Chapter 208: You Must Be Teacher Zhang Xuan

"Lu Xun, what do you mean by that?"

Hearing this, Huang Yu, who was standing nearby, could no longer hold back. What did he mean by "being scolded" or "losing reputation"? Teacher Zhang was invited by the three Master Teachers to attend the birthday banquet. How could he say it made him a disgrace?

"It means nothing. People of certain statuses go to certain places. Miss Huang Yu, I know you are an assistant teacher, deeply trusted and favored by Master Liu. However, you cannot act recklessly. This is Elder Tian's birthday banquet, you'd best be careful! Who is Elder Tian? He was once Master Liu's teacher, holding a half-teacher relationship with him. If you bring a notorious low-level teacher here and displease Master Liu, it will cause trouble!"

Lu Xun shook his head. His expression showed no sarcasm or anger; he merely seemed to be stating the most ordinary facts. In his eyes, whether Zhang Xuan truly scored zero on the teacher qualification examination was irrelevant. This fellow was merely a low-level teacher, completely unqualified to attend such a high-level birthday banquet. Forcing him to come would only lower one's own standing. It was like bringing a beggar to a grand restaurant; no matter how beautifully dressed or how elegant one was, being dragged down by a companion would make one a laughingstock. A dragon remains a dragon when with a phoenix. With a pig, it's just a dog.

"You..."

Hearing this, Huang Yu was so angry she wanted to say more, but then she saw Zhang Xuan wave his hand, walk to the table, and sit down. He casually picked up a teacup, poured a full bowl of tea, and looked up at the two conceited celebrity teachers before him.

"So after all that, I'm a notorious low-level teacher. If that's the case... Great Teacher Lu, why do you still want to have a teacher assessment with me? Wouldn't that tarnish your brilliant reputation?"

Initially, he couldn't be bothered with these two pretentious individuals, but then... "You're testing my patience, aren't you? What, am I not allowed to put you in your place?"

Hearing this, Huang Yu and Bai Xun exchanged glances, both sighing with admiration. As expected of Master Zhang, his words were truly sharp. "That's right, didn't you say bringing him would drag me down? If that's the case, why would you, a renowned celebrity teacher, compete with him? Isn't that just slapping your own face?"

"You?" Lu Xun chuckled softly, showing no sign of being offended. He lifted an eyelid. "You're merely a stepping stone for me to advance. If you must blame someone, blame your bad luck for running into me."

"A stepping stone?"

"Indeed. Tomorrow's teacher assessment will surely attract Master Yang and the three Master Teachers. At that time, Brother Lu will display his teaching achievements, and the four Master Teachers will undoubtedly look upon him with new eyes. Brother Lu will then leap through the dragon's gate, becoming a true assistant apprentice, while you will merely be a foil!" Wang Chao smiled faintly, looking over with a pitying gaze. "He's just a stepping stone, and he really thinks he's someone important? To be honest, being able to step on you means we think highly of you. You should feel honored."

"Are you so sure you'll win?" Realizing then what the other party was planning, Zhang Xuan shook his head. He didn't know the thoughts of the three Master Teachers, but "Master Yang" certainly wouldn't come to watch, nor would he take Lu Xun as an apprentice.

"Actually, winning or losing doesn't matter. There might be something else you don't know!" Just as Wang Chao and Lu Xun were about to speak further, Tian Long, who was nearby, started to laugh.

"What?" Wang Chao looked over.

Tian Long chuckled softly, his face full of confidence. "Master Liu's visit to the Imperial City this time, to congratulate my grandfather on his birthday, is just one purpose. His main objective is to take Brother Lu as an assistant teacher. This was supposed to be a secret, but Master Liu mentioned it in the letter he wrote to my grandfather. I happened to see it, so I know all about it."

"Oh? Really?" Clearly unaware of this news himself, Lu Xun's eyes lit up.

"Of course. Given Brother Lu's great reputation, it's perfectly normal for a Master Teacher to appreciate him. Master Liu is my grandfather's student, so he wouldn't dare conceal anything. He wrote everything explicitly in the letter. It was precisely because I knew all this that I sent you the invitation. The plan is to help introduce you here, leading to a master-student recognition and a direct apprenticeship, which will become a beautiful story!" Tian Long stated.

"Thank you for your kindness, Elder Tian..." Hearing such confirmation from the other party, Lu Xun stood up, his face full of excitement. Knowing that there was no hope with Master Yang, he had again turned his attention to the three Master Teachers. However, it seemed the three Master Teachers hadn't been around these past two days, and he couldn't reach them during his visits, which made him somewhat anxious. He had thought his hopes would be dashed, just like with Master Yang, but he never dreamed that Master Liu had already taken a liking to him. This is truly wonderful.

"It seems we'll be fellow apprentices from now on..." Smiling happily, Lu Xun looked at Huang Yu, showing a benevolent smile.

"Who's your fellow apprentice!" Huang Yu scoffed. She didn't know what Master Liu truly intended, but since Tian Long dared to say such a thing, he must be confident. Could it be... she would really become a fellow apprentice with this guy? Huang Yu felt conflicted. This guy's conceited expression annoyed her immensely. However, to be honest, this guy genuinely possessed substantial ability, and even she couldn't help but admire him. To be able to flourish so greatly in the Tianxuan Kingdom without the guidance of a Master Teacher, he must have profound insights into teaching students.

"Did you hear that? Brother Lu is about to become a Master Teacher's apprentice. Do you still have the nerve to stay here?" Receiving such good news, Wang Chao was also delighted. He looked again at Zhang Xuan, who sat before him with an indifferent expression, feeling even more disgusted.

"About to be? Hasn't he been accepted yet?" Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered with the happiness of these few people. He also hadn't expected that Master Liu had already taken a liking to Lu Xun. He couldn't help but consider whether to use his "Yang Xuan" identity to dissuade him. After all, if "Yang Xuan" really took Liu Ling as a student, then Lu Xun would be his grand-disciple. And this guy was so conceited and pretentious... Having such a grand-disciple would be quite displeasing! He really didn't want him!

"Go on, keep up the act. Let's see if you can still pretend in a while..." Seeing this guy feigning indifference and showing no remorse, the two people desperately hoping to become his grand-disciples looked at him with utter disdain. They had seen people who didn't know their place, but never anyone so utterly clueless. As soon as the three Master Teachers arrived, Lu Xun would immediately become an assistant Master Teacher. With everything laid out like this, how could he still have the nerve to stay here? How could he be so shameless? Moreover, he just sat there, motionless, pouring and drinking tea... How could he possibly drink that tea! If it were me, I would have been so humiliated I'd have jumped off a building...

"Haha, Brother Wang, you shouldn't say that. Just now, I heard Xiao Yu and Young Prince Bai refer to this Teacher Zhang as Master Zhang. I hear he's a calligraphy and painting master, quite impressive!" Seeing Zhang Xuan's impudence beyond imagination, Tian Long said with a half-smile.

"Calligraphy and painting master?" Lu Xun put his hands behind his back and glanced over disdainfully. "You're talking about a calligraphy and painting master to me? Don't you find that laughable? There's a limit to boasting!" Although he hadn't been home for many years, how could he not know how difficult it was to become a calligraphy and painting master? A notoriously useless teacher from the academy, who somehow got involved with Huang Yu and made a bit of a stir, but now he's getting more and more addicted to putting on airs, isn't he?

"Indeed, Brother Tian, you must have misheard. Brother Lu was born into a family of calligraphy and painting. His father, Master Lu Chen, is the most formidable calligraphy and painting master in the Tianxuan Kingdom, and even Emperor Shen Zhui once studied under him. Brother Lu has been exposed to these things the most since childhood, so how could he not know if there's a calligraphy and painting master in the kingdom?" Wang Chao also shook his head with a smile.

"With you two speaking up, I feel relieved. I really thought it was true just now, after all, Master Yu..." Just as Tian Long was about to reveal Master Yu's earlier attitude, he heard a commotion and chaos downstairs.

"Hurry, the three Master Teachers are here!"

"And Emperor Shen Zhui, quickly go up and greet them..." The murmuring started.

"The three Master Teachers and Emperor Shen Zhui have arrived?" Hearing the commotion downstairs, Tian Long immediately stopped talking and looked at Lu Xun and Wang Chao. "Brother Lu, Brother Wang, let's go down to greet them too!"

"Alright!" With the arrival of the three Master Teachers, those in the room could no longer sit still and rushed downstairs.

"Senior Sister Huang Yu, let's go and greet the teachers!" Lu Xun smiled.

"Who's your senior sister..." Huang Yu snorted, looking at Zhang Xuan.

"Let's go down!" Knowing that as a student, Huang Yu would certainly go to greet her teachers upon their arrival, Zhang Xuan nodded. Besides, he had come precisely to see the three Master Teachers, so since they were here, he might as well go and see.

A flurry! Several people filed out in quick succession. By now, the ground floor was already empty. Walking out of the hall, they indeed saw several figures walking along the passage ahead: Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei—the three Master Teachers—and Emperor Shen Zhui. While these individuals were utterly respectful in front of Master Yang, here, they still exuded a powerful aura.

"Greetings, Master Liu, Master Zhuang, Master Zheng, and greetings, Your Majesty!" Among those attending the birthday banquet were many patriarchs and elders of prominent families, all of whom now bowed their heads.

"We are here to congratulate Elder Tian on his birthday, just like all of you. Please, don't be so formal." Emperor Shen Zhui said with a smile. He spoke casually, but the others dared not. They all offered polite smiles, afraid to speak.

"Let's go over!" Seeing the three Master Teachers and Emperor Shen Zhui approaching, Tian Long smiled faintly, leading Lu Xun and Wang Chao to greet them. Huang Yu, as a Master Teacher's apprentice, naturally wouldn't fall behind and walked alongside Bai Xun and Zhang Xuan.

"Teachers!" Upon reaching them, Huang Yu and Bai Xun bowed simultaneously.

"Did you bring the person?" Seeing the two, Liu Ling, Zhuang Xian, and Zheng Fei's eyes lit up at the same time. For the past two days, they had been disguising themselves and waiting at Hongtian Academy for Zhang Xuan to appear, hoping to find an opportunity to take him as an apprentice. They never dreamed that the fellow hadn't returned at all, as if he had vanished, and even Emperor Shen Zhui couldn't find a trace of him. Having no other choice, they had sent Huang Yu and Bai Xun to look for him, initially without much hope. However, seeing no hint of dejection on the two's faces now, their hearts stirred.

"Yes, he's here. He's this person next to me..." Just as Huang Yu was about to introduce him, Lu Xun, who was beside her, interrupted. He stepped forward excitedly, cupping his fists. "I am Lu Xun. Greetings, Master Liu, Master Zhuang, Master Zheng..."

After introducing himself, he expected the three Master Teachers to immediately greet him warmly and take him as an apprentice. Instead, they completely ignored him, as if they hadn't seen him at all. They walked straight to Tian Long, surrounded him, and smiled profusely.

"You must be Teacher Zhang Xuan, right? We've finally met you in person. You were so hard to find..."

"Uh?" Tian Long stood frozen.