Chapter 23: Talk

It was 1 AM.

Zhang Yu, having just finished his security guard shift, was making his way back to his rented apartment in the suburbs, squeezing onto subways and buses. The reason why the subway and buses were still packed at 1 AM was simple: it was the late-night rush hour in Songyang City, with many commuters heading home or to work.

After arriving home, Zhang Yu first took a shower, then checked his account balance, wondering if he could finally afford an air conditioner. His savings of 8,300 yuan made him feel financially secure for the month. However, the thought that the next month was just two weeks away, and with it a 15,000 yuan loan repayment, made him frown.

He recalled what Bai Zhenzhen had said. He muttered to himself, "A contract from the school?" If signing a contract could provide him with a substantial sum each month, then he wouldn't have to worry about the loan. Yet, Zhang Yu knew that overthinking wouldn't help. Whether it was his performance before the Heavenly Human Martial Arts Scroll or the school's contract, everything ultimately depended on his own talent and strength.

With this in mind, he took out and consumed the neural stimulant he had bought earlier that day from the stationery store near the school gate. Then, he sat cross-legged on his bed and began to circulate the Grand Cycle Qi Gathering Method, feeling wisps of spiritual energy from heaven and earth surge into his body. Although he had switched his expertise in the Feather Scroll to the Heavenly Martial Arts Tempering Heart Manual for the Heavenly Human Martial Arts Scroll trial today, the Grand Cycle Qi Gathering Method would only resume its rapid improvement after he switched back in 24 hours. However, since he couldn't practice the Heavenly Martial Arts Tempering Heart Manual without a level 3 Dao Heart, and he needed to prepare for the magic competition by increasing his spiritual power, it didn't matter much. Even though the Grand Cycle Qi Gathering Method couldn't rapidly improve today, its current level 4 status was already effective in helping him increase his spiritual power. Thus, the rest of the night passed as Zhang Yu quietly practiced his breathing exercises.

The next morning.

As soon as Zhang Yu entered the classroom, he noticed something was different from usual. Normally, most students at Songyang High School were solely focused on their studies and cultivation, paying little attention to ordinary classmates. Even two students in the same class might go months without speaking to each other. For example, no one usually paid attention to Zhang Yu when he entered the classroom. Only someone like Zhao Tianxing would constantly wonder if his classmates were watching him as he walked in.

But today was different; Zhang Yu distinctly felt that after he entered the classroom, classmates were discreetly glancing at him from time to time. As soon as Zhang Yu sat down, Zhou Tianyi patted his shoulder and said, "It's spread around the class that you're going to be taken as a disciple by a Golden Core True Master."

"Apparently, the people who went to the art exhibition with Qian Shen mentioned it in the group chat."

It's well-known that schools are one of the fastest places for rumors to spread. As a key high school, Songyang High School had intense cultivation pressure, many isolated youths, and everyone owned a mobile phone, making the spread of gossip even faster. Not only text messages, but even photos of Zhang Yu wearing his security guard uniform from yesterday had already circulated in the group chat.

Zhang Yu chuckled upon hearing this. "So my story is spreading in class? That's Songyang speed for you. Let it continue to spread." In a daily routine filled with forced arduous cultivation, feeling the attention and discussion from others regarding his outstanding performance was a rare pleasure for Zhang Yu.

But then he pursed his lips, remembering a problem. Yesterday, Li Xuelian had secretly called him into a small meeting room to tell him about the rejection. This meant that many present didn't know he had actually been rejected by the Golden Core True Master; they still believed, as Li Xuelian had stated publicly, that he was going to be taken as a disciple.

"It would be quite foolish if I went up to the podium to clarify now." "Never mind. Let them spread whatever they want. They'll probably forget about it after a while."

Zhang Yu closed his eyes and continued to circulate the Grand Cycle Qi Gathering Method, absorbing spiritual energy. His classmates' discussions were merely temporary amusement. As previously planned, his main goal was still to fully enhance his spiritual power and prepare for the city-wide magic competition.

However, Zhang Yu had barely completed a few breathing cycles when his homeroom teacher, Su Haifeng, called him out. He remembered that the last time Su Haifeng had called him for a talk was on Zhang Yu's third day in this world. Back then, he still didn't have a deep understanding of Songyang High School or its teachers. He even initially mistook Su Haifeng for a kind teacher who cared about impoverished students.

Now, standing outside the classroom and following Su Haifeng, Zhang Yu could feel the terrifying aura of the homeroom teacher for the demonstration class and grade director. Wherever Su Haifeng walked, the classroom instantly fell silent, and numerous students trembled. Qian Shen dared not move, focusing intently on his breathing exercises. Zhao Tianxing, who had just stood up to go to the restroom, quickly sat back down and picked up a book to read. Even Bai Zhenzhen sat upright like an elementary school student, staring intently at her textbook. Everyone's nerves were taut at that moment, hoping Su Haifeng's gaze wouldn't land on them.

This was Su Haifeng, the first-year grade director of Songyang High School, regarded by countless Songyang students as a menace, and the author of the research paper "On the Prospects of Electroshock Application in High School Teaching." He was a man so intimidating that even a dog passing by him would feel compelled to read a few pages of a book.

Zhang Yu followed Su Haifeng through his "learning domain" all the way to the office. The 'demon king' smiled at him and asked, "I hear True Master Xinghuo is going to take you as a disciple?"

Zhang Yu had no intention of deceiving the school about becoming a Golden Core disciple. Such a lie would be easily exposed, putting him in a passive position. So he truthfully replied, "No, I felt True Master Xinghuo's terms were a bit lacking, so I declined."

Su Haifeng's mouth twitched upon hearing this. Zhang Yu's family was already poor; he hadn't given him any gifts in three months of school, and now that he finally had a moment in the spotlight, he was putting on airs. "Is this about signing the contract... trying to raise his worth?" As expected, these poor folks easily get overconfident. However, Su Haifeng felt that signing the contract later might not be so easy now.

"Hmm," he mused, then took out a document and said, "The school is aware of your performance at the art exhibition in the Central Building." "Even though your grades have recently declined, you've been criticized by the physical education teacher, you haven't been proactive in buying medicine, and collection agencies have even called me about you, the school still values talent and has decided to offer you some assistance."

Zhang Yu's eyes narrowed at this. As expected of Songyang High School's notorious menace, immediately resorting to classic manipulation, wasn't he? Zhang Yu thought of what Bai Zhenzhen had told him about the contract, guessing this was a prelude to negotiating its terms. And just as he expected, Su Haifeng placed the document in front of him and continued, "The school has prepared a student aid contract for you. The terms are much better than the previous poverty assistance program. Take a look and see if there are any issues."

Zhang Yu took it and quickly scanned it, discovering that upon signing, the school would give him 10,000 yuan each month, but this money had to be repaid, albeit with significantly lower interest than a loan. Furthermore, it stipulated that regardless of whether he was admitted to university or not, he must work for ten years at an enterprise under the school's affiliated education group. Songyang High School was part of the Myriad Stars Education Group, which in turn belonged to the Myriad Laws Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects. In other words, after signing this contract, Zhang Yu would be obligated to work for the Myriad Stars Education Group for ten years. Additionally, during the university application process, Songyang High School would have the right to decide which university and major the student would apply for.

"For 10,000 yuan a month, they want me to sign this kind of indentured servitude contract?" Even if Zhang Yu hadn't seen other students' contracts, he could tell this one was rather demeaning.

Zhang Yu put down the document and frowned, "Teacher, isn't this compensation too low? As a security guard at the Central Building, I make 800 yuan an hour."

"Can a temporary job last forever?" Su Haifeng first dismissed his point, then changed his tone, "I know the terms of this contract are indeed a bit low, but the school leadership has their reasons for doing things this way." "After all, regarding the assessment for the Heavenly Human Martial Arts Scroll at the art exhibition—what exactly was tested? What were the selection criteria? What were the specific qualities of all the candidates? The school doesn't have firsthand information, so we can't judge for ourselves. Furthermore, you didn't even master the martial art in the end." "On the contrary, your grades this month have clearly declined." "Ultimately, the school is a place that values academic performance. The 700-point evaluation system across six subjects is definitely more in line with the immortal path, more reasonable, and more valued by the school board than the Heavenly Human Martial Arts Scroll. The contract process also can't deviate from this..."

Zhang Yu's frown deepened, as Su Haifeng's words were not without reason. At Songyang High School, academic scores were ultimately paramount. After all, aside from him, no one at the school truly understood the specific difficulty and power of the Heavenly Martial Arts Tempering Heart Manual, let alone its requirement for a level 3 Dao Heart. Furthermore, Zhang Yu didn't have the right to disseminate the Heavenly Martial Arts Tempering Heart Manual, and there was no one to corroborate his claims about it.

Zhang Yu said, "There's no way I can accept this contract."

Su Haifeng smiled faintly, thinking, 'Is he going to ask for a higher price?' He calmly said, "Don't rush. I am your homeroom teacher, after all, and I can help you negotiate for more."

Zhang Yu asked, "Can the terms be as good as those you offered Bai Zhenzhen?"

Su Haifeng didn't answer directly but first chuckled, the unspoken meaning of his laugh evident. Then he said, "I'm not in charge of Bai Zhenzhen's contract, but I can give you an answer. Bai Zhenzhen scored 650 points and was ranked first in her grade. What was your score?"

Zhang Yu asked, "If I get first place in the grade, does that mean everything is negotiable?"

Looking at Zhang Yu's serious face, Su Haifeng smiled and took back the contract. "How much you can score depends on your own ability." "Contracts mainly depend on academic performance. While there can be slight variations in details, generally they are divided into four grades: A, B, C, and D." "The monthly exam is in two weeks. If you're not satisfied with a D-grade contract, we can wait until your next monthly exam results are out and then continue our discussion."