Chapter 386: Master Kong Takes Disciples, Sage's Students

Before falling unconscious, an immense grievance filled his heart.

"I kindly sought you out, first got poisoned by your student, then was slapped unconscious by you...""Who exactly did I offend?"

"Teacher Liu..."Zhao Wuxing and the others also looked utterly confused.

Ignoring everyone's surprise, Zhang Xuan took out silver needles. With his *zhenqi* surging, he pierced several of the other person's acupuncture points. He had read about "Earth Dry Powder" poison, knowing its symptoms and treatment methods. Normally, it would require preparing an antidote, which was quite troublesome. However, using silver needles and Heaven's Path *zhenqi* made it very simple.

His *zhenqi* was exceedingly pure, something outsiders couldn't know. Mo Hongyi was a genius with similar strength to him; rather than having no way to explain it later, it was better to knock him out first.

Soon after, more than a dozen silver needles were inserted into the areas where the poisonous qi was most concentrated on his body. Under the circulation of the Heaven's Path *zhenqi*, the toxins were absorbed by the needles, gradually turning them black. Mo Hongyi's slightly pale complexion also eased, slowly becoming more rosy.

"Amazing..."Zhao Wuxing and the others exchanged glances, each filled with shock. They had long heard that Teacher Liu had consecutively resolved nineteen difficult and complex illnesses, becoming the Guild Master of the Physician Guild, and that his medical skills were incredibly profound. Only by witnessing it firsthand did they realize how formidable he was. With just a few needles, he restored the weak Teacher Sun. There was no need for even a diagnosis. Compared to him, the teachers who taught medical skills at the academy were utterly worthless.

"You two, take Teacher Sun back. He should wake up in about an hour!"After finishing the needling and confirming that all the toxins in the other person's body were gone, Zhang Xuan waved his hand. A peak Tier 2 poison was extremely terrifying. Even after being resolved, it would still require a period of recovery time. Of course, if he injected more Heaven's Path *zhenqi*, he could awaken quickly, but that would be equally troublesome and unexplainable.

"Yes!" Zhao Wuxing and another person, one on each side, helped Teacher Sun towards his classroom.

"Someone tried to poison me. Mo Hongyi just happened to be there and unluckily drank the water with the poison powder... But who wants to kill me?" Rubbing his temples, Zhang Xuan couldn't figure it out at all. His current identity was "Liu Cheng." He hadn't offended many people. Who would go to such great lengths, acquiring such precious poison powder, to try and kill him? Could it be someone from the Physician Guild? Unconvinced after he became the Guild Master? He shook his head. Physicians saved lives and healed the injured, possessing kind hearts. Even if an official physician had ill intentions, they wouldn't resort to such underhanded methods. Not to mention that this Earth Dry Powder wasn't lethal. More importantly, even if it killed him, the main guild would easily trace it, making it not worth the trouble.

After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't figure out who wanted to kill him. He rubbed his temples and stopped dwelling on it.

"Let's go check on Lu Chong's place!"

Meng Tao led the way, and they soon arrived at the student dormitories. Lu Chong didn't live with other students but in a small house next to the dormitories, a place used for mops and miscellaneous items. Student dorms at Tianwu Academy usually housed four students per room. He likely chose this spot out of concern that he might reveal secrets while talking in his sleep. Although the storage room was small and messy, it offered privacy, allowing him to keep his secrets.

"Lu Chong, Lu Chong, why didn't you come to class today? Your teacher came to see you!"Arriving at the door, Meng Tao knocked a few times. Hearing no response, Zhang Xuan's heart sank. This guy couldn't possibly have succumbed to the severe poison and died, could he? Without hesitation, he kicked the door open and entered. The room was small and filled with various miscellaneous items, but it was kept very clean. In the farthest corner, a small bed, only large enough for one person, was empty.

"No one?"The place was tiny, and he quickly scanned it, finding no one. This meant... Lu Chong wasn't here.

"Teacher..."Meng Tao, sharp-eyed, spotted something, picked it up, and handed it over. It was a letter, addressed with the words "For Teacher Liu's eyes only." It seemed he knew Zhang Xuan would come looking and had already prepared for it. He casually tore it open. There was only one line of text, simple and clear:

"Teacher Liu, please forgive this unfilial student. The revenge for my parents and kin must be taken. Do not worry about me!"

"He... went to seek revenge?" His brows furrowed. He knew Lu Chong was consumed by a burning desire for revenge and thought about it every day, but rushing off immediately after completing his Poison Body cultivation seemed a bit too hasty! However, upon reflection, it made sense. The hatred for his parents and kin was irreconcilable. After enduring for more than two years, and now with significantly increased strength, he definitely couldn't hold back anymore.

"I wonder who his enemies are..." Lu Chong, fearing to implicate his teacher, had never revealed who his enemies were. Now that he had run off for revenge, it would be hard to find him even if one wanted to!

"For the next two days, pay close attention. If anyone is killed in Tianwu Royal City, or if there's any unrest, inform me immediately!" Zhang Xuan instructed. This group of students had prominent backgrounds. If he tried to inquire alone, he'd be exhausted without finding any news. But by giving orders, he should learn quickly. Since Lu Chong pretended to be mute and dared not speak, it indicated that his enemies were definitely in the Royal City and held significant status! If anything happened, it would surely cause a sensation, and then he would naturally be able to find out.

"Reckless!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. He had originally planned to teach him a martial art technique after his Poison Body cultivation was complete, which would at least increase his chances of revenge. Who knew he'd leave as soon as he finished cultivating, without even saying goodbye? He seemed to have a steady temperament, yet he acted so recklessly.

In truth, Zhang Xuan also knew that the reason Lu Chong left without saying anything was because he didn't want to implicate him. If he knew, he would certainly intervene, and if Lu Chong encountered danger, he would very likely offer help. This would mean he too would fall into a quagmire. To prevent his benevolent teacher from being implicated because of him, he wrote a letter and left, making sure no one knew where he had gone. This fellow didn't seem old, yet he thought a lot.

"Let's go back to the classroom first!"With a sigh, Zhang Xuan walked towards the classroom. Although he thought the guy was somewhat reckless, he was more deeply moved.

"Teacher and student, teacher and student... What does it mean to be a teacher? What does it mean to be a student?"As he walked, he pondered, and an idea emerged. Since his reincarnation, he had taken on students for specific purposes, and imparted knowledge for various objectives. Although he was sincere and the knowledge he imparted was well-considered without any falsehood... in reality, he had never fully embodied the role of a teacher from beginning to end. It was like some young parents who, despite having children, caring for them meticulously, and making selfless sacrifices, deep down hadn't fully grasped the concept of being a father or a mother.

In his previous life, Zhang Xuan was merely a university librarian, not a true teacher. Even though he had taken on quite a few students in this life, firstly, not much time had passed, and secondly, he had too many other matters to attend to. At this moment, reflecting on Lu Chong's actions, his mindset was unknowingly stirred.

"Is imparting knowledge enough to be a 'teacher'? Is gaining knowledge enough to be a 'student'?""No, being a teacher shouldn't be so simple, nor should being a student be so easy!"Every moment he had spent with Zhao Ya, Mo Xueqing, Lu Chong, and others flowed through his mind. Zhang Xuan's state of mind became increasingly clear and vast.

"It's a tacit understanding, a responsibility, a reliance, a..."*Boom!*

He didn't know how long passed, but Zhang Xuan suddenly felt his vision brighten, as if some shackles had been broken, and everything became clear. Immediately afterward, a vast power, like an intricate pattern, descended from the sky and entered his mind, making his state of mind increasingly clear and profound.

"Tell everyone not to disturb me, I'm going into seclusion!"Feeling the change in his state of mind, Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back. He instructed Meng Tao, then his body swayed, and he entered the small classroom, sitting down.

***

Master Teacher Hall.

"Father, what I said is true. That Teacher Liu Cheng truly guided Master Alchemist Mu to refine a Tier 4 pill..." Jiang Chen looked at his father nearby. The scene he witnessed yesterday was simply too shocking; he still hadn't recovered. He had spent the entire morning consulting many books, only then realizing how difficult it was to guide a 2-star alchemist in refining a Tier 4 pill. It was definitely not something achievable merely by being proficient in pharmacology. This meant that Teacher Liu was definitely proficient in alchemy, perhaps even an incredibly formidable master.

"Hmm, I believe you!" Hall Master Jiang nodded. He had long known that his senior brother's alchemy skills were extraordinary, but such an action was still unexpected.

"Father, just tell me, is there any connection between this Teacher Liu and Martial Uncle Zhang?" Seeing his father's unsurprised expression, Jiang Chen voiced the doubts in his heart. He had been suspicious since yesterday. Master Zhang was skilled in alchemy, and Teacher Liu was also skilled! Master Zhang disappeared during his trial, and then Teacher Liu emerged... Two such formidable super geniuses having no contact whatsoever... it made him wonder.

Seeing his son's suspicion, Hall Master Jiang was about to speak when he suddenly froze, his expression changing.

"What?"Not only him, but Jiang Chen also froze.

"It's the Master Sealing Hall!"Hall Master Jiang's body swayed, and he shot straight out, with Jiang Shu following closely behind. As soon as they left the courtyard, they immediately noticed that all the Master Teachers in the entire Master Teacher Hall had been alerted and were rushing forward.

The Master Sealing Hall was where Master Teacher badges were granted and Master Teachers were conferred after their assessments. Normally, after successfully passing the Master Teacher assessment, one needed to apply for a badge here, pay respects to the statue of Master Kong, and gain the Master Teacher Hall's recognition, similar to how some families acknowledge their ancestors and worship them. As for the Q&A session, it was equivalent to announcing one's identity and gaining everyone's acknowledgment; it occurred after this ceremony, which was why Zhang Xuan had never been here.

*Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!*Numerous Master Teachers simultaneously arrived at the Master Sealing Hall and looked up. They saw countless ancestral tablets left by previous generations shaking continuously, as if an earthquake were occurring.

*Thud! Thud! Thud!*The tablets toppled one after another.

"Ten thousand tablets shaking, this is... a Heavens-Acknowledged Master Teacher?" Hall Master Jiang's lips trembled.

"Not only that, Hall Master, look..." A Master Teacher pointed forward. Hall Master Jiang and the others looked in the same direction upon hearing this. They saw the tall statue of Master Kong in the center of the room also trembling slightly, shaking continuously.

"This is... Master Kong accepting a disciple, a disciple of the Saint?"An exclamation rang out.