The scholars gasped in unison! They could hardly believe their ears!

This young man before them was actually Duke Jin Fan Li, notorious for his power and influence throughout the court?

The man who dared to make the emperor call him father?!

Their first instinct was disbelief, but looking at the still-kneeling Vice Headmaster and the powerful female Great Vehicle Realm expert standing silently behind Fan Li, they couldn't help but believe it!

Master Yichuan's face turned pale with fright! He had originally intended to humiliate Fan Li, but not only had he lost the competition, but his background was also far inferior.

"This Chu Kingdom... I can't stay here any longer," Master Yichuan thought miserably.

His disciple, Zhu Ziyang, shared the same sentiment. "I was truly blind. Just to curry favor with this old scholar Yichuan, I actually offended Duke Jin Fan Li? I can't remain in the Chu Kingdom, I'd better seek opportunities in neighboring countries."

Master and disciple, united in their thoughts, prepared to flee at any moment.

With Fan Li's status, he couldn't be bothered to bicker with such insignificant figures. He curiously asked the Vice Headmaster, "Who is the Headmaster of Luming Academy? With such a commotion, why hasn't he shown up yet? If he dares to neglect his duties, you can report him to me, and I will personally see to his punishment!"

The Four Swords of Zhu Xian, what a terrifying spectacle! Yet, the Headmaster of the academy was still nowhere to be seen. The more Fan Li thought about it, the angrier he became.

The entire Chu Kingdom was under his governance, how could such a negligent and corrupt official exist? It was simply outrageous!

Just as Fan Li was about to unleash his righteous fury, he noticed the Vice Headmaster's gaze towards him... gradually turning strange?

"Your Excellency..."

"Speak your mind! I have always been upright and impartial. No matter how powerful the person's background, I will surely charge him with dereliction of duty!"

Fan Li assumed the man had a powerful backer and the Vice Headmaster was afraid to offend him.

Background?

In the entire Chu Kingdom, from the emperor down to the common people, who had a more powerful background than him, Fan Li?

A cold chuckle escaped his lips.

Worst case scenario, he would fight fire with fire! In the past, Fan Li didn't mind his notoriety, but the scholars before him were, frankly speaking, all diligent students, the future blossoms of the Chu Kingdom.

Fan Li had to set an example for them!

"Your Excellency, have you perhaps forgotten?" Vice Headmaster Zhang Qiuming cautiously probed.

"Forgotten what?" Fan Li was puzzled.

Could it be that the Headmaster of Luming Academy had taken a long leave of absence or was in mourning? He had a photographic memory, he didn't recall anything like that happening.

Zhang Qiuming pointed at Fan Li and said gingerly, "Aren't you the Headmaster of this academy?"

"What???" He froze for a few seconds, then suddenly remembered something!

Luming Academy was founded by his ancestor, Fan Zeng, and the position of Headmaster had always been held by a member of the Fan clan.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

In Fan Li's generation, only he and Fan Chun were officials in the court. Fan Chun was a military general, so naturally, he couldn't concurrently serve as the Headmaster of the academy. Therefore, the position of Headmaster of Luming Academy rightfully belonged to Fan Li.

The one who had been chronically absent and neglecting his duties was actually himself? Fan Li blushed!

"Ahem!"

"This Duke... is... preoccupied with countless state affairs and rarely has time to visit the academy. Vice Headmaster Zhang, you have done an excellent job managing the academy on my behalf. I appreciate your hard work."

As soon as Fan Li finished speaking, he heard someone snicker!

Who dared to be so bold?!

He glared fiercely!

Oh, it was Sage Ruler Han Yue, who had just broken through to the Great Vehicle Fourth Realm?

No problem, you can continue laughing.

"Paying respects to Headmaster!"

At this moment, a group of scholars took the initiative to step forward and kneel before Fan Li, performing a grand bow, also conveniently easing his awkwardness.

Fan Li was deeply moved!

"What wonderful students!"

"They are all my people."

"No wonder Chiang Kai-shek favored the Whampoa cadets back then, I understand now."

"What does it mean to have loyal followers? These scholars are my loyal followers!"

While Fan Li basked in the warm camaraderie with the academy students, Master Yichuan and Zhu Ziyang, unnoticed, quietly slipped away.

"Headmaster."

Vice Headmaster Zhang Qiuming was a shrewd man. Seeing that Fan Li enjoyed the title of "Headmaster," he immediately changed his form of address.

"Oh? What is it, Qiuming?"

Hearing himself being called "Headmaster," Fan Li felt a sense of novelty and indeed became somewhat more cordial towards Zhang Qiuming.

"It's rare for the students to gather here today. Please, Headmaster, bestow your guidance upon them," Zhang Qiuming flattered.

Smart man. Asking a leader for guidance was actually a way to stroke their ego.

Fan Li couldn't help but take another look at Zhang Qiuming, thinking that this young man indeed had the makings of an official, he knew how to handle things.

"Ahem! Students, I will say a few words..." Fan Li was about to emulate the leaders of his past life, whose speeches lasted at least two hours. He noticed Sage Ruler Han Yue staring at him, and he felt a chill run down his spine.

Forget it! Just say a few words and hurry home.

"Students, why do you study?" Fan Li asked first.

Someone answered, "Within books, there are houses of gold and beautiful women."

Another said, "To inherit the knowledge of the past sages and bring peace to the world for generations to come."

Luming Academy, as expected of a prestigious public institution, the students' answers were all exemplary.

However, Fan Li shook his head. "Well said, but not enough."

The students looked puzzled.

One scholar boldly said, "Please, Headmaster, enlighten us."

Seeing this, the other scholars also bowed and said, "Please, Headmaster, enlighten us!"

Fan Li felt immense satisfaction, almost bursting into laughter. Several years later, all the civil and military officials in the court would be his students. This feeling... Even if the Chu Kingdom changed emperors several times, they would all have to call him father!

"Ahem!"

"Listen carefully, all of you!"

Fan Li said with a stern expression, each word enunciated clearly, "Study for the rise of the Chu Kingdom."

***

Master Guiguzi of Mount Yunmeng, a renowned scholar of the present age. In terms of fame, he was second only to Lu Chunqiu. However, Master Guiguzi was even more enigmatic and perhaps even more revered.

People generally believed that Master Guiguzi’s fame was slightly inferior to Lu Chunqiu's only because he took on fewer disciples, unlike Lu Chunqiu, whose students were spread throughout the land.

The saying "Of the great scholars under heaven, seven parts come from Lu City, and three parts come from Guiguzi" reflected this sentiment.

Outside Luming Academy.

"Wait for me, Master!" Zhu Ziyang shouted.

Master Yichuan glanced at him with a dejected expression and asked, "Why are you following me instead of staying at the academy?" He had suffered a crushing defeat today and had even offended Duke Jin of Chu. He simply had no face left to remain in Chu territory.

"I am your student, Master, naturally I must follow you," Zhu Ziyang forced a smile. In truth, just like Master Yichuan, he had no face left to continue staying at the academy. Rather than being expelled, it was better to leave voluntarily, at least preserving a shred of dignity. Clinging to Master Yichuan's coattails was still better than wandering the world alone.

"Hmm, at least you have some filial piety," Master Yichuan said with a straight face, walking on with his head down.

Zhu Ziyang, following behind, was already panting heavily. "Master, where... where are we going now?" He assumed Master Yichuan was going to find another academy to make a living, and perhaps he could also get enrolled there.

Zhu Ziyang secretly decided that once he obtained a place at a new academy, he would immediately ditch this old geezer!

‘A bottle not even half full, shaking around like a fool, will ruin me!’ Zhu Ziyang cursed inwardly. However, when he heard Master Yichuan's answer, he was instantly ecstatic.

"To Mount Yunmeng."

Mount Yunmeng, the abode of Master Guiguzi.