Chapter 131: Bu Tong

“Most rumors are made up; I don’t believe them much. I tend to think this kid’s background… well, you know how common this sort of thing is.” Another male teacher added to the discussion with a dirty grin.

Yi Ning knitted her delicate brows, finding it unbearable to listen to them gossiping behind someone’s back, and got up to leave.

After she was gone, one of the male teachers chuckled slyly. “Did you see that? Teacher Yi Ning might actually like that arrogant Teacher Qin Li!”

“Stop talking nonsense. They haven’t even met. How could she like him?” The well-built male teacher said with displeasure.

“Hey, Teacher Wei doesn’t want to hear it! But am I wrong? Just look at Yi Ning’s unhappy expression when we mentioned Qin Li. Maybe they knew each other before!”

“Impossible!” Teacher Wei, the athletic one, shouted loudly. “Hmph! I’ll challenge him tomorrow! I’ll make him understand this Empire Advanced Academy is no place for him to act so arrogant and reckless!”

…

This was Qin Li’s first time here. He could feel the youthful, sunny energy radiating from these young men and women. Unlike the spoiled rich kids he’d imagined, they weren’t so different from the students he’d seen in his past life. The one thing set apart was that these seemingly exuberant youngsters were actually geniuses among geniuses, elites among elites!

And he, himself, got to guide them. Truly, he mused, life was unpredictable.

Qin Li needed to report in with the administrative office first. Though his status was noble, once within the academy walls, everything must follow academy rules. Seeking special treatment would only make others look down on him.

Anyway, he only needed to come once a week, Qin Li thought as he stepped off the carriage.

Someone was already waiting there for him—a young girl who seemed slightly nervous. She offered Qin Li a gentle smile. “Excuse me, are you Teacher Qin Li?”

Qin Li nodded. “That’s me.”

Seeing Qin Li’s relaxed manner, the girl’s nervousness eased. “Please come upstairs. The Vice Principal is waiting for you!”

The group of students noticed Qin Li entering the academy’s office building. They stopped automatically, lingering outside. They absolutely refused to leave without catching a glimpse of this young Marquis who had recently become famous throughout Azure Dragon City.

Among the crowd stood Zhao Qianqian, Princess of the Imperial Family, chatting informally with several other girls.

One girl with freckles on her face asked Zhao Qianqian, “Princess Qianqian, is that Teacher Qin Li really so strong? Strong enough to force a Heaven Rank Martial Artist onto the defensive?”

“Not just Heaven Rank! Uncle Chen was the Heaven Rank Ninth Tier Chief Royal Retainer!” Zhao Qianqian corrected firmly. “Why would I lie to you? When father said he was stronger than me, I didn’t believe it. You’ll find out soon enough. He really… is very powerful!”

“Having such a strong person to teach us means we’ll definitely improve really fast!” said a girl with a strikingly voluptuous figure and bewitching features, her expression full of hope.

“Wu Yin, little sis!” Zhao Qianqian teased her companion playfully. “I think you’re totally crushing on him! You’re totally dreamy-eyed!”

The beautiful, alluring Wu Yin grinned mischievously. “So what? Doesn’t the Princess feel the same way about Teacher Qin Li? I bet you…”

“Don’t you dare say it!” Zhao Qianqian flushed crimson, glaring fiercely at Wu Yin. “If you say it, I won’t take you to the Royal Family garden to see the sights next week!”

“Fine, fine.” Wu Yin pouted, muttering under her breath, “Jeez. Liking someone is no big deal. Hmpf. Always threatening me…”

…

Qin Li followed the young woman up to the third floor. They stopped at the door of a large room. The girl knocked softly.

“Come in!” A voice filled with authority sounded from within.

The girl opened the door, gestured for Qin Li to enter, and stayed outside herself.

Qin Li walked inside. It was a spacious office, the outer part clearly meant for receiving guests. As he entered, someone emerged from the inner, working section.

The man looked to be in his forties. He had fair skin, no beard, short hair, sharp eyes, and an elegant air. One could tell he must have been handsome in his youth.

Seeing this man, Qin Li froze. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes before vanishing.

The man didn’t notice. He looked Qin Li over coolly. “Qin Li, the Five Elements Marquis, correct? I am Marquis Violet Bu Tong! I am also the Vice Principal of the Advanced Academy. Pleased to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you lately. In short, you are a genius martial artist, and we welcome you to Azure Dragon Kingdom to contribute to nurturing its talent!”

Hearing this Vice Principal’s full name, Qin Li felt a jolt inside, though he kept his face calm. At first sight, the man had seemed startlingly familiar… because he looked so much like Bu Yunyan! And now, he actually carried the surname Bu!

Qin Li had never asked Bu Yunyan explicitly. He always assumed she took her mother’s surname. In fact, she had said she used her mother’s name. Now, it seemed either Bu Yunyan had lied, or her mother never told her daughter the truth. Maybe the mother didn’t want her daughter tracking down the man later using the surname, or perhaps there were other reasons. Bu Yunyan’s mother was dead. And Bu Tong… had a very high chance of being connected to Bu Yunyan!

“Since you are now at the academy, set aside titles and ranks,” Bu Tong continued smoothly. “Even the most junior teachers here are Barons or Viscounts by His Majesty’s grace. We are all nobles here. But within the academy, we follow academy rules.”

Qin Li felt like he’d time-traveled back to his past life, facing minor bureaucrats. He found it absurd but didn’t argue. He simply nodded with a faint smile.

Bu Tong found Qin Li’s lack of an arrogant attitude somewhat reassuring. The truth was, he despised having this young Marquis come to teach at the Advanced Academy.

The reason was simple: Bu Tong currently held the most power within the academy.

The Principal was almost never around, appearing and disappearing unpredictably. On the rare times he did come back, he’d lock himself away studying something. Everyone knew the Principal was preparing to break through to the Heavenly Rank, the Heaven-Breaking Realm. Thus, he had zero time for academy affairs.

The other Vice Principals were mostly old men, either obsessed with research or their quest for greater strength in the Martial Path. They cared little for power.

The young, capable administrator? That was Bu Tong.

Bu Tong was different. At forty-five, possessing Earth Rank Ninth Tier strength, he was considered decently powerful. But pursuing deeper heights in the Martial Path didn’t interest him. What he truly craved was the feeling of holding power. That sweet satisfaction, that feeling of everyone looking up at him from below… it was endlessly wonderful.

The day the old Principal broke through to the Heavenly Rank would be the day Bu Tong finally ascended to the Principal’s chair!

The Principal of the Empire Advanced Academy wielded power nearly matching that of a Grand General!

After all, only the nation’s most elite high-end talents graduated from this place! And once Bu Tong became Principal, these graduates would forever be his students!

What network could possibly match that?

Things had been progressing perfectly towards that goal. Bu Tong had even neglected his own training to manage every academy matter personally, quickly building immense prestige.

Last year, the long-missing old Principal reappeared, declared he would enter deep seclusion to concentrate on breaking through the Heavenly Rank, and formally handed all actual power over to Bu Tong.

Though Bu Tong’s title was still Vice Principal, every soul in the Advanced Academy knew he was the next Principal.

Bu Tong certainly believed it.

But then… recently… this teenage prodigy emerged out of nowhere in Azure Dragon City. Destroyed the Great Green Gang. Earned favor with His Majesty and Chief Royal Retainer Chen Yihan. And was directly recommended as a teacher for the Advanced Academy.

Bu Tong felt extremely displeased. Others might see Qin Li’s youth and noble title only to feel envy. Bu Tong wasn’t merely jealous; he feared for his own ambitions.

Because… Bu Tong was the Crown Prince’s man! And Qin Li? Qin Li was a thorn in the Crown Prince’s eye!

Not only that! At such a tender age, he possessed terrifying strength. He could easily become a hero, an idol, for the prideful young geniuses of the Imperial Academy!

That might seem harmless. But if Qin Li knew how to leverage such influence? In no time at all, this young Marquis’s reputation might match Bu Tong’s… even surpass it!

Therefore, Bu Tong deeply disliked this newcomer. If he had any choice, he would never have accepted Qin Li into the Advanced Academy.

Bu Tong narrowed his eyes, examining this seemingly mild-mannered young man a bit longer. He finally spoke dismissively. “For now, you’ll be responsible for teaching Advanced Class D.” Bu Tong waved a hand, bored. “Their previous teacher was just reassigned as City Lord of some city; you fill his vacancy. Go on now. Someone will take you there later.”

Clearly unwelcome, Qin Li felt no need for excessive courtesy, especially suspecting Bu Tong’s connection to Bu Yunyan. Qin Li offered a thin smile. “Vice Principal Bu? His Majesty stated I only need to be here one day per week. To offer… casual guidance to students. Meaning… I don’t require the Advanced Academy’s salary. I’m essentially a… guest lecturer. Yes. A guest lecturer.”

“Are you saying, Teacher Qin,” Bu Tong’s expression remained impassive, eyes still narrowed, “…that you do not plan to be a full-time teacher for the Advanced Academy?”