Chapter 684: Great Waves Rising Again

The system didn’t give any reaction. It was as if Sun Mo was a detestable stinky salted fish.

On the other side, Cao Xian’s attitude was bad, but Fang Haoran was in no mood to argue with him.

(The reason I’ve come to the Central Province Academy is really not to help the Myriad Daos Academy. Instead, I want to help you.)

“Sigh, what is this?”

Fang Haoran felt upset. He thought that as a 5-star great teacher, if he were to show his inclination to join the Central Province Academy, they would definitely feel very thankful and show him great respect.

Who could have expected that Mei Yazhi would come?

Not only was she a 6-star great teacher, but the subject she specialized in also clashed with his.

This was like how an invincible high school basketball player had joined a team excitedly, wanting to lead everyone to higher grounds, but it turned out that the team had a Harden-level major character.

“What the hell!”

Fang Haoran felt as if he had eaten a mouthful of feces.

His importance had definitely plunged.

“Teacher Sun, I’ve long since wanted to express my gratitude toward you.”

The Myriad Daos Academy’s great teachers circle left sheepishly, but Fang Haoran stayed behind, squeezing out a smile. “It’s just that I came in a hurry and haven’t brought any gifts. I’ll definitely make up for it next time.”

“Teacher Fang, there’s no need for that. It’s already the greatest gift that you can come to the Central Province Academy.”

Sun Mo smiled then called out. “Headmaster An, please come and receive Great Teacher Fang!”

“Headmaster An!”

Fang Haoran greeted An Xinhui and then saw Sun Mo leaving. This made him feel stunned and he frowned a little. It seemed that he wasn’t viewed in high regard?

No!

He mustn’t think of it this way. An Xinhui had personally come to receive him, and her attitude was also very respectful. They had shown him sufficient respect. However, what he wanted was Sun Mo’s good impression.

But soon, Fang Haoran stopped feeling upset.

It was because Sun Mo didn’t pay any heed to Mei Yazhi either. However, this 6-star great teacher took the initiative to walk to his side and spoke to him.

Since Sun Mo treated even a 6-star great teacher in this manner, then all the more he wouldn’t be considered much.

Stay calm!

Having good looks really had its benefits. Even a reputable female great teacher liked him.

Fang Haoran touched his aging face.

En, there was no need to hurry. He could first join the school and take on a teaching position here. He’d have plenty of time to get into good terms with Sun Mo.

An Xinhui didn’t mind Fang Haoran for not sticking to his position because his lifespan was on the line. After all, only Sun Mo’s God Hands would be able to allow him to extend his life.

Gu Xiuxun watched as Sun Mo spoke with Mei Yazhi. That quiet lady with long, straight black hair also walked over, standing by his side gracefully like a narcissus flower.

The masochist’s lips twitched, feeling displeased.

She wanted to have a celebratory banquet for Sun Mo, but it seemed impossible now.

…

The great teachers group battle ended, but the students’ interests were still piqued. They talked amongst themselves as they walked. Those potential new students who hadn’t enrolled in the school yet seemed especially elated.

“You guys are really lucky. You don’t often get to see group battles like this.”

A senior student noticed how beautiful Qin Yaoguang was and his eyes lit up. He got closer and introduced himself. “What do you think? Our school will be having a 6-star guest professor, and she also excels in alchemy. This is the most popular subject at the moment.”

“I like spirit runes!”

Qin Yaoguang smiled sweetly. Even the breaths she exhaled seemed to have the scent of pearflower candies, making this fifth-year senior intoxicated.

“Oh? Spirit runes aren’t bad either. Why are you interested in spirit runes?”

The senior’s method of chatting girls up was to pick topics that they were interested in.

“Sun Mo!”

Qin Yaoguang’s reply was very simple.

“What?”

The senior was a little stunned. (You’re interested in Sun Mo? I don’t know much about him.) However, it was bad for silence to persist in a conversation, so he continued, “I can introduce you to a few spirit rune teachers from our Central Province Academy. I guarantee that you won’t make a wrong choice.”

“No need. If it isn’t taught by Teacher Sun, I won’t be interested to learn!”

Qin Yaoguang refused and hastened her footsteps, wanting to keep a distance from this guy.

“Uhh!”

The senior understood. (You aren’t really interested in the study of spirit runes, right? Even I want to become Teacher Sun’s student, let alone you.)

However, this should be very difficult. After today’s battle, Sun Mo would surpass the twin jade annulus of Jinling—Liu Mubai and Fang Wuji—and become the number one rising star in Jinling City.

The queue of people who wanted to become Sun Mo’s personal disciples could probably stretch three rounds around Jinling City.

“Oh right!”

Qin Yaoguang stopped and turned back, smiling. “I don’t like guys like you. You’re too much of a flirt and skinny. I like those who are slightly fatter. They’ll give off a sense of security.”

This male student had many girlfriends before because he came from a rich family, and his looks weren’t bad either. He felt that the quality of his past girlfriends was very high.

However, after comparing them with this young lady, they were very ordinary.

Qin Yaoguang’s good look was pure yet had a hint of charm. This was especially so when she smiled, as she’d look like a ball of fire that could ignite any guy like a moth flying into the flames.

“Should I eat one more bowl of rice today?”

The guy pinched his stomach. For some reason, when he looked at Qin Yaoguang’s disappearing back view, he felt a little dejected.

…

On the school grounds, Zheng Qingfang had both hands behind his back, strolling around leisurely. Next to him was Qi Mu`en, the husband of the Great Tang’s Eldest Princess.

“How is it?”

Zheng Qingfang smiled.

“A towering figure amongst everyone.”

Qi Mu`en exclaimed.

“I told you long ago that it wouldn’t be a disgrace for Sun Mo to be your niece’s teacher.”

Zheng Qingfang felt very proud. It was because to major characters like them, possessing a great judgment was very worthy to be boasted about.

“It’ll still depend on the Eldest Princess’s attitude!”

Qi Mu`en no longer had any objections. In his opinion, Sun Mo had limitless potential, but the one to decide whether Sun Mo would stay or leave was the Eldest Princess.

What if his wife didn’t want a new teacher with great potential but a secondary saint?

After all, if the status of Li Ziqi’s teacher wasn’t high enough, it’d be an embarrassment to the Great Tang Empire.

“That’s true!”

Zheng Qingfang was stunned but then let out a sigh. That Eldest Princess was a person with extremely high expectations. In this world, there were only three-and-a-half great teachers whom she admired.

“Sun Mo might be very talented. He would be able to reach the level of the number one teacher in Central Province within twenty years, but wouldn’t these twenty years be a waste for Ziqi?

“If Ziqi were to receive the teaching from a 9-star great teacher right now, how would her growth be twenty years later?”

Qi Mu`en felt emotional. “Moreover, Ziqi is His Majesty’s most beloved daughter. I heard that His Majesty is even planning on making her the successor of the throne.”

Hearing this, Zheng Qingfang was stunned and he quickly stopped Qi Mu`en. “Prince Consort Ma, please speak with care!”

Since ancient times, the title of Crown Prince had always been given to the oldest son. In the future, Ziqi could just be given more territory and noble titles.

To put her on the throne?

Was His Majesty crazy?

(Damn it, is this guy trying to sound me out?)

Zheng Qingfang’s countenance remained unchanged, but his thoughts were in a mess. Although he had retired from his position, he was still one of the leaders of the literary officials.

Qi Mu`en might be trying to sound out the literary officials’ opinion on the successor to the throne.

“I misspoke.”

Prince Consort Qi smiled awkwardly, secretly cursing this old crafty fox for not divulging any bit of information.

Although the two of them had quite a good relationship in private, when it involved such serious matters, they’d have to fight to the bitter end if they were supporting different potential successors to the throne.

“Prince Consort Qi, no matter what you guys are thinking, the rules set by the ancestors mustn’t be violated. There is no way Ziqi will be able to succeed the throne.”

Li Ziqi was docile, smart, graceful, and intellectual. She could be said to completely meet Zheng Qingfang’s sense of beauty. This was why he liked this girl a lot. However, supporting her for the position of the throne was a completely different story.

(Even if I were to suffer from dementia, I won’t support her!)

Zheng Qingfang’s lips twitched.

“Hehe, if Sun Mo were to receive the Eldest Princess’s recognition, then he’d be an imperial preceptor of the Great Tang Empire. He would have the right and obligation to participate in the Central Province’s imperial preceptor battle. The battles there wouldn’t be as simple as the ones today.”

Qi Mu`en still felt that it was impossible for Sun Mo to gain the recognition of his wife, Li Xiu. After all, being the Great Tang’s imperial preceptor wasn’t just an honor but also a heavy responsibility.

Given Sun Mo’s capability, there was no way that he’d be able to take such heavy responsibilities.

Zheng Qingfang frowned.

That was right. He should still remind Sun Mo to let him make his preparations earlier. If he was really conferred the title of imperial preceptor by His Majesty, then he must participate in the Central Province’s imperial preceptor battle.

This was a battle that had the empire’s prosperity on the line.

…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After listening to the butler reporting the results of the battle between the Myriad Daos Academy and the Central Province Academy, Li Zixing grabbed a vase and smashed it into the butler’s face.

He then smashed the entire study.

Those expensive calligraphy and drawings that were done by famous masters were all ruined by him.

There was no helping it. He couldn’t hold it in.

“Sun Mo, there’s no way that we’d be able to reconcile!”

Li Zixing bellowed explosively.

Outside the room, the maids and servants were all silent like winter cicadas, curling their shoulders and lowering their heads, looking like penguins. They were afraid to be implicated by the prince’s fury.

“Where is Cao Xian, that good-for-nothing? Go and call him here!”

Li Zixing scolded furiously, “Are the people outside all dead? Come in and drag the corpse away. If I don’t see a clean and tidy study within three minutes, I’ll skin all of you!”

A butler was holding onto a letter that was scorching hot in his hands. His forehead was breaking out in cold sweat.

(This isn’t good news either. If I were to report this, would I also be killed?)

“Who sent this letter?”

Ni Jingting walked over quietly.

“Great Teacher Ni, this is from Headmaster Cao. I heard that he seems to have tendered his resignation.”

This was where the butler was smart. After receiving the letter, he immediately investigated the entire series of events. Hence, once the prince asked, he’d be able to answer any questions in detail.

“Resignation?”

Ni Jingting was stunned, but he also understood how damaging it would be after they lost the great teachers group battle. The Myriad Daos Academy could forget about recovering for at least three years.

“Give me the letter!”

Ni Jingting reached his hand out.

“Thank you, Great Teacher Ni.”

The butler seemed as if he had been granted great amnesty, and he quickly passed the hot potato away.

Ni Jingting entered the study and waved his hand, getting all the servants who were cleaning up the place to leave the room.

“Teacher Ni!”

Li Zixing greeted him calmly.

Ni Jingting felt unhappy about this. Ever since he had been suppressed by Sun Mo in the tea party the other day, his status in Li Zixing’s heart had plunged.

“Cao Xian has resigned!”

Ni Jingting handed the letter to Li Zixing.

“What?”

Li Zixing took the letter and quickly tore it open. After taking a few glances, he shredded it up angrily. “This goddamn Cao Xian! What is going to happen to my school if you leave?”

“There is a need to think of a solution. The people’s hearts are wavering and if we don’t stabilize the situation, we’ll probably fall to ‘D’ grade this year.”

After Ni Jingting said that, Li Zixing jolted up to his feet and headed out.

“Prepare the horse carriage! I’m heading out!”

Li Zixing’s gaze was very savage. “Sun Mo, An Xinhui, you guys force me to do this. This time around, it’s either you die or my Myriad Daos Academy perishes.”

However, when Li Zixing arrived at the doors, he stopped and asked,

“What do you think of Sun Mo?”

Ni Jingting shrugged. “Someone like him is destined to great heights. The option is to either not offend them so that we won’t be in trouble in the future, or we crush him completely, not giving him the chance to rise.”

Ni Jingting also had the position of an advisor. Therefore, although what he said was vicious, given his position, there was nothing wrong with that.

“I understand!”

Li Zixing nodded. (Let’s do him in then!)

…

At the same time, in a private room of a restaurant.

Yu Yuhong kept on chugging wine.

Yue Rongbo had suddenly disappeared. When Yu Yuhong asked Cao Xian about it, she was told that Yue Rongbo had taken a leave and there was something important he needed to attend to. But what was it that he couldn’t tell his confidante?

“Teacher, please don’t drink so much!”

Miao Yu tried to persuade her. “Teacher Yue will be fine!”

“But I have been feeling unsettled of late!”

Yu Yuhong felt worried.

“Have you heard of how Sun Mo single-handedly wiped out half of the Myriad Daos Academy’s great teachers group? If Teacher Yue had been around, we wouldn’t have lost so badly.

Miao Yu sighed. “What has happened has already happened. We’ll need to think of other paths to take. The Myriad Daos Academy clearly doesn’t have any prospects anymore.”

“What do you think about us joining the Central Province Academy? I heard that Teacher Yue’s relationship with Sun Mo isn’t bad?”

Both of them were members of Yue Rongbo’s great teachers circle.

Yu Yuhong, who had been fretting, had her eyes lit up at the mention of Sun Mo. (That’s right, I can go and ask Sun Mo for help.)

…

Both Sun Mo and An Xinhui played host to Mei Yazhi and Mei Ziyu that night, arranging for them to stay at a villa that was close to the Central Province Academy.

After that, the two of them headed back to school under the starlight.

The summer wind was a little chilly. It seemed that it was going to rain soon.

“That place used to be our property in the past, but I sold it off because we couldn’t keep up with the expense.”

At the mention of this, An Xinhui looked depressed and reproachful. “I’m really useless!”

“No one can become a wise ruler and headmaster right off the bat. Everyone needs to go through tempering,” Sun Mo consoled her.

“Isn’t it just a few properties? We’ll buy them all back!”

Sun Mo, who came from modern society, had a strong obsession with properties.

However, An Xinhui thought that Sun Mo was being considerate to her and couldn’t help but break into a smile. She then quickly restrained the smile.

(I’m the elder sister. I must be restrained and uphold my image.)

In the past, Sun Mo had wanted to hold hands with his girlfriend and take a stroll on the school grounds, enjoying the quiet moonlight. It’d definitely be very romantic.

However, his wish hadn’t been fulfilled. Although there was a chance to do so today, he didn’t pay it much heed because the system’s voice rang out at impeccable timing.