Chapter 191: The Legend of Zhang Xuan (Part 1)

"I, Lu Xun, have made a modest name for myself in the Tianxuan Kingdom, and I have that confidence. As for whether Teacher Yang will accept me or whether the three million can be refunded, that is none of your concern!"

Seeing that the Three Masters of the Emperor had not spoken, a merchant in a brocade hat and mink coat inquired, and Lu Xun couldn't help but frown.

The fact that the other party could sit with the Three Masters and the Emperor indicated a high status, but Lu Xun also had his pride. Not to mention his family background as the son of an Imperial Teacher, just being the most famous star teacher in the Tianxuan Kingdom at such a young age qualified him to sit as an equal with the heads of major families.

Just like Wang Hong, the head of the Wang family, who would address him as Teacher Lu and dared not act arrogantly.

But this fellow before him was clearly a nouveau riche, lacking any grace. Even if he had some status, so what? I was speaking with His Majesty Shen Zhui; it's not your place to interfere and make comments!

Who do you think you are?

Seeing his confidence, the Three Masters nearly choked on their saliva.

We three genuine masters dare not show the slightest disrespect... and you, a star teacher who is less than an apprentice, are putting on airs?

"I'm not concerned; I just think that if the money isn't refunded, you won't be able to repay it. How will you explain that to His Majesty? Even selling you wouldn't be worth that much!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He had kindly warned him, only to be spoken to like this—truly helpless.

"Sir, please mind your words!"

This time, before Lu Xun could speak, Wang Chao from the side narrowed his eyes: "Teacher Lu Xun is the top star teacher of Hongtian Academy, someone who will become a master sooner or later. Would he default on a mere three million gold coins? What a joke! To put it bluntly, even if others wanted to offer that money, he might not accept it. Do you think a future master's favor is so easily owed?"

"Enough!"

Lu Xun interrupted his friend, standing straight as a spear. Ignoring Zhang Xuan, he clasped his fists to Shen Zhui again: "Your Majesty, you know what kind of person I, Lu Xun, am. Even if Teacher Yang doesn't refund the money, as long as I'm willing, I'm confident I can repay it in a short time. Such a sum won't make me lose my credibility and default!"

Although star teachers are not as good as masters, they can still guide breakthroughs and cultivation. Three million, though huge, could still be earned in a short time if willing.

"This..."

His Majesty Shen Zhui hesitated.

Three million gold coins were nothing to a kingdom; his hesitation was due to fear of displeasing Teacher Yang, who was not far away.

"I've heard that Teacher Yang no longer receives outsiders. Even with money, you might not get to see him!" Ignoring the other's rude attitude, Zhang Xuan continued.

This fellow was Master Lu Chen's son, borrowing money here without the latter's knowledge; he had to dissuade him.

Although they were rivals in the teacher assessment, one thing was another. Master Lu Chen had helped him a lot, and as an elder, he had the right to warn the son when he was being foolish.

"Whether I can see him or not is my own business. Don't you think you're overstepping your bounds and meddling too much?"

Seeing this fellow persistently clueless, Lu Xun finally grew annoyed: "I'm borrowing money from His Majesty, not from you. Whether to lend or not is for His Majesty to decide; it doesn't require your concern here."

With that, he flicked his sleeve.

Are you sick? I'm borrowing money from His Majesty Shen Zhui, and you keep obstructing me, saying I can't repay it, that borrowing is useless—what do you mean?

Do you think I, Lu Xun, am easy to bully?

As a renowned star teacher, if I have no dignity or temper and let people talk nonsense, how can I continue in the Tianxuan Kingdom? Besides, the Three Masters are watching from the stage. If they see me being criticized and acting timid without daring to speak, what qualifications will I have to strive for the title of master apprentice in the future?

"Sir, regardless of your identity, this is a matter between Teacher Lu Xun and His Majesty. Constantly interrupting—don't you think you have a big mouth?"

Wang Chao also snorted coldly.

Who are you? Didn't you see that the Three Masters haven't spoken?

Will you die if you keep quiet?

"Big mouth?"

Zhang Xuan had only kindly advised, hoping to prevent the other from wasting money uselessly, but was instead looked down upon. He shook his head helplessly.

His identity as 'Teacher Yang' would soon disappear. The other's wish to become his apprentice was clearly misguided. He had thought that by meeting and saying a few words, he could dispel this idea, but never dreamed that his kindness would be taken for ill intent.

Not only was the other ungrateful, but he was also seen as a busybody.

However, given the other's attitude, there was nothing to be angry about. If it were him, and he was borrowing money from someone, with the host not speaking and someone else constantly butting in, he would certainly be unhappy too.

"You're Lu Xun, right? I've heard of you before I came. I think Yang... he is right; you should consider it!"

Zhang Xuan ignored the other's sarcasm, but Liu Ling couldn't bear it any longer.

He had originally had a good impression of Lu Xun and even planned to assess him and take him as an apprentice. But at their first meeting, he saw this scene—speaking to Teacher Yang like that, utterly lawless and ignorant of the heavens and earth. That last shred of goodwill vanished instantly.

"Thank you for your advice, Teacher Liu. I have already considered it..."

Hearing Teacher Liu speak, Lu Xun dared not act arrogantly and quickly clasped his fists, his attitude completely different from when speaking to Zhang Xuan.

Seeing that he hadn't grasped his meaning, Liu Ling shook his head and said no more.

Teacher Yang had stopped His Majesty Shen Zhui from revealing his identity, clearly not wanting the other to know. Since that was the case, he wouldn't blurt it out.

"Three million is nothing. Don't talk about borrowing or not. Master Lu Chen is my teacher; I'll just give it to you as a gift!"

Seeing that Teacher Yang showed no sign of displeasure, His Majesty Shen Zhui relaxed and spoke.

This sum meant nothing to some major families, let alone a kingdom. As the son of his teacher, even giving it away was nothing.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! But since I said it's a loan, it's a loan. I don't want to owe him any favors!" Lu Xun waved his hand, his face full of pride.

He had already fallen out with the old man at home; he was himself, and the other was himself.

How could he possibly take advantage of him?

"Go fetch three million gold coins!"

Knowing the discord between father and son, Emperor Shen Zhui said no more and waved to the eunuch at his side.

The eunuch turned and left, returning after a while with a stack of gold notes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I, Lu Xun, will repay it soon—I mean what I say!"

Taking the gold notes, Lu Chen clasped his fists again.

"Mm." Emperor Shen Zhui waved his hand.

If he could repay it, fine; if not, it didn't matter. He wasn't concerned.

Now that the ancestor had broken through to the Grandmaster realm, the Tianxuan Kingdom's national strength would surely grow increasingly prosperous. Once they could attract a renowned master to take charge, even advancing to a second-rank kingdom was not out of the question. A mere three million was nothing.

"Lu Xun (Wang Chao) will not disturb Your Majesty any longer. Farewell!"

With the money in hand, Lu Xun did not linger and turned to leave.

He had only taken a few steps when he stopped, looked up, and gazed at Zhang Xuan not far away.

"I don't know who you are, but being able to discuss matters here with the three masters and His Majesty means you're no ordinary person. Still, I have a word of advice for you!"

"Oh?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"When others are talking, it's best not to interrupt recklessly. Doing so is very annoying!" Lu Xun flicked his sleeve, his expression proud, like a lotus emerging unstained from the mud—pure and lofty—and without pausing, he strode out.

Glancing at Zhang Xuan, Wang Chao sneered and quickly followed.

As soon as the two left, the room fell silent. The three masters looked at each other, utterly speechless.

"Where does that guy get his confidence?"

After who knows how long, Master Zhuang couldn't help but say.

He had been holding it in.

A mere star teacher, not even an apprentice, dared to criticize Master Yang, whom even they treated with caution...

What nerve!

"I was planning to take him as an apprentice, but now I think I'll pass. No manners, no respect for elders..."

Liu Ling also shook his head.

Lu Xun's reputation was great, no longer confined to the Tianxuan Kingdom. Liu Ling and the others had long heard of him, but they never expected their first meeting to be so awkward.

"Master Yang, I'm sorry. He probably... doesn't know who you are. It was an unintentional offense..."

Seeing the three masters somewhat displeased, Emperor Shen Zhui quickly looked at Yang Xuan, the one involved, hoping he wouldn't be angry.

"It's nothing. Achieving so much at such a young age, a bit of pride is inevitable." Zhang Xuan shook his head and stood up. "Alright, since Shen Hong has broken through, I should be going. I hope Your Majesty will quickly gather the complete set of Tongxuan realm cultivation techniques."

"Yes!" Emperor Shen Zhui quickly nodded.

"Farewell!"

After greeting the three masters again, Zhang Xuan saw no reason to stay. He clasped his fists and drifted away, leaving the three masters and Emperor Shen Zhui once again stirred with excitement.

Did you see that?

Anyone else, after helping someone break through, would surely extort and fleece them. But he was as calm as the clouds, taking nothing with him...

He wasn't even angered or annoyed when a junior openly questioned and mocked him.

"This is the true breadth of mind and bearing of a master!"

Liu Ling praised.

"Indeed! I am convinced by this Master Yang. If I could study under him, it would be the greatest fortune of three lifetimes!" Zheng Fei also quickly nodded.

"I had heard of Lu Xun's reputation before, but I never expected him to be like this in person." After sighing, recalling Lu Xun's earlier behavior, Liu Ling shook his head, then thought of something and asked, "Your Majesty mentioned last time that he would be having a teacher assessment with a teacher named Zhang Xuan in a few days. Is that true?"

Having stayed in the Tianxuan Kingdom for a while, he had also paid attention to Hongtian Academy. This matter was no secret; a little inquiry would reveal everything.

"Indeed, it's true." Emperor Shen Zhui nodded.

After returning to the palace, he had received a report from Chancellor Qian and learned of this incident classified as three-star.

The duel between two teachers, though not as earth-shattering as Master Yang Xuan's arrival in the Tianxuan Kingdom, still stirred up a storm and attracted countless eyes.

"The one dueling him, this Zhang Xuan, should also be a star teacher at Hongtian Academy, right? Why have I never heard of him before?"

Master Liu looked over with slight confusion.

Soldiers fight soldiers, generals fight generals. Lu Xun was the top star teacher at Hongtian Academy. This Teacher Zhang, daring to face him, should not be far behind.

But he had heard of many promising young teachers—why had he never come across this name?