Chapter 87: Dignity

"What's wrong with your student again? Any student of this school is subject to its rules!" Rude's eyelids twitched as he watched Bai Susu flustered, wishing he could bury her on the spot. "Zu An's gambling has had a negative impact, and he openly defied a teacher in school. Either offense is enough to warrant expulsion."

Zu An was not in a hurry. He still had a trump card, but now that Bai Susu had stepped forward to help him, he was naturally happy to watch the show.

Bai Susu shook her head: "Brother Rude, you're wrong about that. Zu An's gambling took place off-campus, and school rules only apply to on-campus behavior, don't they? As for defying a teacher, I also heard about what just happened. Yang Wei was the one who initiated the bet, and Zu An merely reacted to it. If he's to be punished for this, outsiders might suspect that our academy is deliberately biased to protect our teacher who lost. This rumor wouldn't just spread in Mingyue City; it might spread throughout the world, and then all our teachers would be ridiculed as sore losers."

Hearing her intimate address of "Brother Rude," Rude felt a chill down his spine. However, he had to admit there was some truth to her words. But the thought that this was supported by his old rival, Bai Susu, made it impossible for him to agree, no matter how logical it was. Just as he intended to punish Zu An, Bai Susu wasn't necessarily acting out of friendship; she was probably just trying to spite him and cause trouble.

Thinking this, Rude naturally refused to back down: "Hmph, I am the school's Dean of Instruction. I decide how students are punished; there's no need for Teacher Bai to interfere."

Bai Susu trembled with anger, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Rude as she cursed, "You, surnamed Lu, are you completely unreasonable? This is an abuse of power, and I'm going to report you!"

Rude immediately laughed: "Even if you report me to the capital, this matter still falls under my jurisdiction. What, are you not convinced? How about we have a little sparring match?"

"Hmph, let's fight then, who's afraid of you?" Bai Susu scoffed softly, pulling out a peach blossom from her sleeve. A powerful aura emanated outwards, causing the surrounding students to stagger back.

Seeing the discomfited expressions of others, Zu An wondered, "That's strange, why do I feel nothing?" He couldn't help but glance thoughtfully at Shang Liuyu, who stood calmly in front of him.

Seeing her produce the peach blossom, Rude's expression changed. A disciplinary ruler also appeared and hovered above his head, as if ready to strike at any moment.

Unlike the students from the Xuan and Huang classes, who were scrambling to flee, the students from the Heaven and Earth classes watched the two people in the arena with wide eyes and excited expressions.

These two were likely the most powerful individuals in the school besides the principal herself. Sixth-rank masters! Some people wouldn't see such a person in their entire lives, let alone witness them fighting.

Those with Fifth-rank cultivation, like Yuan Wendong, stared intently at the scene, hoping to gain some inspiration from the spar that might prove greatly beneficial for their future breakthroughs. It was known that while the Fifth and Sixth ranks appeared to be only one realm apart, the gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth. Many people spent their entire lives stuck at the Fifth-rank, never managing to break through.

Only Pei Mianman yawned boredly, instinctively glancing towards Zu An. She saw him staring at Shang Liuyu's perfect profile, and a smile involuntarily appeared on her lips: "What a lecherous fellow."

The tension in the air grew thicker. A hint of solemnity appeared on Bai Susu's enchanting face, while Rude's expression was one of bitter resentment. Both sides were highly strung, constantly searching for weaknesses in the other.

"You two have been staring each other down for so long, are you going to fight or not?"

Just as everyone was holding their breath in extreme tension, a lazy voice suddenly broke the silence. Turning to look, they saw Zu An stretching impatiently.

Enrage points from Bai Susu +666!Enrage points from Rude +666!

Everyone else looked on in shock. To dare to offend both the Dean and Bai Susu at the same time—what courage!

Zu An couldn't help it. "Is it easy for me to earn some enrage points? I'm completely risking my life here."

Bai Susu and Rude exchanged glances, as if reading each other's thoughts: "Let's not fight each other; why don't we deal with this troublemaker first?"

Just as they reached this unspoken agreement to stop, a cold, authoritative voice boomed, "What are you all doing?!"

Bai Susu and Rude's expressions changed. They hastily put away their weapons and respectfully bowed to the newcomer. "Greetings, Principal."

"Greetings, Principal!""Greetings, Principal!"

Other teachers and students bowed in greeting. Zu An couldn't help but show surprise; he hadn't expected this beautiful principal to command such high prestige.

A beautiful figure slowly approached. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features picturesque. Her elegant hair was pulled up, revealing her long, slender, pale neck, exuding an air of nobility. Anyone who saw her would genuinely exclaim, "What a great beauty!" Yet, her gaze was sharp as lightning, and despite her radiance, she possessed an unapproachable and formidable dignity.

Beneath the hem of her skirt, her shapely, firm thighs were subtly visible, further accentuated by tightly wrapped flesh-toned stockings, truly showcasing a pair of perfectly long legs.

Zu An couldn't help but maliciously wonder if everyone bowing in greeting was taking the opportunity to peek at her legs.

He glanced at Wei Suo nearby and saw him indeed fixated on Jiang Luofu's beautiful legs, his eyes filled with fervent excitement. He seemed incredibly stimulated, constantly swallowing.

What a pervert!

Zu An secretly scorned him but couldn't help but glance at Shang Liuyu. He had seen her in the pavilion last time, and the allure of her long legs was in no way inferior to Principal Jiang's. However, today she was wearing a long dress, only subtly revealing her ankles. What a shame he couldn't feast his eyes again.

"What are you looking at?" Shang Liuyu's slightly curious voice came.

Zu An smiled slightly: "You know, you could wear slightly shorter skirts. It's such a waste to hide such beautiful legs."

Shang Liuyu was momentarily taken aback, then a faint blush appeared on her face: "If I hadn't seen you in the pavilion before, you wouldn't get off lightly saying such things to me. Remember, from now on, students should act like students. Don't casually flirt with teachers."

"Can't flirt casually, so does that mean I can flirt seriously?" Zu An said with a smile.

A peculiar expression appeared between Shang Liuyu's picturesque brows: "With your self-destructive nature, it's no wonder so many people want to deal with you after only a few days at school."

Zu An shrugged: "They're just jealous of my dashing good looks and charming personality. See, not a single woman in this school has tried to deal with me, have they?"

Shang Liuyu paused, realizing it was true. It was always men who tried to deal with him, while the women, one by one, helped him resolve his difficulties. Even someone like Bai Susu, who seemed somewhat androgynous, appeared to be protecting him.

The sight of the two whispering fell into Jiang Luofu's eyes from not far away. She couldn't help but inwardly snort: "This brat lied to me, saying he didn't know Shang Liuyu. Look how heated their conversation is now."

She knew Shang Liuyu's personality best. Though interacting with her felt pleasant and she seemed gentle and easygoing on the surface, she always maintained a sufficient distance from everyone. Deep down, she possessed a natural aloofness and detachment. Jiang Luofu had never seen her chat so happily with anyone before.

Withdrawing her gaze, Jiang Luofu cleared her throat and glared at Rude and Bai Susu: "What are you two doing? As teachers, are you fighting in school? And with so many students watching?"

Bai Susu covered her mouth and chuckled softly: "Principal Sister, you've misunderstood. This whole incident was provoked by Rude, who was deliberately targeting a student. If you don't believe me, ask the people around us."

Seeing her directly pin the blame on him, Rude was so angry he nearly fumed. However, explaining the reason was more urgent: "Principal, it's mainly because Zu An showed no respect for his elders and gambled everywhere, causing a terrible influence. So I intended to expel him, but then this 'Bai' person insisted on standing against me."

Seeing the two blame each other, a hint of helplessness appeared on Jiang Luofu's face: "Alright, alright, you two don't need to accuse each other. I already know the full story of this matter. Since Teacher Yang Wei was the one who initiated the bet, and now he has lost, he should naturally accept the outcome. Let's not let outsiders laugh at our Mingyue Academy for being sore losers."

Yang Wei had fled due to the enormous blow he suffered earlier, but after calming down, he realized that a teacher's position, officially conferred by the imperial court, offered immense privileges, both in terms of reputation and tangible benefits, far beyond those of ordinary people. It wouldn't be worth it to throw away this 'golden rice bowl' by fleeing for a moment of humiliation. So, he braced himself and returned, thinking that even if he couldn't hold his head high at school afterward, he must keep this teaching position. The worst that could happen was enduring some humiliation.

However, no sooner had he returned than he heard Principal Jiang's words, which completely sealed his fate.

Considering how much determination it took for him to return, he was naturally unwilling to give up. He quickly jumped out and shouted, "I am, after all, an official teacher conferred by the imperial court and registered with the Ministry of Rites. Even as the principal, you don't have the authority to dismiss me."

A chorus of jeers immediately erupted from the surroundings; clearly, no one had expected him to have the nerve to come back.

Jiang Luofu said coldly, "As an arithmetic teacher, you can't even compare to a student in your own professional field. We have no need for such a teacher. I will personally submit a petition to the Ministry of Rites, and the official document revoking your teaching position will be in your hands before long."

With her intelligence, how could she not see that Yang Wei was deliberately targeting Zu An today? She couldn't be bothered to guess who was behind his actions; she simply decided to dismiss him outright.

If Zu An had been an ordinary student, she might have weighed the options, but this young man was too special. His identity as the Chu family's son-in-law was one thing—that didn't really impress her—but the crucial point was that he possessed the legendary super-grade talent, and there were various mysterious things about him that even piqued her curiosity.

How could she allow such a promising individual, with limitless future potential, to 'perish prematurely' in her school? Compared to his potential, what was a mere Third-rank official of the Ministry of Revenue or an arithmetic teacher worth?

Upon hearing these words, Yang Wei felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He had no face left to stay there and frantically ran out. He didn't want to stay in that place for another second, especially not with Zu An and that wicked smile on his lips; he just wanted to tear his mouth off.

Enrage points from Yang Wei +999!

Seeing the message from the system, Zu An was speechless. "He took the brunt from the Principal, yet he resents me. This guy is truly a coward who picks on the weak and fears the strong."

At this moment, Yang Wei's eyes were filled with madness. "That bitch made me come here today. I thought it would be an easy task, but who knew I would suffer such an unprecedented humiliation in my life? I must settle this score with that bitch. If she doesn't give me an explanation, I'm not done with her!"

Seeing Yang Wei's fleeing figure, Rude frowned. Then he looked at Jiang Luofu and said, "Principal, Yang Wei's fate is indeed his own fault, but shouldn't Zu An also be punished for openly defying a teacher and gambling with a teacher in school?"