Chapter 68: Paying Respects to Teacher Zhang Xuan

“Grandfather, I’ve heard of Patriarch Wang Hong. He’s a super expert ranked in the top ten of the Genius Potential List, already at the peak of Martial Artist Seventh Layer, only half a step away from Grandmaster! Why would such a strong person visit you?”

Shang Bin’s eyes flickered, also finding it hard to believe.

In the Tianxuan Kingdom, knowing the royal family meant knowing the four great clans. As the strongest expert of the Wang Clan, Patriarch Wang Hong’s strength had long reached the peak of Martial Artist Seventh Layer, his reputation formidable. Normally, even if one tried to curry favor, they couldn’t. Yet today he came specially to visit Grandfather—if he hadn’t heard it with his own ears, he would hardly believe it!

“Haha, it must be because of Wang Tao!” Elder Shang Chen laughed.

“Young Master Wang Tao?”

“Indeed, Wang Tao is Patriarch Wang Hong’s eldest son and will surely inherit the Wang Clan in the future. I took him as my student and even helped him smoothly advance to Martial Artist Fourth Layer, the Skin and Bone Realm. I imagine the Patriarch, knowing of my guidance, has come specially to express his gratitude!” Elder Shang Chen stroked his beard, unable to hide his pride.

“Wang Tao is… his student?”

Hearing the conversation, Zhang Xuan on the side was stunned.

He had long known that Wang Ying’s brother had been taken as a disciple by an elder, but he never dreamed it was the one before him.

“Yes!” Shen Biru nodded, her expression grim. “You’d better think about what to do. Elder Shang Chen is clearly targeting you, and now with the Wang family backing him, his influence will only grow. Even if you stay in the academy, you’re bound to have a hard time!”

“We’ll see about that later!”

Zhang Xuan was completely unconcerned.

If the other party truly intended to target him, he wasn’t one to be trifled with either. At worst, he would reveal his strength and tough it out!

With the Library of Heaven’s Path, he could see through all flaws. Who would win or lose was still uncertain.

“You…”

Seeing his attitude, Shen Biru stamped her foot in anger.

She was worrying for him, yet he didn’t care at all—how infuriating!

“Come, let’s go welcome him!”

Elder Shang Chen, brimming with pride, quickly walked out, leading Shang Bin and the others toward the main gate.

For the patriarch of one of the four great clans to come in person, it was worth welcoming him even outside the academy, let alone at the gate.

If he could build a good relationship and successfully befriend him, the position of vice dean next year might even fall to him!

“Elder Shang!”

Before they reached the gate, a group of seven or eight people strode over. At the front was a middle-aged man with a majestic air, clearly someone long accustomed to a high position.

The Wang Clan Patriarch, Wang Hong!

Behind him followed several elders, every movement revealing strength at least at the Acupoint Opening Realm. No need to guess—they were elders of the Wang Clan.

At the very back were two youths. One was Wang Tao; the other was Wang Yan, grandson of the Second Elder, who had just been admitted to the academy this year. He was said to have become a student of Teacher Lu Xun, showing good talent and being quite popular.

“Patriarch Wang’s personal visit truly overwhelms me with honor. If you needed anything, you only had to say the word. Coming all this way… it’s such an honor!” Elder Shang Chen hurriedly said.

“Not at all. To be honest, I do have a matter to discuss with you…” Patriarch Wang Hong smiled.

“Patriarch Wang, please speak freely!” Elder Shang Chen quickly replied.

If he could help the other party, he would surely secure the backing of the Wang Clan, a great tree to lean on…

“My daughter Wang Ying—I believe Elder Shang already knows of her. I heard she has taken a teacher named Zhang Xuan…” Patriarch Wang Hong said slowly.

“Zhang Xuan? Does Patriarch Wang wish to cause him trouble?”

Shang Bin’s eyes lit up, and he nearly jumped with excitement.

Earlier, he had seen Young Master Wang Tao outside Zhang Xuan’s classroom and knew that Wang Ying had been tricked into becoming his student. He assumed the Wang family would not tolerate such a thing, but he never dreamed they would act so quickly, with even the Patriarch coming in person!

Clenching his fists, Shang Bin laughed inwardly.

So what if you won the interrogation? This is the Wang Clan! One of the four great clans of Tianxuan Royal City. Offend them, and even if you’re not just the worst teacher in the academy, even a teacher like Wang Chao would be in big trouble!

He thought so, and Cao Xian clearly thought the same, trembling with excitement like an epileptic fit.

“Shut up! Who asked you to speak?” Hearing his grandson interrupt the Patriarch’s words, Elder Shang Chen quickly scolded.

Although he was the Dean of Studies, he had too many matters to handle. He only knew that Zhang Xuan had recruited five students, but not who they were specifically.

He had no idea that Wang Ying was also his student.

“It’s fine…” Patriarch Wang Hong waved his hand, about to continue, when Wang Tao behind him stepped forward. “Father!”

“What is it?” Patriarch Wang Hong frowned.

“That is Teacher Zhang Xuan!”

Wang Tao pointed.

Entering the hall of the Question Heart Tower, he had recognized Zhang Xuan.

“So he is Teacher Zhang?”

Turning to look, Patriarch Wang Hong raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed, this is our academy’s Zhang Xuan!”

Unexpectedly, this Teacher Zhang had the audacity to deceive even Wang Ying. Elder Shang Chen’s eyes flickered as he introduced him with a beaming smile.

“Heh heh! Now he’s in for it. Patriarch Wang Hong is decisive and ruthless, not like us teachers who follow rules…”

“Serves him right. To dare deceive the Patriarch’s daughter—his nerve is too great…”

Seeing Patriarch Wang Hong immediately look at Zhang Xuan upon arrival, Shang Bin and Cao Xian both laughed inwardly.

To become the patriarch of one of the four great clans, who wasn’t ruthless?

As the worst teacher in the academy, tricking the other’s daughter was practically suicide!

Just as they thought Zhang Xuan was doomed and would surely suffer, they suddenly witnessed a scene they couldn’t believe.

Patriarch Wang Hong strode over to Zhang Xuan in two steps. Instead of the expected anger or a violent confrontation, he was… beaming with excitement, bowing deeply, and speaking with utmost caution: “Wang Hong pays respects to Teacher Zhang Xuan!”

His manner was like that of someone meeting a great leader, afraid of saying anything rash or offensive that might displease the other.

“Holy crap!”

“Am I seeing things? How… how is this possible?”

Shang Bin and Cao Xian both twitched, nearly fainting on the spot.

What the hell?

This wasn’t how the script went. Shouldn’t Patriarch Wang Hong have shouted at Zhang Xuan and given him a good beating?

Why was he bowing and saying “pays respects”…

Though it was just a courtesy, even their grandfather Elder Shang Chen hadn’t received such treatment…

What qualifications did a guy with a zero teaching assessment have?

“Patriarch Wang Hong, calm your anger. Anger harms the liver. The academy’s worst teacher isn’t worth your anger… Hmm? Ahem, ahem…”

Elder Shang Chen had intended to play the good guy and feign a劝阻, but before he could finish his sentence, he saw this scene. His smile froze on his face, and he nearly choked to death on his saliva.

Wasn’t Zhang Xuan supposed to have tricked Wang Ying into being his student?

Wasn’t he supposed to be here to cause trouble?

Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?