, Shang Bin, wishes to aim for the position of the star teacher of the younger generation, but due to the existence of Zhang laoshi, who possesses an incredible level of cultivation and capability at such a young age, he is unlikely to emerge victorious over him. Thus, in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, you decided to eliminate him from the race!"
The one who spoke this time was Elder Mo. The more he spoke, the more furious he got, to the point that his beard was being blown into the air by his breath. "I might not have concrete proof on this incident, but I have been looking over the situation today from the start to the end. The Enlightenment Will Trial, the bet and the oppression... Shang Chen, you are indeed incredible. To think that I was friends with you for so many years, I, Mo Xiang, must truly be blind!"
Elder Mo viewed villainous acts and villains with contempt. Due to the words of the other party, he made the journey here today to clean up the scums of the teaching circle. Yet, all he saw was Elder Shang using all kinds of methods to oppress Zhang Xuan laoshi.
On the other hand, Zhang laoshi kept using facts to prove his innocence.
Wasn't it clear that there was a problem here?
If even this much was insufficient to prove anything, then wouldn't that mean that I, Mo Xiang, was blind?
"I can also testify that I saw Elder Shang Chen intentionally oppressing Zhang laoshi with my own eyes!"
"For him to do it so apparently before us, who knows what kinds of methods he resort to behind our backs!"
"One really can't judge a person by his cover. To think that the head of the Education Bureau would commit such atrocities for his grandson. He is a beast!"
……
The moment Elder Mo opened his mouth, many people started to chirp in, indignant in Zhang Xuan's stead.
"..."
Elder Shang Chen felt faint-headed and he was on the verge of going crazy.
I... really didn't oppress him. It's just that he trampled on my dignity today, that's why I am finding trouble with him...
If I said that I didn't know much about him before today, only that his standards as a teacher was inadequate, would you all believe me?
However, judging by the furious expression of everyone else, he knew that there was no use trying to explain his way out of it.
The current him was as though mud had fallen into his pants, it was feces regardless of whether it was true or not!
Turning around to look at the one who started all these, Zhang Xuan, his hands were still behind his back and a bewailing expression covered his face, as though he was unwilling to reveal this secret.
The heck you were unwilling!
This was all because of your bullshit!
You were the one who were incapable and scored a zero in the Teacher Qualification Examination, why did it suddenly turn into our Education Bureau falsifying your results and me oppressing you?
How was this incident, in any way, related to me or the Education Bureau?
Pu!
Unable to suppress it any longer, the fresh blood welling in his chest spurted forth.
"Hmph, to think that you still have to cheek to vomit blood after committing such shameful actions. If it was me, I would have long crashed my head on a pillar to commit suicide!"
"How shameless. How did someone like you become the head of the Education Bureau of Hongtian Academy?"
"Not to mention, he is an elder. There is a problem with his character, I think that we should revoke his teaching license..."
……
Upon seeing him spurt blood, not only did no one sympathise with him, their words grew even harsher.
"How did this happen?"
Shang Bin and Cao Xiong were dumbfounded.
Just a moment ago, the winning ticket was in their hands and they were about to achieve victory. How did the situation get reversed so suddenly?
What the heck was going on?
After spurting out a mouthful of blood, Elder Shang Chen felt more comfortable and his head cleared up as well. He gazed at the surroundings and his hand trembled. Then, looking at Zhang Xuan with undisguised hatred, he said, "I am unable to vindicate myself of the claim that you scoring a zero in the Teacher Qualification Examination is oppression on my part. However, what about the student who went berserk? This incident happened in your classroom, how are you going to explain it then?"
You might have millions of reasons and excuses, but a student going berserk in your class is an irrefutable truth. Let's see how you will explain that.
Gedeng, Zhang Xuan's heart beat.
The student’s cultivation going berserk was something that had already happened and cannot be changed.
No matter how much you try to argue otherwise, no matter how glib your tongue is, it is all futile.
Elder Shang Chen knew that no one would believe him no matter how hard he tried to explain the incident with the Teacher Qualification Examination. Even if he were to produce the papers, others would just accuse him of falsifying the papers as well. As such, he decided to bring this entire matter out of the way for now.
"This..."
Zhang Xuan didn't know how to respond to his words.
"Hmph, are you trying to deny the incident? Baiyu laoshi, go and invite Zhao Yanfeng from Lu Xun laoshi's classroom!" Elder Shang Chen said.
Zhou Baiyu was the teacher on duty whereas Zhao Yanfeng was the student whose cultivation was driven berserk by Zhang Xuan previously.
"How did this student... end up in Lu Xun laoshi's class?"
Upon hearing Shang Chen's arrangement, everyone looked at him in puzzlement, even Zhang Xuan was carrying a face of bewilderment.
Based on the memories of his previous self, ever since that fellow’s cultivation went berserk, he had never been to his class. As his previous self was too ashamed to look into the matter, he didn't know that he had gone to Lu Xun laoshi's class.
Besides, who was Lu Xun laoshi?
Hongtian Academy's number one star teacher! Even Elder Mo had said that there was a high possibility of him becoming an Associate Master Teacher in the future. There were countless students who wished to come under his tutelage, so why would he pick someone whose cultivation had once went berserk as his student?
"Upon going berserk, Zhao Yanfeng's fundamentals are damaged and originally, he had intended to withdraw from the academy. However, he was noticed by Lu Xun laoshi and eventually, he was accepted as his student. After a few months of guidance and nursing, not only is the damage he sustained from going berserk gone, his cultivation has also reached Fighter 1-dan Juxi realm pinnacle, ready to break through at any moment!"
Elder Shang Chen said.
"Accepted as Lu Xun laoshi's student? His luck is way too good!"
"To be able to remove the damage he sustained from going berserk within a short period of time, even inducing a rise in his cultivation level, Lu Xun laoshi is indeed incredible!"
……
Upon hearing Elder Shang's words, the crowd was astonished.
Going berserk created great damage to a cultivator, and it was very easy for one’s fundamentals to be wrecked in the midst of it. Cultivation was just like building a house, if the fundamentals weren't in place, it was difficult for the building to rise up high.
To be able to treat the damage a student sustained from his cultivation going berserk so quickly and even pull him up to Juxi realm pinnacle, this Lu Xun laoshi was indeed as formidable as the rumors put him out to be!
Not too long later, the teacher on duty, Baiyu laoshi, returned with a student behind him.
Around sixteen to seventeen year old, he had a slim build, but spirited eyes.
This was the unlucky student who was taught by his previous self... Zhao Yanfeng!
"Elder Shang!"
Walking straight up to Elder Shang upon entering the room, he was bewildered to see so many people in here.
"Un, Zhao Yanfeng. Do you recognise this person?" Elder Shang pointed at Zhang Xuan.
Zhao Yanfeng turned around and noticed Zhang Xuan. His calm face immediately became agitated. Unknowingly, he clenched his fist tightly, as though trying to suppress the rage in his heart.
"He is my previous teacher, Zhang Xuan!"
These words seemed to have been squeezed out through gritted teeth.
Through his actions, it was clear to see that he still held great resentment against Zhang Xuan.
However, that was to be expected. When a student learns from a teacher, he places his trust in him unconditionally. That was equal to entrusting his fate as a cultivator into his hands. If the teacher didn't take responsibility for him, that would be equal to ruining his student's entire future!
His previous self caused the other party's cultivation to go berserk, nearly destroying his future as a cultivator. This made Zhao Yanfeng extremely hostile against him. If it wasn't for his position as a teacher, he might have already made a move on him!
"I've heard that he had once caused you to go berserk. Is that true?"
Seeing Zhao Yanfeng behaving in such a manner, delight surged through Elder Shang's mind as he continued to question him.
"That's true! If not for Lu Xun laoshi saving me, I might already be a cripple!" Zhang Yanfeng said.
"Great!" Upon hearing his confirmation, Elder Shang didn't continue posing questions to him. Instead, he turned to look at Elder Mo and Huang Yu with a savage expression, "Associate Master Teacher Huang, Elder Mo, you should have heard the conversation! Let's not touch on the matter of the Teacher Qualification Examination first. I believe that one day, the truth of the incident will come to light! Instead, let's touch on the matter of him causing the cultivation of his student to go berserk. The victim is here, and if you all have any doubts, you all can continue to question him! Despite being a teacher, he harmed his own student. Just this by itself forms the basis for his teaching license to be revoked!"
"Errr..."
Huang Yu and Elder Mo looked at one another with brows tightly knitted together.
What the other party said was true. The responsibility of a teacher was to clarify doubts and lead his students down the right path. Causing a student's cultivation to go berserk was one of the greatest taboo a teacher could commit. Even if they wanted to help Zhang laoshi, there was nothing that they could do.
"Zhang laoshi, what else do you have to say for yourself? If you feel indignant, you can argue your way out. However, you will have to get past this Zhao Yanfeng first!"
Seeing the two of them remaining silent, Elder Shang Chen finally felt as though he had returned the humiliation Zhang Xuan had caused him back to him. He turned around to look at him mockingly.
So what if you were powerful? So what if you have won the Enlightenment Will Trial?
As long as this weakness stays with you, you will lose your teaching license. Without that amulet to protect you, I will be able to do as I please with you.
Even if I were to kill you, no one will say anything!
Elder Shang Chen had brought the victim over, and the victim had already ascertained it to be true. The eyes of the crowd gathered onto Zhang Xuan to see how he would respond.
Just when everyone thought that he would try to explain the situation and the reasons behind the incident, the young man simply shrugged and said, "Indignant? What do I have to feel indignant about? It is true that I caused his cultivation to go berserk!"
"I knew that you would try to argue your way out. However, Zhao Yanfeng will recount the incident back then clearly... Ah?" Elder Shang Chen thought that the other party would try to defend himself, so he was prepared to refute him. However, before he could finish his words, he suddenly came to a realisation and looked at Zhang Xuan in disbelief. "You... You admit to it?"
This... To think that you would admit to it so readily!
Could it be that he had prepared something beneath his sleeves?
He was already frightened of the other party at this point. After getting slapped in his face consecutively, there was already a trauma at the back of his mind.
"Of course I would admit to it. After all, why would I not admit to something that I have done?"
Zhang Xuan nodded his head.
Causing a student's cultivation to go berserk was a doing of his previous self, it was impossible for him to argue his way out of it. Rather than wasting time arguing about it here, he might as well just come out clean.
"This..."
The crowd was stunned.
His admittance meant that all that was said were facts. If so, the Teacher Guild would be able to establish this case and strip him of his teaching license.
Besides, driving a student's cultivation berserk wasn't something to be proud about. To speak of it so brazenly... Where did your self-confidence come from?
"It is good that you have admitted to it! Associate Master Teacher Huang, Elder Mo, the both of you should have heard it. As a teacher, not only does he feel no remorse over causing a student to go berserk, he even talks about it so brazenly. Such a person is unworthy of being a teacher..."
Shang Chen roared, but before he could finish his words, Zhang Xuan stepped forward and waved his hand, "Enough, how big of an issue is this for you to keep babbling on about it! You are already advanced in age, and yet you still get excited over minor affairs so easily. Aren't you worried that your heart might be unable to take it, causing you to die just like this?"
"You..."
Elder Shang Chen staggered.
You are the one who gets excited easily, your whole damn family gets excited easily!
"Zhao Yanfeng, you have been studying under Lu Xun laoshi? You should have improved considerably. Come, show me your punching routine!"
Can't be bothered with the furious Elder Shang, Zhang Xuan turned his gaze towards the young man.
あなたも好きかも