26 Preserving Reputation
Still stunned in place by the events that had just happened, Elder Shang pointed his finger towards Lu Fengyi, "How... did you know such profound theories?"
Lu Fengyi turned to partly face Zhang Xuan before answering, "Why do you think?"
"But that's impossible!" Elder Shang blurted out, "I personally reviewed his papers and his knowledge was so lacking that our current top student would be able to best him."
"Hmph! Do you really that our Zhang laoshi cares about materialistic achievements? If you were to listen in upon his lectures, only then would you truly realise his teaching ability!" Lu Fengyi harrumphed at the shaking Elder Shang before stepping back into the crowd, head raised high and proud of what he had accomplished.
The elders of the Wang clan finally awakened from their dazed states before rushing over to Lu Fengyi and bowing low.
"I've broken through to Pixue pinnacle thanks to your guidance!"
"Before today, I was stuck at a bottleneck that was extremely difficult to overcome."
"Thank you for your guidance."
Waving down the elders, Lu Fengyi secretly felt accomplished as he received the praise from some of the most high authority figures in the city. One had to know that although the Wang clan was not the strongest by quite a margin, it was still a respectable clan and its elders would have a certain level of prestige regardless.
"Does that prove that Zhang laoshi has perfectly capable students, Elder Shang?"
Lu Fengyi turned to face the elder with a grim expression upon his face.
Although Elder Shang was beyond confused and his head spun with the sudden turn of events, years of zhuangbi asserted itself as he attempted to bluff his way through, "Although Zhang laoshi seems to have a certain amount of capabilities, that doesn't say anything about his zero in the teacher's examination. For all we know, you could be the knowledgeable one and you're simply covering for your teacher right now."
Seeing that the elder was still unwilling to admit his wrongs and slander, everyone in the room began to grow incensed at Elder Shang. 'Peh! What elder? What reputation? What you're currently displaying to us is simply so shameless that one would even call you inhumane, yet you still have the guts to continue questioning truth in the face. We were truly misled by you!'
Although Elder Mo had known Shang Chen for many years now and they had become something of close friends, the current attitude that he displayed right now was truly disappointing for an elder. Even if Zhang Xuan were to ask for the matter to be dropped, he would still have to report this to the education bureau. Being an upright person, Elder Mo stood on the side of justice and a reprimand from the superiors would do Elder Shang a great deal of help towards his character.
Just as Elder Mo was about to announce his decision, Shang Chen spoke out hatefully once more, "I didn't want to do this, however you leave me no choice today. Forgetting the coercion and the teacher's examination, even without those, Zhang Xuan has no way of getting away scot free today!"
Elder Mo felt infuriated, however he allowed for Shang Chen to speak. Gathering his breath, Shang Chen stood up before pointing a deadly finger towards Zhang Xuan, "If I am not ill informed, you made a student's cultivation go berserk!"
"..."
Silence filled the room as all eyes turned to Zhang Xuan for confirmation. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to deny this claim, Zhang Xuan stepped forwards, "I do not deny that I caused a student's cultivation to go berserk."
"WHAT?"
Everyone within the room exploded into cries as they heard what Zhang Xuan had said. Usually, a teacher would be spared a part of his dignity if there was no complete proof that an accusation was true, however not only had Zhang Xuan not denied the accusation, he had even admitted to it. This was basically asking to have his teaching licence revoked!
Elder Mo creased his brows together before questioning Zhang Xuan, "Is there any explanation?"
Although Elder Mo had not known Zhang Xuan for long, the impression that he gave was quite good and fulfilled the role of a teacher perfectly while his teachings were obviously top-grade as demonstrated by Lu Fengyi. The fact that Zhang Xuan would admit to such an erroneous crime was quite the turn of events.
"In fact, I do have an explanation, however I'd like to see my previous student first," Zhang Xuan sighed before speaking his mind, "If only he hadn't ran off that day..."
Eager to know the reason, the crowd turned their heads towards Elder Mo.
Elder Mo nodded lightly before pulling out a scroll to access the communications channel. Moments later, a second year student stepped through the doorway and entered the room, bewildered by the mass of powerful figures within the space.
"Junior, Zhao Yanfeng reports to seniors."
Elder Mo indicated for Zhao Yanfeng to step into the room, "Zhao Yanfeng, do you remember the incident where Zhang laoshi drove your cultivation berserk?"
Glancing around and spotting Zhang Xuan, Zhao Yanfeng stared hatefully towards his former teacher, "Of course I remember. The pain of it still seeps within my bones!"
The eyes turned back to Zhang Xuan once more. Deciding to take up the god-sent opportunity, Lu Fengyi stepped out once more before addressing Zhao Yanfeng, "Since you remember the event, could you please recall if you felt any sort of ailments before you went berserk?"
Zhao Yanfeng's expression darkened before answering, "I did not have any ailments."
"Zhang laoshi, could you confirm if he had any ailments or not?"
Zhang Xuan, once again marvelling at the initiative that his student showed, stepped forwards before coughing twice, "I seem to remember that I detected an ailment within your body before you went berserk, however before this proceeds, I'd like you to spar with my student, Lu Fengyi."
Snorting in derision, Zhao Yanfeng stared at Zhang Xuan, "Why should I spar with a first year?"
"Just do as you're told child." Huang Yu spoke out, curious to see what Zhang Xuan was up to.
Noticing the obviously important female by the side of the room, Zhao Yanfeng nodded before walking several steps backwards and brandishing his fists, "Then come!"
Lu Fengyi smiled before facing Zhao Yanfeng, hands in a ready position.
With a roar, Zhao Yanfeng unleashed several of his abilities immediately, trying to end the fight in a single hit. It wasn't that he acknowledged Lu Fengyi's strength, it was simply so that he could get back at his previous teacher.
While Huang Yu and the other outsiders stared worriedly at the situation, the elders within the Wang clan chuckled lightly as they knew what was about to happen.
In an instant, Zhao Yanfeng was already upon Lu Fengyi, easily able to strike any part of his opponents body at will. Eye's gleaming with a deadly gaze, Zhao Yanfeng pulled back his fist, preparing for a strong punch towards Lu Fengyi's ribs, however before he was able to unleash his might, Lu Fengyi performed a fancy spin manoeuvre before slamming a powerful, roundhouse kick towards the older boy's side.
Within seconds of the battle starting, not only had Zhao Yanfeng not neutralised Lu Fengyi with ease, he had even been sent flying into a nearby wall.