Chapter 200 Old Tian

"I..."

Tian Long stood frozen in place, staring at the three renowned masters who were all smiles, even fawning, utterly bewildered. He wanted to say something but couldn't get a word out.

What... is going on?

Zhang Xuan, standing to the side, was even more confused. How could these three idiots have become so foolish after just a few days?

I am Zhang Xuan, you know. What's with that excited look?

It seems the one who swindled your money was Master Yang, not me... The debtor should be paid by the debtor. Even if you've seen through his identity, go ask him for it...

"Ahem, Master Liu, he's not Teacher Zhang. He's Old Tian's grandson, Tian Long..."

Huang Yu couldn't hold back and quickly said.

"Huh? He's not? Then why are you pretending? You made me happy for nothing!" Glaring at Tian Long, Zheng Fei snorted coldly, wishing he could slap him.

Seeing his fierce gaze, Tian Long's tears streamed down.

It's not that I'm pretending. You rushed over and immediately identified me as Teacher Zhang Xuan, not even giving me a chance to refute. I was scared out of my wits, okay...

No wonder the three masters mistook him. Tian Long was taller and better-looking than Zhang Xuan. Huang Yu only said he was beside her, but before she could specify left or right, Lu Xun interrupted. At first glance, they naturally assumed this tall, handsome man was the one they were looking for.

"He's not, then... where is Teacher Zhang?" Liu Ling looked over again.

"I am Zhang Xuan..."

Knowing there was no way to avoid it, Zhang Xuan had no choice but to brace himself.

"So you are Teacher Zhang? Truly as graceful as a jade tree in the wind, a man of striking appearance." Liu Ling stepped forward and said with a smile.

"Indeed, so handsome and charismatic, outstanding and exceptional—I recognized you at a glance." Zhuang Shi also spoke.

"You truly are a model teacher of Tianxuan Kingdom. Not bad, not bad." Zheng Fei followed closely.

"..."

Zhang Xuan's forehead was covered in black lines.

I am graceful as a jade tree in the wind, a man of striking appearance, outstanding and exceptional, handsome and charismatic?

If that's the case, then how could you still mistake me? You thought Tian Long was me?

I never expected that esteemed masters would also lie through their teeth... and with such confidence.

Where is your face?

Where is your dignity?

"May I ask what business the three masters have with me?"

Seeing their gazes growing increasingly eager, Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back and quickly spoke.

"Oh, there are too many people here. Let's find a place to talk in detail!" Liu Ling said.

With so many people watching, how could he possibly say that they had heard of his many deeds, specially gone to the academy to investigate, and now wanted to take him as an apprentice?

If he really said that, not only would others think they were crazy, but this Zhang Xuan in front of them would probably be scared off directly.

Which famous teacher recruits apprentices so eagerly?

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

Given the other party's attitude, they probably didn't know he was "Yang Xuan"; otherwise, they would have made a move long ago.

Since that was the case, he also happened to want to inquire about the black aura, so he might as well agree directly.

"Let's go!"

Seeing that this Teacher Zhang was so easy to deal with, the three of them breathed a sigh of relief, surrounded him in the middle, as if afraid he might run away, and walked forward.

The crowd was puzzled and astonished; not far away, Lu Xun's heart was collapsing.

He had thought that with the arrival of the three renowned masters, as soon as he revealed his identity, he would be appreciated and thus smoothly become Master Liu's apprentice, gaining fame across the land. But... what was happening before his eyes?

Having heard his name, they ignored him completely, instead rushing straight toward Zhang Xuan, whom he had always looked down upon, with a friendly attitude...

Hadn't he been told he was the designated apprentice of a master?

This Zhang Xuan was just a low-level teacher with such a poor reputation; why were they surrounding him?

Gritting his teeth, he stepped forward.

"Master Liu... I am Lu Xun, Lu Xun, the star teacher of Hongtian Academy..."

"Oh, I know. We met last time at the palace." Liu Ling nodded and pushed him aside: "Alright, move out of the way. I have matters to discuss with Teacher Zhang. Go away, don't get in the way!"

“……”

Stumbling, he then saw Teacher Liu walking away. Lu Xun felt his whole body go stiff, and he wished he could die.

No matter what, I am a star teacher, ranked first in the Tianxuan Kingdom. A simple 'I've seen you' and that's it? Shouldn't he at least ask a couple of questions? And pushing me aside, as if I'm in the way...

As for that Zhang Xuan, he was afraid of losing him, so he had the three valued people surround him. But as for me...

Lu Xun was filled with heartache.

Can someone tell me what exactly happened?

Suppressing the urge to vomit blood, he turned his head to look at Tian Long not far away.

Don't you have inside information?

Didn't you say Teacher Liu wrote a letter saying he wanted to take me as his apprentice?

Who the hell has ever seen a teacher not even glance at his apprentice?

“I…”

Seeing his expression, Tian Long was also going crazy.

I really did read that letter. What's going on? I don't know either…

The two were tangled in confusion, while Wang Chao on the side felt as if his face had been slapped red.

Just now, he was the most enthusiastic about Zhang Xuan, and also believed that Lu Xun's status as a famous teacher's apprentice was set in stone, no doubt about it. But it turned out he was publicly slapped in the face, and in the harshest way possible!

Saying someone is a foil, a springboard for takeoff—how does it feel? After all this fuss, it seems Lu Xun is the foil and springboard?

And he still thinks the other is shameless and should jump off a building... The one who should jump is himself!

Perhaps...

Wang Chao, along with Lu Xun and Tian Long, all turned to look at Huang Yu and Bai Xun.

If anyone among them knew what was really going on, it would be those two.

One was an apprentice of Teacher Liu, the other a student of Teacher Zhuang.

And it was they who had brought Zhang Xuan.

"We... don't know either!"

Huang Yu quickly shook his head.

The three teachers had only told them to find Zhang Xuan, not what they intended to do. Even now, they were full of question marks.

In their minds, whether Teacher Liu or Teacher Zhuang, they were always serious and aloof, high above. Yet now they were like groupies, clustering around Teacher Zhang Xuan. Even seeing it with their own eyes, they found it hard to believe.

"How about... we go take a look?"

None of them could figure out what was happening, and unable to hold back any longer, they followed closely.

Especially Lu Xun. If he didn't get an answer today, he wouldn't be able to sleep—he'd be furious to death.

Earlier, he had been so arrogant, feeling it beneath him to associate with Zhang Xuan. Now, the three great teachers were clinging to that man... while he was tossed into a corner...

What was so good about this guy that the three teachers wouldn't even glance at him?

...

"Your Majesty, Teachers Liu, Zhuang, and Zheng, my master has sent me to welcome you specially."

Before they had gone far, an old man came to greet them.

The steward of the Tian residence, Tian Gang.

"Mm," Teacher Liu nodded.

Although he very much wanted to tell Zhang Xuan right now that he intended to take him as a disciple, this was, after all, Old Man Tian's birthday banquet, and he couldn't steal the spotlight.

"This way, please. My master is already waiting in the main hall." Tian Gang led the way.

"Teacher Zhang, let's go together. Old Man Tian was once my tea ceremony teacher; he is a kind person," Liu Ling explained with a smile.

Faced with such a friendly attitude from the three teachers, Zhang Xuan could only nod in agreement.

After a few steps, he saw Emperor Shen Zhui approach, smiling warmly as he looked over.

"Teacher Zhang Xuan, I've long heard of your fame. Truly, a hero is born young. You will surely shine brilliantly and become renowned across the land. In the future, if you have any needs, just tell me. Although the Tianxuan Kingdom is not a powerful nation, it lacks no resources. As long as we can find it, we will spare no effort and do our duty!"

Hearing this promise, Zhang Xuan's expression grew even more peculiar.

He could tell that Emperor Shen Zhui was intentionally showing goodwill, but... he was just an ordinary teacher at the academy. What qualifications did he have to warrant goodwill from a king?

Besides, what you heard before... was probably my reputation as a good-for-nothing...

How, in just a few days, had these people all changed like this, with such good attitudes?

He had been disguised as Teacher Yang all this time, not appearing as Teacher Zhang!

Zhang Xuan couldn't understand what had happened to make these people's attitudes change like this.

But it was fine. Earlier, he had thought that with their high status, it would be hard to approach them as Zhang Xuan. Now it seemed he had overthought it...

After a few days without showing up, he really didn't know that the name Zhang Xuan had become so impressive.

Even the king and the great teachers were rushing to curry favor.

Seeing that the young man across from him merely nodded slightly and said nothing more, his expression calm, Emperor Shen Zhui sighed inwardly.

Truly someone worthy of being noticed by the three teachers. Just this temperament alone was remarkable.

If it were any other young person, praised by the emperor and given such a promise, they would surely be smug and self-important. But look at him—calm and composed, unmoved. This steadiness in the face of a collapsing mountain was admirable.

He admired him silently, but he didn't know that Zhang Xuan, the person in question, wasn't being steady—he was... distracted.

Besides, having disguised himself as Teacher Yang these days, he had grown accustomed to interacting with them and no longer felt pressured, so naturally he was relaxed.

Following the steward, they soon arrived at a spacious hall.

As soon as they entered, the aroma of tea hit them, refreshing their spirits.

"You're here, sit!"

An old man sat in the center of the hall. Before him was a set of exquisite tea utensils, white steam rising from hot water, the tea fragrance wafting from there.

"Shen Zhui (Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei) pays respects to Old Man Tian!"

They stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed behind and looked at the old man before him.

Celebrating his ninetieth birthday, he looked about seventy. With a snow-white beard, from a distance he gave an impression of an immortal.

"Mm."

Responding, the old man waved his hand casually without raising his head.

He picked up a tea cup, slowly poured in hot water, and the tea leaves immediately released a faint fragrance. With a gentle stroke of his hand, the tea set seemed to grow limbs, and the scalding tea streamed straight into it.

His technique was fluid and graceful, giving a special aesthetic pleasure. Before even tasting the tea, one couldn't help but admire and find it hard to look away.

It was a complete enjoyment.

"So this is the tea ceremony? Impressive!"

Earlier, he had thought the tea ceremony was not comparable to alchemy or such, but seeing this old man's movements, he realized that being one of the nine professions was indeed extraordinary.

"Please!"

The old man waved, and several maids came over to carry the filled tea cups to Emperor Shen Zhui and the three great teachers.

There were six cups in total; four were served, leaving two.

After the tea was served, the old man wiped his hands, raised his head to look at everyone, and only then noticed Zhang Xuan. He couldn't help but pause.

"And this is..."