Chapter 76: Shang Chen Coughs Blood

"Previously, when I discussed numerous faculty assessment issues with Teacher Zhang, he not only answered clearly but also provided seven or eight solutions for each question. I couldn't even answer some of those; his depth of knowledge was truly impressive! At the time, I found it strange how he could score zero on such a simple faculty assessment. It turns out... the announced score was fake!"

Shen Biru also recalled something and couldn't help but interject, her beautiful eyes burning with anger.

The previous night, over dinner, she had specifically tested Zhang Xuan. He had answered every question fluently, which she found odd at the time. Hearing the current conversation, she finally had an "aha!" moment.

He must have answered correctly, but the Academic Affairs Office didn't give him any points!

In other words, there was nothing wrong with his filled-out paper. Yet... the teaching instructor who graded it deliberately marked it as zero!

Why?

Why would they do this?

"No wonder Teacher Zhang was reluctant to speak about it. We are all colleagues, and revealing this would surely affect relationships and, even more so, the academy's reputation! For this, he preferred to bear the stigma of being a 'worthless' individual alone!" The more Clan Head Wang Hong thought about it, the more he understood and had a realization.

Didn't you see how hesitant Teacher Zhang was just now about speaking?

If he hadn't been pushed to the limit, he probably wouldn't have revealed this publicly either. He would have silently endured, even if more people misunderstood him. Even when you suppressed him like this, he merely demonstrated his cultivation without elaborating. We had to deduce the specific details ourselves...

This is what it means to be a role model for teachers! This is true teaching ethics, as steadfast as a mountain and free from worldly strife!

"Once such an unfair matter becomes public, everyone will question the accuracy of the academy's faculty assessments, and the true teaching standards of other teachers will also be doubted... This would throw the academy into chaos! He chose not to speak, silently enduring and allowing himself to be misunderstood. What magnanimity, what generosity of spirit..."

An elder from the Wang clan grew increasingly agitated as he spoke.

To think such a great teacher exists in this world...

How ridiculous that we previously misunderstood him as being incompetent and useless!

As they spoke, everyone simultaneously turned their gaze towards Elder Shang Chen, who was not far away. Their eyes were filled with fury.

Look at him, and then look at yourself!

Both are teachers, yet the difference is so vast.

Teacher Zhang, out of consideration for camaraderie, endured humiliation and hardship without betraying his colleagues, while you...

"I..."

Shang Chen stood frozen, on the verge of losing his mind.

What the hell is going on? What faking? What consideration for feelings...?

Your last assessment was at the True Qi realm, and your faculty assessment paper was a mess; it was normal to get zero points. I personally reviewed and graded it; there's no way I made a mistake. How did this turn into me intentionally framing you?

Zhang Xuan, you damn bastard! If you've got the guts, explain yourself clearly...

Elder Shang Chen felt a mouthful of fresh blood rising, ready to gush out at any moment.

...

Witnessing such a lively scene, Zhang Xuan was also dumbfounded.

Actually, what I meant just now was that the Academic Affairs Office's assessment was inaccurate. How... did the narrative suddenly turn into this?

Your divergent thinking is truly impressive!

However, this way, ahem... I actually quite like it...

...

"If you're saying I framed him, there must be a reason! Why would I, the dignified Director of Academic Affairs and an academy elder, frame a junior teacher like him?"

As expected of the Academic Affairs Director, Elder Shang Chen quickly identified the core of the problem.

Every action must have a motive, a reason.

Given his noble status, framing a common teacher for no reason simply didn't make sense!

"Does this even need to be said? Your grandson, Shang Bin, wants to become a star teacher among the academy's younger generation. But Teacher Zhang, so young with such cultivation and ability, would undoubtedly stand out and surpass him. To prevent this from happening, you deliberately suppressed him!"

This time, it was Elder Mo speaking, growing angrier with each word, his beard bristling. "Though I don't have definitive proof for these matters, I witnessed everything today from beginning to end! The Heart-of-Learning interrogation, the huge wager, all sorts of coercion... Shang Chen, what cunning tactics you employ! To think we've had so many years of friendship—I, Mo Xiang, must have been blind!"

Elder Mo had always detested evil. Today, he had come specifically to purge corrupt teachers, acting on what he'd heard. Yet, he saw Elder Shang Chen constantly using various methods to suppress Teacher Zhang Xuan!

And Teacher Zhang had consistently proven himself right with facts.

Doesn't this prove the problem?

If even this can't prove it, then am I, Mo Xiang, not blind?

"I can also testify that Elder Shang Chen deliberately suppressed Teacher Zhang today; I saw it with my own eyes!"

"It was so obvious even with us present; who knows what tactics he used behind the scenes!"

"You can know a person's face but not their heart! A dignified Director of Academic Affairs doing this for his grandson—what a beast!"

...

As soon as Elder Mo spoke, many immediately echoed his sentiments. Each of them was filled with righteous indignation.

"..."

Elder Shang Chen felt dizzy and lightheaded, on the verge of madness.

I... I really didn't suppress him, alright? I only gave him trouble today because he publicly humiliated me...

Would you believe me if I said that before today, I only knew he wasn't very skilled and we weren't close?

However, seeing the angry expressions on everyone's faces, he knew it was pointless to dwell on this topic any further.

Turning to look at Zhang Xuan, the instigator of all this, he saw him still standing with his hands clasped behind his back, a look of profound compassion on his face, as if revealing the secret of this matter was something he felt reluctant to do.

Reluctant to do...?

This is all your nonsense, alright?!

You were incompetent, you scored zero on the faculty assessment. How did it suddenly turn into the Academic Affairs Office cheating and me deliberately suppressing you?

What does this have to do with me or the Academic Affairs Office?!

Pfft!

Unable to hold it in any longer, he directly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

"Hmph, how dare he even vomit blood after doing such a shameful thing! If it were me, I'd have already smashed my head against a wall and died!"

"He's utterly shameless! How could someone like this become the Director of Academic Affairs at Hongtian Academy?"

"And an elder? Someone with such questionable character should also have their teaching qualifications revoked..."

...

Seeing him vomit blood, not only did the crowd show no sympathy, but they also cried out in outrage.

"How could this happen?"

Shang Bin and Cao Xiong, standing to the side, were also completely bewildered.

Just moments ago, they felt they had the wisdom and a great chance of winning. How did it suddenly turn out like this?

What is going on?

After spitting out a mouthful of blood, Elder Shang Chen felt much better, his mind clearing. He looked around, then straightened his arms and glared at Zhang Xuan. His face openly displayed intense hatred. "You claim your zero score on the faculty assessment was due to my deliberate suppression, and I can't explain or elaborate on that right now. But what about the student who went berserk? That happened in *your* class, didn't it? How do you explain that?"

Zhang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.