Chapter 560: Wealth Moves Men's Hearts

He had thought their demands would be high, but they turned out to be so simple.

To become the leader of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance and kill a minor figure at the initial stage of the second level of Mortal Transformation—such conditions, anyone would agree to.

It was almost like getting something for nothing.

"Everyone, don't rush!"

Just as everyone was excited and vying for the opportunity, Ding Hong looked around: "Let me finish speaking before you decide!"

Everyone stopped and looked over.

"The person I want to kill, though not strong in strength, has a special identity—he is a master teacher, and he is exactly one of the participants from Ten Thousand Cities City in this competition!"

Ding Hong said.

"A master teacher from Ten Thousand Cities City participating in the competition? You mean... Zhang Xuan, the master teacher who has recently risen to fame?"

Everyone was stunned.

As opponents in the competition, even if Ten Thousand Cities City was not particularly notable, they had still heard of Zhang Xuan's name.

Under twenty, he had stood out in the selection and even passed the examination for a four-star master teacher on the spot, attracting much attention.

Kill this person?

Those who had been clamoring just now all fell silent instantly.

Master teachers could not be killed lightly; otherwise, if the headquarters investigated, no one could bear the consequences.

Especially for someone like this who had recently gained fame—once they acted, their own factions would likely face scrutiny and investigation.

"What enmity do you have with Teacher Zhang?"

Frowning, Sect Leader Luo Huang looked over.

Master teachers could not be killed lightly, but it was not impossible. To do so, one must meet one of the following conditions.

First, there is genuine enmity between the two parties that cannot be resolved.

Second, this master teacher has acted against teacher ethics, earning universal condemnation.

Third, he has shown disrespect to a high-level master teacher or committed acts of defiance against them.

...

In other words, as the Master Teacher Pavilion stipulates... those who violate the heart shall be killed! Those who violate virtue shall be killed! Those who violate propriety shall be killed!

Even for master teachers, virtue and propriety cannot be violated; otherwise, even the Master Teacher Pavilion cannot protect them.

"He killed my family and destroyed my kingdom—the hatred is irreconcilable!"

Clenching his teeth, Ding Hong roared.

A founding ancestor of a nation, now reduced to a stray dog, unable to return home or go to crowded places—all because of this fellow.

"Irreconcilable hatred—that's good!"

Seeing that his expression seemed genuine, Sect Leader Luo Huang relaxed: "I can find a way to quickly raise your strength to the third level of Mortal Transformation, and you can personally take revenge and kill him. How about that?"

Since he had an irreconcilable hatred with this Teacher Zhang, meeting the first condition for killing a master teacher, he could simply enhance his strength and let him take revenge himself.

If both parties had a great enmity and he was killed in a fair match, even the Master Teacher Pavilion would have nothing to say.

"Right!"

"Why didn't I think of that!"

"Sect Leader Luo is quicker to react..."

Hearing his words, everyone slapped their foreheads.

It was still killing, but as long as they didn't do it themselves, they wouldn't bear responsibility, and when the headquarters investigated later, they wouldn't find trouble.

"This method is good, but... that fellow is strange; I'm afraid I'm no match for him!"

Ding Hong shook his head.

Though the other's words were tempting, he had fought that fellow before, and his methods were bizarre beyond belief.

He, at the first level of Mortal Transformation, had lost to someone at half-step Mortal Transformation; even if he reached the Yin-Yang realm, he might not be a match.

To be honest, only after fighting that fellow did one know how terrifying he was. If he failed to defeat him, escaping would be impossible.

"No match? You mean we must kill him ourselves?"

Luo Huang frowned.

"Yes!" Ding Hong said.

"This..." Everyone fell silent.

If the other party was an obscure nobody, killing him would be fine, but he was a contestant in the master teacher competition with such a reputation.

Once they acted, it would inevitably provoke a backlash from the Ten Thousand Cities City Master Teacher Pavilion, and if they reported it to the headquarters, not even the strongest sect, Flowing Cloud Sect, could bear it.

"To be honest with you, this Confucius Manuscript is not in my hands but in someone else's. Whoever agrees, after obtaining the manuscript and helping me with those two tasks, I will immediately tell you where the manuscript is."

Seeing everyone silent, Ding Hong said.

"Making you the leader of the Ten Thousand Nations Alliance and raising your strength is not difficult, but the matter of Teacher Zhang... involves too much; even our Flowing Cloud Sect dares not agree lightly!"

Sect Leader Luo Huang hesitated for a moment, then said: "How about this: first tell us where the treasure is. With so many of us, we will discuss how to decide. If it's worth it, we will act; if not, we will help you fulfill the other two wishes."

Killing a four-star master teacher was not something they dared to do lightly. It was better to suppress the matter for now and first learn the exact information about the treasure.

"Right, with so many factions here, we wouldn't lose our credibility over such a small matter!"

Another sect leader said.

"Since the item is not in your hands, the value of your information is lower!" Someone else added.

If the Confucius Manuscript were in his hands, even risking the blame from headquarters, killing him would be worth it. But... the item was still with someone else, and he only provided information... an information worth so much was really not worth it.

After all, if only one faction knew this news, it might be fine, but with so many knowing at once, once Teacher Zhang had a problem, the news would easily leak, and then not only would the Confucius Manuscript be lost, but the entire sect would face a great disaster.

"I trust the credibility of all the master teachers here. To be honest, this Confucius Manuscript is in the hands of Zhang Xuan, Teacher Zhang. He took it from me, and this arm of mine was also cut off by him... As long as you can kill him, you can obtain this manuscript!"

Ding Hong's eyes rolled, and he spoke the words he had prepared earlier.

"Teacher Zhang took your manuscript?"

"Your arm was cut off by him?"

Everyone was stunned, then ecstatic.

Although they were all master teachers and could see that the man's words were insincere and even contradictory... that didn't matter.

What mattered was that as long as he admitted the manuscript was taken by Zhang Xuan...

This reason alone constituted a violation of teacher ethics, enough to sentence him to death.

"Tell us the details. If it is truly so, this Teacher Zhang has violated teacher ethics. Even if he is not from our branch, as master teachers, we will avenge you and eliminate the scum among master teachers!"

Waving his hand grandly, Sect Leader Luo Huang spoke with righteousness.

"Yes, tell us any grievances. All of us here are master teachers with a sense of justice. If he truly uses his status as a master teacher to bully the weak, we will stand up for you!"

"The Master Teacher Pavilion will never allow such a person to exist."

Two more master teachers shouted.

Among the crowd, some master teachers felt things were not so simple, but seeing the firm attitude of Sect Leader Luo Huang and others, they sighed and shook their heads.

Faced with the Confucius Manuscript, even they could not resist the temptation.

"Since everyone wants to hear, I will tell in detail!"

Ding Hong's eyes reddened: "This treasure was an item of the Qu family. Our Ding family and the Qu family have been on good terms for generations, even sharing a kingdom. However, the Qu family had few descendants. Three years ago, the last heir passed away and entrusted this treasure to us for safekeeping."

At this point, Ding Hong was full of indignation and anger: "But somehow, that Zhang Xuan found out about this, rushed to the kingdom, and during my grandson's coronation ceremony, forcibly killed him, took the manuscript, and even destroyed my kingdom. If I hadn't escaped quickly, I would have died on the spot!"

"To cover up, he deliberately fabricated various excuses, actually trying to conceal the news of the Confucius Manuscript! Fortunately, heaven has eyes, and I am still alive; otherwise, this news would have disappeared from the world, and no one could restore justice!"

Clenching his teeth, Ding Hong let out a long roar.

The other party was a master teacher, and even if they wanted to act, they needed a proper reason, considering his status.

And this was the story he had fabricated.

It was clearly the Ding family who had failed to rob, but it turned into Zhang Xuan disregarding morality. In this way, all the blame fell on the latter, and there would be no guilt in attacking him.

"How despicable! To think such a person exists in the Master Teacher Pavilion!"

"He completely disregards morality and ignores the identity of a master teacher."

"Such a person must be taught a lesson, to let him know the dignity of the teaching profession..."

"No wonder the Ten Thousand Cities City Master Teacher Pavilion has always been at the bottom; this kind of atmosphere needs to be rectified!"

...

After hearing Ding Hong's words, many master teachers were filled with righteous indignation.

"Sect Leader Luo, I propose we go find this Teacher Zhang Xuan now and make him explain this matter!"

"Right, we must first make him hand over the manuscript for us to keep in custody. Otherwise, for someone of such low character to keep it is an insult and disrespect to Confucius!"

"Yes, I have the same intention!"

...

Everyone turned their eyes to Sect Leader Luo Huang.

"What you say is very reasonable. A master teacher must be upright to have righteous spirit and teach all beings. Of course, we cannot just listen to this friend's side of the story; we must also hear Teacher Zhang's defense. If... he has truly done something against teacher ethics, even if the Ten Thousand Cities City Master Teacher Pavilion shields him, we will not let him off!"

Waving his hand, Sect Leader Luo Huang spoke with righteous words.

"Good, let's go confront him now!"

Seeing his agreement, everyone nodded in approval.

"This friend, you come too. Don't worry, until the matter is fully clarified, you are the most honored guest of our Flowing Cloud Sect, and no one will harm you!"

Seeing everyone's attitude, Sect Leader Luo Huang nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand.

"Yes!"

Ding Hong's eyes flickered.

"That Teacher Zhang lives near the Alliance Leader's mansion. I sent someone to inquire before, and I can take you there!"

A master teacher called out and led the way.

Having made the decision, everyone filed out of Wanghai Tower and headed straight for the mansion where Zhang Xuan lived.

Seeing the crowd leave aggressively, Luo Xuan, who had come along, couldn't help but shake her head.

Everyone knew that the Confucius Manuscript was in that Zhang Xuan's hands, and going to question him—how could it be fair?

Probably, whether he admitted it or not, this treasure was definitely lost.