Chapter 341: Doubtful Elders

Elders’ Hall.

All the teachers who came for the interviews had left, and Dean Xie was also gone, leaving only the elders.

“The class left by Teacher Bai Fang is one of the best classes in the entire school, but also the most difficult to manage. I wonder if this Teacher Liu can subdue them and make them obedient!” An elder couldn’t help but shake his head, recalling the dean’s earlier arrangements.

The students in this class had high innate talent and cultivation, but that was only one aspect. More importantly, many of them came from influential backgrounds. Not to mention anyone else, that leader, Mu Xueqing, was the only daughter of Master Alchemist Mu, a two-star alchemist. She was cherished like a treasure, highly cultivated, and full of mischief. Which ordinary teacher would dare offend her?

“I’m afraid it will be very difficult! These students are a lot of trouble. Have you forgotten? The previous teachers we sent couldn’t even stay for a day before they left!” Another elder said with a wry smile. “If that weren’t the case, we wouldn’t need to specially hire a teacher from outside!”

The main reason for hiring a teacher mid-semester wasn't because a few teachers were unavailable. After all, a teacher who could manage ten students could also manage twenty. If these classes were redistributed to other teachers or a few teachers were temporarily reassigned, it would have been manageable. The primary issue was that the students in these classes were uncooperative!

Especially this particular class. Several teachers had been assigned to it before, but none lasted more than a few days before being driven away. With a group of students from influential families who couldn't be overly punished, after several such incidents, everyone had a massive headache, and no teacher dared to take on the class anymore. With no other option, they had to recruit from outside the school.

“However, it’s not entirely certain. This Teacher Liu managed to easily solve problems of disinterest and truancy, and even lectured the dean. He’s clearly no ordinary person. Perhaps he really can suppress this group of students, who knows!”

“This Teacher Liu is indeed very bold, but those students are also troublemakers! When the two meet, I wonder what kind of conflict will arise!”

“Do you think they might actually fight?” an elder suddenly asked with worry.

“This…” Everyone was stunned.

If it were any other teacher, they would be wary of the Teacher Guild and their own status, making it impossible to physically strike a student. But this Teacher Liu might be different. He even dared to directly call the dignified one-star master teacher and dean “blind”; if Mu Xueqing and the others went too far, he might genuinely resort to physical force in front of so many people! If the students were unpredictable troublemakers, then Teacher Liu was even more so… Didn't the dean look utterly dejected and turn around to leave as soon as the meeting ended?

“Oh no, if a fight breaks out, given the backgrounds of these students, it could turn into a massive storm!”

“You’re right, quickly go stop them!”

Realizing the gravity of the situation, all the elders’ faces changed simultaneously. They could no longer sit still and stood up in unison. If a scandal involving a teacher assaulting students truly broke out, their Heavenly Martial Academy would likely become the laughingstock of all surrounding kingdoms! It might even provoke the Master Teacher Pavilion to intervene directly.

Understanding the seriousness of the matter, over a dozen elders rushed frantically towards the classroom where Zhang Xuan (Teacher Liu) was currently located.

“It’s over, look!” Before they even reached the classroom, an elder couldn't help but cry out in alarm.

Following the shout, everyone hastily looked over and immediately saw a girl kneeling upright outside the classroom, motionless. When they clearly saw her face, everyone stumbled, nearly fainting on the spot. It was none other than Mu Xueqing, the most notorious student in that class! This girl had excellent talent, high cultivation, and an influential background, already causing headaches for teachers. To make her kneel directly outside the door… Teacher Liu, you're stirring up a massive problem!

They hurried forward.

“Niece Xueqing, why are you kneeling here? Get up quickly!” An elder was the first to approach. This elder wasn't even a master teacher apprentice; he would respectfully address Mu Xueqing’s father as Master Alchemist Mu. Seeing this scene, how could he remain calm?

“I won’t get up!” Mu Xueqing shook her head. “I made a mistake and am willing to accept the punishment. If I get up now, Teacher Liu will surely expel me. How could I face my family then?”

“We’ll handle that Teacher Liu…” Elder Bai was startled, his words dying in his throat, eyes wide. He had expected her to cry and beg them to deal with Teacher Liu, never in his wildest dreams expecting her to say this. “Ah, what did you say?”

“You… willingly accept punishment? You made a mistake?” The other elders were also bewildered. Mu Xueqing was known as the “Little Devil” in the academy, which showed how lawless she was. Yet now she was kneeling at the door, admitting her mistake… It felt incredibly unbelievable.

“Yes, after Teacher Liu’s guidance, I realized my shortcomings and willingly wish to become his student. I ask that the elders no longer try to persuade me.” Mu Xueqing’s gaze was firm. The Teacher Liu just now had immediately pointed out her problems, and even identified the issues with the other students. He was definitely a person of great ability. She had also heard her father mention the issue of pill toxins; it was something every cultivator encountered and was unavoidable. Since Teacher Liu mentioned it casually, perhaps he could even solve it. If she missed such an opportunity, such a teacher, she would surely regret it for the rest of her life. Though she was mischievous, she wasn't foolish.

“Guidance? Realized shortcomings?” Elder Bai and the others were completely at a loss. Since when had Mu Xueqing become so obedient? If she had been like this earlier, several teachers wouldn’t have been driven away in frustration.

“Elder Bai, do you think this Teacher Liu… resorted to physical force?” An elder suddenly realized something, his face turning pale.

Everyone’s bodies trembled. It was indeed possible. That previous student had changed his attitude after being beaten. Could Mu Xueqing be the same? Thinking this, they all simultaneously looked at the girl, but found no injuries on her body.

*Creak!*

While they were still wondering, the door opened. A student walked out; it was Meng Tao.

“Senior sister, the teacher wants you to come in!”

“Yes!” Hearing the teacher’s permission, Mu Xueqing immediately jumped up and rushed in with an excited face, not even bothering to greet them.

“This… doesn't look like she was beaten…” an elder couldn’t help but say, his face flushed. If she had been forced into submission by a beating, there would be injuries. Even without injuries, being beaten would surely lead to resentment. But now, being told to go in, she jumped up excitedly, her face flushed with enthusiasm… Who had ever seen someone beaming with happiness and excitement after being beaten?

But… if she wasn’t beaten, how could this girl, who defied everyone, be so obedient, even kneeling outside the door?

“You are Meng Tao, right!” Seeing the young man hadn't gone in yet, an elder hastily called out, “Your grandfather Meng Fan and I are good friends; we met last time!”

“Elder Jin!” Hearing the shout, Meng Tao finally noticed so many people gathered at the door. His body stiffened, and he quickly bowed. This Elder Jin was a good friend of his grandfather, and they had met many times.

“Did your Teacher Liu… not… physically punish you all?” Elder Jin asked.

The other elders also quickly pricked up their ears.

“Physical punishment?” Meng Tao was momentarily stunned. “Teacher Liu has a kind demeanor, how could he possibly resort to physical punishment?”

“Then… what about Mu Xueqing just now…” Elder Jin gestured.

“Oh, that was Senior Sister Mu’s choice. The teacher didn’t say anything, he just told her to pack her things and leave this classroom to go to other classes. Senior Sister was unwilling and kept kneeling outside!” Meng Tao explained.

“Voluntarily?” The elders exchanged bewildered glances again. According to past experiences, if any teacher dared to say that to her, shouldn't this young lady have roared and caused a scene at the Elders’ Hall? How could she say nothing and willingly kneel?

“Elders, Teacher Liu is lecturing, so I won’t say more. Please excuse me!” Without further explanation, Meng Tao quickly entered the room.

“This?” Seeing him also behave this way, the elders couldn't resist pushing the classroom door open a crack and peeking inside.

Looking through the crack, they saw all the students standing respectfully before Teacher Liu, incredibly well-behaved. They did whatever Teacher Liu asked without the slightest hesitation or unnecessary movements. Was this truly the most chaotic and difficult class in the academy? How did they all suddenly become like this? Even if Teacher Liu had the ability to win students’ trust, how much time had passed? In less than half an hour, he had made the most mischievous students bow down and obey, not daring to make a sound…

Who could tell them what exactly had happened?

All the elders were completely bewildered.