Chapter 69: Withdraw from the Course

“Patriarch Wang, what is the meaning of this...?” Zhang Xuan was as bewildered as everyone else. Even if he had taught Wang Ying, there was no need for the patriarch to come in person, was there?

“You cured my daughter’s leg and taught her such profound knowledge. Of course, I must thank you in person!” Patriarch Wang Hong nodded repeatedly. Wang Ying’s leg had always been a source of worry for him. This teacher had not only cured her but also significantly increased her strength. Such methods were already comparable to those of a Grandmaster! Before a Grandmaster, even his status as the Wang family patriarch was insignificant!

“Oh, she’s my student. It’s my duty to teach her well; there’s nothing to be grateful for,” Zhang Xuan nodded. A teacher’s role is to impart knowledge, teach skills, and resolve doubts! Even though in his previous life he was just a university librarian, he was still part of the teaching profession and held it in great respect and affection. Since Wang Ying was his student, helping her solve problems and improve her cultivation was nothing to be complacent or proud about.

Seeing his composed demeanor, everyone else was once again flabbergasted. This was the Wang family patriarch! It was like a pauper meeting a billionaire—how could he be so calm, not nervous in the slightest?

“It’s my duty, indeed, very good!” Elder Mo, who had witnessed the scene, stroked his beard and secretly nodded in approval. The world was degenerating, and moral values were declining. Many teachers had long forgotten their original aspirations in their pursuit of fame and fortune. Yet, Teacher Zhang Xuan could remain so pure, which was truly admirable.

“To possess such an attitude, coupled with Liu Yang’s high trust in him and Patriarch Wang Hong’s profound admiration... Could Elder Shang Chen have been mistaken?” After his reflection, a doubt arose in Elder Mo’s mind. Earlier, upon arriving, he had heard Shang Chen speak ill of Teacher Zhang Xuan, leading him to believe Zhang Xuan was an uneducated, silver-tongued good-for-nothing who harmed others. Now, it seemed that wasn’t the case at all! Despite his suspicions, he remained silent and continued to observe.

“Patriarch Wang, please come in!” As expected of an elder, Shang Chen quickly recovered from his momentary embarrassment and motioned for the Wang family to take their seats, with guests and hosts arranged appropriately.

“Patriarch Wang Hong!” Elder Mo clasped his fists in greeting.

“Oh, Elder Mo Xiang of the Teacher Guild! What brings you here?” Only now noticing Elder Mo, Wang Hong hastily rose. The Teacher Guild was the foremost guild, surpassing even the Alchemist Guild, Array Master Guild, and many others. Its elders, even if their cultivation was lower than his own, were not people a small family like the Wangs could afford to offend.

“Just a minor matter!” Elder Mo replied casually, then looked over with a puzzled expression: “Even if Miss Wang Ying became Zhang Xuan’s student, there’s no need for you to come in person, is there?” Who was the man before him? The patriarch of one of the Four Great Clans, a super expert who commanded an entire region! Even if his daughter had become Zhang Xuan’s student and had her chronic illness cured, it shouldn’t warrant his personal presence.

“Elder Mo truly has keen insight! Since you ask, I actually do have a matter I need to trouble Elder Shang Chen with!” Patriarch Wang Hong nodded with a smile.

“Oh? Trouble me? Patriarch Wang, you’re too polite. If there’s anything, just tell me! As long as it’s within my ability, I will do my utmost!” Hearing that the other party genuinely had something for him, Elder Shang Chen regained his confidence. He glanced triumphantly at Zhang Xuan, stroked his beard, and adopted a lofty demeanor.

*You merely got lucky curing Wang Ying’s chronic illness, which is why the patriarch gave you a bit of notice. If we consider it carefully, whether it’s status or comprehension of teaching, you’re far inferior to me! See? Patriarch Wang has a matter to trouble me with...*

“It’s like this: my son has been studying under your tutelage these past days, and I’m very grateful for Teacher Shang’s care. I haven’t had a chance to express my thanks in person!” Patriarch Wang Hong waved his hand, and an elder immediately stepped forward, presenting an item. “This is a small token of my appreciation, and also to show thanks for your care of my son these past days!”

“Patriarch Wang, you’re too kind. Educating people is a teacher’s duty; I wouldn’t dare accept gifts!” Elder Shang Chen hastily waved his hand. With Elder Mo of the Teacher Guild present, even if he wanted to accept, he wouldn’t dare!

“Elder Shang is truly honorable and admirable!” Seeing that he wouldn’t accept, Patriarch Wang Hong waved his hand, hesitated for a moment, then continued, “Actually, I came today to discuss something with the Elder. My son has encountered some cultivation issues recently, and it seems the Elder’s lessons are not quite suitable for him. So, I was wondering... if he could drop the course?”

“Drop the course?” Elder Shang Chen, who had been composed and smug just moments before, stumbled upon hearing this, almost falling over. Drop the course? He was studying so well, why drop it? A student dropping a course was equivalent to a public slap in the face, indicating the teacher’s instruction was inadequate. He had been so pleased, expecting to be asked for a favor, but it turned out to be this! Damn it, if this news got out, he, the dignified Dean of Students, might as well quit! The humiliation alone would be enough to kill him!

“Yes! We hope the Elder will grant our request!” said Patriarch Wang Hong.

“This...” Elder Shang Chen felt as if his face had been slapped; it was burning. He wanted to rage but dared not. After a long internal struggle, he forced out a smile: “Patriarch Wang, you’re too polite. Since your esteemed son has made his decision, I can accommodate it!” With that, he took the jade token representing the student’s identity and dripped a drop of blood onto it. Buzz! His course was canceled.

“Many thanks, Elder Shang!” Patriarch Wang Hong nodded in satisfaction and handed the jade token to Wang Tao.

“You’re too kind. It’s the independent choice of both teacher and student. If he truly finds my tutelage unsuitable, dropping the course is normal. I’m just curious, now that he’s dropped my course, whom does Wang Tao intend to apprentice himself to?” Though his heart was bleeding, Elder Shang Chen maintained a smile on his face. Wang Tao was a very well-known student under his instruction, a super talent who consistently ranked among the top ten in every annual assessment! For someone like that to drop his course... just thinking about it was infuriating. At the same time, he wondered, if Patriarch Wang Hong insisted on dropping his course, then whom would he have Wang Tao apprentice to? He was an elder and the Dean of Students. Although he might not be the best teacher in the entire academy, he was at least considered a star teacher. Many people would probably scramble to get into his classes! Apart from himself, he truly couldn’t think of anyone else worthy of the dignified Wang family patriarch making a special trip just to drop a course and have his son switch teachers.

“Oh, I already have someone in mind!” Patriarch Wang Hong stood up and took a few steps towards Zhang Xuan, his face full of reverence. “Teacher Zhang, do you think my son, Wang Tao, could apprentice himself to you? Become your student?”

“Gak?”“This...”“No way! He’s dropping Elder Shang Chen’s course just to become Zhang Xuan’s student?” Witnessing his actions and hearing his words, the entire Study Hall Tower fell silent. Everyone went mad. Elder Shang Chen, especially, nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood and died on the spot. Patriarch Wang Hong, you must be joking! Dropping my course just to join the tutelage of someone who scored zero on the teacher qualification exam?

Shang Bin and Cao Xiong were also dumbfounded. The useless teacher they had always despised had actually caused a dignified patriarch to personally come and drop an elder’s course just to have his son join his tutelage. Heavens above, Earth below, is there any justice in this world...?

However, before the crowd’s frenzy could subside, the young man’s calm voice rang out.“I’m sorry, I don’t accept.”Gulp! Everyone collapsed to the floor.