Chapter 199: You Must Be Teacher Zhang Xuan!

"Lu Xun, what do you mean?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Yu on the side could no longer hold back.

What scolding? What loss of reputation?

Teacher Zhang was invited to the birthday banquet by the three masters; how does it become a disgrace in your mouth?

"Nothing much. One's status determines where one belongs. Miss Huang Yu, I know you are a teaching assistant, deeply trusted and favored by Master Liu. However, you cannot act willfully. This is Elder Tian's birthday banquet—you'd better watch your step! Who is Elder Tian? Master Liu's former teacher, with a bond half as strong as that of a master. Bringing a disreputable low-level teacher here—if it displeases Master Liu, it will be troublesome!"

Lu Xun shook his head.

His expression showed neither sarcasm nor anger, as if he were merely stating the plainest fact.

In his eyes, whether Zhang Xuan's teacher qualification exam score was truly zero or not didn't matter. This fellow was just a low-level teacher, unqualified to attend such a high-level banquet. Forcing him here would only drag down one's own standing.

It was like bringing a beggar to a fancy restaurant—no matter how well-dressed or elegant you were, being dragged down by your companion would turn you into a laughingstock.

A dragon with a phoenix is a dragon; with a pig, it becomes a dog.

"You..."

Hearing this, Huang Yu was about to say more when Zhang Xuan waved his hand, walked to the table, and sat down.

Casually picking up a teacup, he poured a full bowl of tea and looked up at the two self-righteous star teachers before him.

"After all this fuss, I'm a disreputable low-level teacher. If that's the case... why did you, Great Teacher Lu, challenge me to a teacher evaluation? Wouldn't that tarnish your illustrious reputation?"

He had originally ignored these two showing off, but now...

Were they asking for it? Couldn't they be happy without stepping on him?

Hearing this, Huang Yu and Bai Xun exchanged glances, both sighing in admiration—truly worthy of Master Zhang, his words were sharp.

Exactly. Didn't you say bringing him would drag you down?

If so, why would you, a great star teacher, compete with him? Isn't that slapping your own face?

"You?" Lu Xun chuckled lightly, showing no sign of being slapped in the face. He lifted his eyelids: "You're just a stepping stone for my ascent. If you blame anyone, blame your bad luck for crossing my path."

"Stepping stone?"

"That's right. Tomorrow's teacher evaluation will surely attract Master Yang and the three renowned teachers. Then Brother Lu will showcase his teaching achievements, and the four masters will be impressed. Brother Lu will leap through the dragon gate and become a true teaching assistant apprentice. And you'll just be a foil!"

Wang Chao chuckled lightly, looking at him with pity.

Just a stepping stone, and he actually thought he was someone?

To be honest, stepping on you was a sign of respect—you should feel honored.

"Are you so sure you'll win?"

Only then did he realize the other party's intention. Zhang Xuan shook his head.

He didn't know what Third Master thought, but 'Master Yang' would definitely not come to see, and moreover, would not accept this Lu Xun as an apprentice.

"Actually, winning or losing doesn't matter. There might be something else going on that you don't know about!"

Wang Chao and Lu Xun were about to continue speaking when Tian Long on the side laughed.

"What?"

Wang Chao looked over.

Tian Long smiled lightly, his face full of confidence: "Master Liu's visit to Wang City this time to congratulate my grandfather on his birthday is just one of his purposes. The main one is to accept Brother Lu as an assistant. This matter was originally a secret, but Master Liu mentioned it in his letter to the old man. I happened to see it and know all the details."

"Oh? Really?"

Apparently unaware of this news, Lu Xun's eyes lit up.

"Of course. With Brother Lu's great reputation, it's only natural to gain the appreciation of a renowned master. Master Liu is a student of my grandfather; he dared not conceal anything and wrote everything in the letter. Knowing this, I was asked to send you the invitation and invite you here, intending to introduce you and eventually have a teacher-student reunion, accepting you as a disciple on the spot, making it a celebrated story!"

Tian Long said.

"Thank you for the kindness of Elder Tian..."

Hearing the other party speak so confidently, Lu Xun stood up, his face full of excitement.

Knowing that there was no hope with Master Yang, he turned his attention back to Third Master. However, Third Master seemed to be absent these past two days, and every visit was unsuccessful, which made him somewhat anxious.

I thought it would fall through like with Master Yang, but I never dreamed that Master Liu had already taken a liking to me.

This is really great.

"It seems we'll be fellow apprentices from now on..."

Smiling happily, Lu Xun looked at Huang Yu with a kind expression.

"Who's your fellow apprentice!" Huang Yu snorted coldly.

She didn't know what Master Liu was thinking, but since Tian Long dared to say that, he must be confident. Could it be... that she really would be in the same school as this guy?

Huang Yu was a bit conflicted.

His smug self-righteousness annoyed her greatly.

But to be honest, he did have real ability, which even she admired.

Without a renowned teacher, he had still made a name for himself in the Tianxuan Kingdom, so he must have deep insights into teaching students.

"Did you hear that? Brother Lu is about to become a master's apprentice. Do you still have the face to stay here?"

Overjoyed by the good news, Wang Chao looked again at the indifferent Zhang Xuan sitting in front of him, feeling even more disgusted.

"About to become? He hasn't been accepted yet, has he?"

Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered with their excitement.

He hadn't expected that Master Liu had already set his sights on Lu Xun, and he couldn't help but consider using the identity of 'Yang Xuan' to dissuade him.

After all, if 'Yang Xuan' really took Liu Ling as a student, Lu Xun would be his grand-disciple. This guy was so self-righteous and pretentious...

Having such a grand-disciple would be very unpleasant!

He didn't really want one!

'Keep pretending. Let's see if you can keep it up later...'

Seeing that this guy wouldn't shed tears even before the coffin and was still putting on airs, the two who desperately wanted to become his grand-disciples had contempt in their eyes.

They had seen people who didn't know their place, but never someone so clueless.

Once the Third Master arrived, Lu Xun would immediately become a master's teaching assistant. Since it had come to this, how could he still have the nerve to stay here... How shameless!

And he was sitting there motionless, pouring tea and drinking... How could he swallow that tea!

If it were me, I would have jumped off a building from shame long ago...

'Heh, Brother Wang, you can't say that. I just heard Xiaoyu and Young Prince Bai calling this Teacher Zhang a Grandmaster Zhang. I heard he's a great calligraphy and painting master, quite impressive!'

Seeing Zhang Xuan's thick skin beyond imagination, Tian Long said with a half-smile.

'Great calligraphy and painting master?'

Lu Xun clasped his hands behind his back, looking askance with disdain: 'Talking to me about great calligraphy and painting masters? Don't you find it ridiculous? There's a limit to bragging!'

Although he hadn't been home for years, he knew how difficult it was to become a great calligraphy and painting master.

A notoriously useless teacher at the academy, somehow connected to Huang Yu, had made a bit of a stir, and now he was getting carried away with his act?

'Yes, Brother Tian must have misheard. Brother Lu was born into a calligraphy and painting family. His father, Master Lu Chen, is the most accomplished calligraphy and painting master in the Tianxuan Kingdom, and even Emperor Shen Zhui studied under him. Brother Lu has been exposed to this stuff since childhood. How could he not know whether there's a great master in the kingdom?'

Wang Chao also shook his head with a smile.

'With you two speaking up, I feel relieved. I almost thought it was true just now, because Yuan Yu...'

Tian Long was about to mention Master Yuan Yu's attitude earlier when he heard a commotion downstairs.

'Hurry, the Third Master is here!'

'And Emperor Shen Zhui, go up to welcome him...'

Murmurs arose.

'The Third Master and Emperor Shen Zhui are here?'

Hearing the commotion below, Tian Long immediately fell silent and looked at Lu Xun and the others: 'Brother Lu, Brother Wang, let's go down to welcome them too!'

'Alright!'

With the three great masters arriving, no one in the room could sit still, and they all went downstairs.

'Senior Huang Yu, let's go welcome the teacher!'

Lu Xun smiled.

'Who's your senior...' Huang Yu snorted and looked at Zhang Xuan.

'Let's go down!'

Knowing that as a student, Huang Yu had to greet her teacher, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Besides, he had come here to see the Third Master, so since they were here, it was a good opportunity to go over.

With a rustle,

the group filed out. By now, the first floor was empty.

Stepping out of the hall, they indeed saw several figures approaching on the path ahead—none other than the three great masters Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei, and Emperor Shen Zhui.

These people were extremely respectful before Master Yang, but here, they still carried an imposing presence.

'Greetings to Master Liu, Master Zhuang, Master Zheng, and Your Majesty!'

Among those attending the birthday banquet were many clan heads and elders, all now bowing their heads.

'We are here to celebrate Old Tian's birthday, just like you. Please don't stand on ceremony.'

Emperor Shen Zhui smiled.

He spoke lightly, but the crowd dared not relax; they all smiled ingratiatingly and remained silent.

'Let's go over!'

Seeing the three masters and Emperor Shen Zhui approaching, Tian Long smiled and led Lu Xun and Wang Chao forward. Huang Yu, as a master's apprentice, could not lag behind and walked side by side with Bai Xun and Zhang Xuan.

'Teacher!'

Upon reaching them, Huang Yu and Bai Xun bowed simultaneously.

'Did you invite him?'

Seeing the two, Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian, and Zheng Fei's eyes lit up at the same time.

For the past two days, they had been changing disguises and waiting outside Hongtian Academy, hoping to catch Zhang Xuan and see if they could take him as an apprentice. They never dreamed that the guy hadn't returned at all, as if he had vanished, and even Emperor Shen Zhui couldn't find a trace.

With no choice, they had to send Huang Yu and Bai Xun to find him. They hadn't held much hope, but now seeing no disappointment on their faces, they felt a stir in their hearts.

'We did. He's right beside me...'

Huang Yu was about to introduce him when Lu Xun interrupted, stepping forward excitedly with clasped hands: 'I am Lu Xun. Greetings to Master Liu, Master Zhuang, Master Zheng...'

After introducing himself, he expected the three great masters to immediately show great delight, inquire about his well-being, and take him as an apprentice. Instead, they ignored him completely, as if they hadn't seen him, and headed straight for Tian Long, surrounding him with beaming smiles.

'You must be Teacher Zhang Xuan. Finally, we get to meet you in person. You've been hard to find...'

'Huh?' Tian Long stood frozen in place.