Chapter 87: Dignity

"What's wrong with your student again? As long as they are a student of this school, they are subject to its rules!" Seeing Bai Susu trembling with rage, Rude's eyelids twitched. He wished he could shove her into the ground. "Zu'an's gambling has had a terrible influence, and he openly defied a teacher at school. Either of these acts is enough to warrant expulsion."

Zu'an was not worried. He still had a trump card, but since Bai Susu had stepped forward to help him, he was content to simply watch.

Bai Susu shook her head. "Brother Lu, you're mistaken. Zu'an's gambling took place outside the school, and school rules only apply to actions within school grounds, don't they? As for defying a teacher, I also heard about what just happened. Yang Wei was the one who initiated the bet, and Zu'an merely reacted to it. If we punish him for this, wouldn't outsiders suspect that our academy is deliberately biased to protect our teacher because he lost? By then, this wouldn't just be talked about in Mingyue City; it could spread across the world, and all our teachers would become a laughingstock for being sore losers."

Hearing her affectionate address of "Brother Lu," Rude felt a chill. He had to admit there was some truth to her words, but the thought that his old rival, Bai Susu, was supporting this made it impossible for him to agree, no matter how logical it seemed. Just as he intended to punish Zu'an, he suspected Bai Susu had no real connection with Zu'an; she was probably just trying to annoy him and deliberately make things difficult.

With that thought, Rude naturally refused to back down. "Hmph, I am the dean of students. I decide how to punish students. There's no need for Teacher Bai to interfere."

Bai Susu trembled with anger, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Rude as she scolded him, "Rude, do you have any sense of reason? This is an abuse of power, and I'm going to report you!"

Rude immediately chuckled. "Even if you report me to the capital, this matter still falls under my jurisdiction. What, are you unconvinced? Shall we have a spar, then?"

"Hmph, a spar it is! Who's afraid of you?" Bai Susu scoffed, pulling out a peach blossom from her sleeve. A powerful aura emanated from her, causing the surrounding students to stagger back.

Seeing the discomfited expressions of the others, Zu'an thought, "That's strange, why do I feel nothing?" He couldn't help but glance at Shang Liuyu, who stood calmly in front of him, and he became thoughtful.

Upon seeing her produce the peach blossom, Rude's expression changed. A disciplinary ruler also hovered above his head, seemingly ready to strike at any moment.

Unlike the panicked students from the Xuan and Huang classes who quietly dispersed, the students from the Tian and Di classes stared wide-eyed, watching the two in the arena with excitement.

These two were probably the most powerful individuals in the school, apart from the principal. They were Grade Six powerhouses, a level some people never even encounter in their lifetime, let alone witness a battle between them.

Individuals like Yuan Wendong, who possessed Grade Five cultivation, watched intently, hoping to gain some insight from the duel that might benefit their future breakthroughs. It was known that while Grade Five and Grade Six appeared to be only one realm apart, the gap between them was as vast as heaven and earth. Many people would remain at Grade Five their entire lives, unable to take that final step.

Only Pei Mianman yawned indifferently, instinctively glancing towards Zu'an. She saw him gazing at Shang Liuyu's perfect profile, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "What a lecherous fellow."

The tension in the air grew palpable. A hint of solemnity appeared on Bai Susu's captivating face, while Rude's expression was one of deep resentment. Both were highly strung, constantly searching for weaknesses in the other.

"You two have been staring at each other for so long, are you going to fight or not?" Everyone was holding their breath in extreme tension when a lazy voice suddenly broke the silence. They turned to see Zu'an impatiently stretching.

Rage from Bai Susu +666!Rage from Rude +666!

Everyone else looked on in shock. To dare offend both the dean and Bai Susu simultaneously—what a bold move.

Zu'an sighed inwardly. *What can I do? Is it easy for me to earn rage points? I'm literally risking my life!*

Bai Susu and Rude exchanged glances, as if reading each other's minds: *Let's not fight each other. How about we deal with this troublesome fellow first?*

Just as they reached this unspoken agreement and were about to stop, a cold, authoritative voice rang out: "What are you all doing?"

Bai Susu and Rude's expressions changed. They hastily put away their weapons and respectfully bowed to the newcomer. "Greetings, Principal."

"Greetings, Principal!""Greetings, Principal!"...

Other teachers and students bowed in greeting. Zu'an couldn't help but look surprised, never imagining this beautiful principal commanded such high prestige.

A beautiful figure slowly approached. Her skin was as white as snow, her features picturesque. Her elegant hair was coiled atop her head, revealing a long, slender, pale neck, exuding an air of nobility. Anyone who saw her would genuinely exclaim what a great beauty she was. Yet, her gaze was like lightning; despite her radiance, she possessed a stern, inviolable majesty.

Beneath the hem of her skirt, her shapely, firm thighs were subtly visible. Coupled with tightly wrapped flesh-colored stockings, her perfect long legs were truly displayed to their fullest.

Zu'an maliciously wondered if everyone bowing was secretly taking the opportunity to look at her legs.

He glanced at Wei Suo nearby and indeed saw him staring intently at Jiang Luofu's beautiful legs, his eyes filled with fervent excitement, constantly swallowing.

*What a pervert!*

Zu'an secretly disdained him but couldn't help but glance at Shang Liuyu. He had seen her in the pavilion last time, and her long legs were every bit as graceful as Principal Jiang's. Today, however, she wore a long dress, only vaguely revealing her ankles. *What a shame I can't feast my eyes again,* he thought.

"What are you looking at?" Shang Liuyu's curious voice reached him.

Zu'an smiled slightly. "Actually, you could wear slightly shorter skirts. It's such a pity to cover up such beautiful legs."

Shang Liuyu was startled at first, then a faint blush appeared on her face. "If I hadn't seen you in the pavilion before, you wouldn't get away with saying such things to me. Remember, from now on, students should act like students and not casually flirt with teachers."

"Can't casually flirt, but can I flirt seriously?" Zu'an asked with a smile.

A strange expression appeared on Shang Liuyu's picturesque face. "With your death-seeking personality, it's no wonder so many people want to deal with you after only a few days at school."

Zu'an shrugged. "They're just jealous of my handsome, charming, and lovable self. See, no woman in this school has tried to deal with me from start to finish, have they?"

Shang Liuyu was momentarily stunned. It seemed he was right; all those who tried to oppose him were men. The women, on the other hand, had all helped him out of trouble. Even someone as gender-ambiguous as Bai Susu seemed to be protecting him.

The sight of them whispering together did not escape Jiang Luofu's eyes, who was not far away. She couldn't help but let out a silent snort. *This brat lied to me, saying he didn't know Shang Liuyu. Look how animated their conversation is right now.*

She knew Shang Liuyu's personality best. While she was pleasant and seemingly approachable, she always maintained a certain distance from everyone. Deep down, she possessed a natural aloofness and detachment. Jiang Luofu had never seen her chat so happily with anyone before.

Recalling her gaze, Jiang Luofu cleared her throat and glared at Rude and Bai Susu. "What are you two doing? Teachers fighting in school? And with so many students watching?"

Bai Susu covered her mouth and chuckled softly. "Principal, you've misunderstood. This whole incident was provoked by Rude deliberately targeting a student. If you don't believe me, ask the people around us."

Seeing Bai Susu directly pin the blame on him, Rude was so enraged he almost fumed. However, the most urgent task was to explain the situation. "Principal, the main issue is that Zu'an has shown disrespect for his teachers and engaged in gambling, creating a very negative influence. That's why I intended to expel him, but then this Bai person insisted on opposing me."

Seeing them try to shift blame to each other, a hint of helplessness appeared on Jiang Luofu's face. "Enough, enough. You two don't need to accuse each other. I already know the full story. Since Teacher Yang Wei was the one who initiated the bet, he should naturally accept his loss now. We shouldn't let outsiders mock our Mingyue Academy for being sore losers."

Yang Wei had fled after the previous massive blow, but after calming down, he realized that the teaching position granted by the imperial court offered significant privileges, both in terms of reputation and material benefits, far exceeding those of ordinary people. It wouldn't be worth losing this lucrative position just for a moment of humiliation. So, he braced himself and returned, thinking that even if he couldn't hold his head high at school in the future, he had to keep his teaching job; enduring some humiliation was a small price to pay.

However, he had barely returned when he heard Principal Jiang's words, which effectively sealed his fate.

Considering the great resolve it had taken him to return, he was naturally unwilling to accept this. He quickly jumped forward and exclaimed, "I am, after all, a legitimate teacher officially appointed by the imperial court and registered with the Ministry of Rites! Even as principal, you don't have the authority to dismiss me!"

A chorus of jeers immediately erupted around him; clearly, no one expected him to have the audacity to return.

Jiang Luofu said coldly, "As a mathematics teacher, you're not even as competent as a student in your own field. We have no need for such a teacher. I will personally write to the Ministry of Rites to inform them, and the official document revoking your teaching position will be delivered to you very soon."

With her intelligence, how could she not see that Yang Wei was deliberately targeting Zu'an today? She couldn't be bothered to guess who was behind his actions; she simply decided to dismiss him outright and put an end to the matter.

If Zu'an had been an ordinary student, she might have weighed her options, but this fellow was far too special. His identity as the Chu family's son-in-law was negligible and not something she paid attention to. The crucial point was that he possessed the legendary super-grade aptitude, and various mysterious things surrounded him, piquing even her curiosity.

How could she allow such a promising individual with limitless future potential to "die prematurely" in her school? Compared to his potential, a mere Grade Three official and a mathematics teacher were insignificant.

Hearing these words, Yang Wei felt as if he had been struck by lightning. How could he possibly remain there with any dignity? He fled in a panic, not wanting to stay in that place for another second, especially not near Zu'an, whose sinister smirk made him want to rip his mouth apart.

Rage from Yang Wei +999!

Seeing the message in the backend, Zu'an was speechless. Yang Wei had clearly been humiliated by the principal, yet he harbored resentment towards Zu'an. *This guy is truly a spineless bully who only picks on the weak.*

At this moment, Yang Wei's eyes were filled with madness. *That wretch made me come here today. I thought it would be an easy task, but who knew I'd suffer such immense humiliation in my life? I must settle this score with that wretch. If she doesn't give me an explanation, I'm not done with her!*

Seeing Yang Wei's frantic retreat, Rude frowned, then looked at Jiang Luofu and said, "Principal, Yang Wei's fate is indeed his own doing. But shouldn't Zu'an also be punished for openly defying a teacher and gambling with one at school?"