Chapter 781: Doing the Work of Oxen and Horses

Zu An said with a troubled expression, "But I'm usually very busy, and I might not have time to teach students."

He used to be a visiting lecturer for arithmetic at Mingyue Academy, but he often didn't have time to go to school back then, which left him with a sense of guilt for neglecting his students. Now in the capital, he had to go to the Eastern Palace and serve as an Embroidered Envoy. He was constantly swamped with work, so busy that he couldn't possibly take on another teaching position.

Inside the wooden house, the Crown Princess grew anxious upon hearing his words. This fellow usually seemed so smart and quick-witted, why was he acting so foolish now? Did he have any idea how many benefits there were to being an academy teacher, or how difficult it was to become one? These people were willing to make an exception and let him be a teacher, yet he was still making excuses. Saying he was busy? He was the one who was always late for roll calls at the Eastern Palace. Who knew which woman he had been busy with?

Just as she was feeling anxious, she heard Wang Shuyang say, "No matter, no matter. Mr. Zu's caliber is too high to be wasted on teaching students. We'll simply inform the academy not to schedule any classes for you."

Jiang Luofu hesitated. "But if he doesn't teach classes, many procedures won't be approved, and it will be hard to quiet public criticism."

"That's simple," said Hei Baizi. "Although Mr. Zu doesn't need to teach students, we can arrange for him to teach *us* teachers. As for the class schedule, it won't be mandatory; Mr. Zu can come whenever it's convenient for him. And for the class format, how about a game of chess? That counts as leisure, and Mr. Zu won't get too tired." In his opinion, it would be an absolute waste for Zu An to teach students; it would be much more practical for him to play a few more games of chess with him.

The silence spell on Yin Shizhong finally wore off. He immediately jumped up and exclaimed, "Shameless fellow! How can Mr. Zu's lessons take the form of a chess game? He should debate with me in front of a group of students! That way, he can teach us and inspire the students too!"

Wang Shuyang grew annoyed. "What nonsense are you talking about? The best way is for Mr. Zu to discuss hybrid rice with me. That would be a great merit, benefiting billions of people across the land!"

"We cultivators don't follow the Buddhist path, so what do we need great merit for?" Hei Baizi snorted. "Besides, Mr. Zu already gave you sufficient instructions. Why are you still pestering him for details? And you call yourself an agriculturist. Mr. Zu's wisdom belongs to all humanity, not just to you. Little Junior Sister, don't you agree?"

"Yes, yes," Qi Yaoguang nodded. Just as Hei Baizi let out a sigh of relief, she changed the subject. "Mr. Zu's wisdom indeed belongs to all humanity, and humanity's future lies in the stars and seas. So, he should observe the celestial phenomena with me every night and discuss Zi Wei Dou Shu."

"You little brat! I've spoiled you for nothing all these years. Believe it or not, I'll beat you!"

"Hmph, bring it on! Who's afraid of whom? You can't beat me at chess, so do you think you can beat me in a fight?"

Watching the group bickering, each arguing until their faces were red, the Crown Princess in the wooden house was so astonished her jaw nearly dropped. *Are these really the academy teachers, known in the capital's circles for their unwavering integrity and aloofness?*

At this point, even the Grand Libation couldn't stand it anymore. He gave a light cough and said, "All of you, get out! Don't disturb my peaceful cultivation with your noisy squabbling."

Sensing their teacher's anger, the squabbling individuals dared not be presumptuous any longer. They quickly bowed respectfully towards the wooden house, then sheepishly departed.

As they walked, they whispered among themselves:"Do you think Teacher is really angry?""What's there for Teacher to be angry about?"

Jiang Luofu, standing nearby, finally couldn't help but retort, "Heh, all of you are calling him 'Mr. Zu' as if you're about to take him as your master. Where does that leave Teacher's reputation?"

"Didn't Teacher once teach us, 'When three walk together, one of them is bound to be my teacher'?" Wang Shuyang said thoughtfully. "Even if we really did take Mr. Zu as our master, it shouldn't be a big deal, right?"

Jiang Luofu looked exasperated. "When did your emotional intelligence become as low as Little Junior Sister's? You actually took those ceremonial words seriously?"

Qi Yaoguang retorted, "Eighth Senior Sister, scold them if you want, but why bring me into it?"

The other senior brothers exchanged glances, feeling guilty, realizing they might have inadvertently offended their master.

Jiang Luofu seized the opportunity to pull Zu An away. "I still need to take him to complete some procedures, so I won't be joining you."

The others were all preoccupied with their worries and didn't bother trying to stop them.

Zu An asked curiously, "Where are we going now?"

"Didn't you say you wanted an alchemy furnace?" Jiang Luofu replied. "I'm taking you to see Fourth Senior Brother."

Zu An was taken aback. "Didn't you tell them we were going to complete some procedures?"

Jiang Luofu rolled her eyes. "How else was I supposed to get rid of them?"

Zu An let out a helpless laugh. "I didn't expect you to have such a cunning side, Sister."

A faint smile touched Jiang Luofu's lips. "When dealing with those guys, you have to be extra careful. So, don't ever offend me in the future, or I might just get my revenge."

Zu An asked curiously, "How would you get your revenge, Sister?"

Jiang Luofu's lips curved upwards. "Have you forgotten my area of specialization? I am a Legalist scholar, well-versed in all thirteen thousand six hundred and eighty-two types of punishments throughout history. If you're interested, I can let you experience each and every one of them."

Zu An, however, showed no fear. "Since you are a Legalist scholar, Sister, you naturally wouldn't break the law yourself. As long as I don't violate any relevant laws, I imagine you wouldn't punish me over a small matter."

"Oh?" Jiang Luofu was slightly surprised. "You really are something. I initially thought your ability to win them over was just a coincidence, but seeing this, you truly seem knowledgeable in various fields. That's rather strange. After all, a person's energy is limited. How do you know so much at such a young age?"

Zu An's heart tensed, but his tone remained casual. "I don't know either. Ever since I was little, I seemed to grasp things just by reading them. I've read a bit of everything, so I know a little about many things, but I'm not proficient in any of them, unlike those of you who have deeply cultivated your specialized fields."

Jiang Luofu chuckled. "You're quite modest, aren't you? Are you perhaps afraid we'll get jealous? But then again, your super-grade talent truly is enviable."

Zu An probed, "Does Grand Libation also know about my talent?" He wondered if that was why the Grand Libation regarded him so highly.

Jiang Luofu shook her head. "This matter is too significant. Without your permission, why would I reveal it to others? It could inadvertently endanger your life."

Zu An felt a warmth in his heart. "You're so good to me, Sister. I have no way to repay you. How about I serve you like an ox or a horse for the rest of my life?"

Jiang Luofu laughed. "I don't plow fields, so what would I do with an ox or a horse?"

Zu An felt a little regretful. *Serving as an ox or horse would only require grass, and she's not even willing to accept that.*

Just then, Zu An's heart tightened. He quickly pulled Jiang Luofu back and dodged. "Watch out!"

No sooner had he spoken than a colossal figure landed precisely where he had just stood, raising a cloud of dust and shaking the entire ground.

Zu An watched the enormous object before him with vigilance. It was over ten feet tall, entirely brown, and while he initially thought it was some kind of demonic beast, there was no sign of life from it. Yet, its form was very similar to a human, just magnified many times over.

"Is this... a robot?" Zu An asked, somewhat disbelieving.

At this point, Jiang Luofu stopped him. "Don't worry. This is Fourth Senior Brother's guardian puppet. It probably mistook you for an intruder because it hasn't seen you before." She then took out a token and held it out in front of the puppet. "I need to see Fourth Senior Brother on important business."

A red light flashed in the puppet's eyes, scanning her token. Immediately after, a stiff, dry voice intoned, "Identity verification passed. Proceed."

After speaking, the puppet moved to the side, then slowly sat down on the ground. The red light in its eyes faded, and it remained there like a lifeless statue, showing no trace of its formidable presence from moments before.

Zu An kept looking back, his expression a little excited. *A robot! For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to his previous world on Earth.*