Volume One, Chapter 3: Crisis

Following the direction of Han Kun’s finger, everyone turned to look.

A petite female teacher was sitting there, looking somewhat stunned.

She seemed completely unprepared for what was happening. With a bewildered expression, she slowly stood up.

“You. Answer my question.” Han Kun lifted his chin and began questioning her with open contempt.

“Three new species of alien beasts have appeared this year in Yuncheng’s wormhole. Compared with those in previous years, what is unusual about them?”

“This...” The woman looked helplessly around, but no one could offer her the slightest assistance. All she could do was stammer out a reply, resembling a poor student whose name had just been called in class. “I—I... don’t know...”

She was neither a teacher from Yuncheng Academy nor had she ever studied alien-beast-related subjects there. How could she possibly have known this sort of local information that only the academy’s own people might be familiar with?

“So this is all the ability the teachers at Yuncheng Martial Arts Academy possess?” Han Kun turned toward Lu Caiyuan, his voice brimming with ridicule. “They all graduated from martial arts universities back in the day. How can they know nothing about alien beasts?”

Lu Caiyuan clenched his teeth despite himself.

Han Kun had clearly come with hostile intentions today. He had deliberately chosen to question high school teachers—people who would have had no opportunity to come into contact with alien beasts—about their knowledge of the subject. By intentionally blurring the distinction between high school and university teachers, he was plainly picking a fight. It was infuriating.

But what could Lu Caiyuan do about it?

He could only endure.

“If the teachers at your school possess nothing more than this level of ability, I’ll have no choice but to report it,” Han Kun said with the smug expression of a petty man who had finally gained the upper hand. “Anyone who knows nothing about alien beasts will be disciplined!”

“And furthermore...” His tone suddenly shifted. “I have serious doubts about whether you are fit to serve as principal.”

“Every teacher you personally recruited will have to undergo another rigorous investigation!”

By this point, Liu He could no longer remain seated.

Everyone knew that after graduating from a martial arts university, unless a warrior was absorbed into a combat organization such as the Security Bureau or the Martial Hall, they would almost never have another chance to enter an extradimensional wormhole. How, then, could they be expected to possess any profound understanding of alien beasts?

Yet Han Kun’s meaning was clear: he intended to dismiss all those teachers who, after graduating from martial arts universities, had barely entered wormhole space and consequently knew little about alien beasts.

Those recruited personally by Lu Caiyuan would be singled out and fired one by one.

Naturally, that included Liu He himself.

As for the so-called rigorous investigation, it would simply mean doing whatever Han Kun said.

Was there any point in hoping he would handle things impartially?

This petty man was already provoking them so brazenly today. Once he returned and began scheming behind the scenes, who knew what sort of trouble he would cause?

Seeing the comfortable job he had held for twenty years about to vanish, how could Liu He possibly sit by and do nothing?

Even if he did not intend to vent his anger on behalf of Principal Lu Caiyuan, who had recognized his talent and given him his opportunity, he still had to confront Han Kun directly and protect his own livelihood.

Han Kun saw that all the teachers and students in the library had lowered their heads and fallen silent beneath his taunts. Lu Caiyuan, too, looked entirely helpless before him. Han Kun could not help feeling triumphant, and his arrogance grew even more pronounced.

He was just about to press his advantage and continue humiliating Yuncheng Academy when a jarring voice rang out from the crowd.

“Director Han, throwing your weight around at Yuncheng Academy like this—what an impressive display of official authority.”

Someone actually dared to oppose him?

Han Kun, who had long been accustomed to bullying others, immediately glared furiously toward the source of the voice, only to meet a pair of smiling eyes.

He saw clearly that the smile on that face was entirely different from the ingratiating smiles of the people around him.

For some reason, he felt that there was something strangely familiar about it.

That was it.

He had smiled at Lu Caiyuan like that earlier.

A smile filled with contempt.

The realization only fueled Han Kun’s anger. He said coldly, “What, who are you? I’m speaking to your principal. Do you really think you have the right to interrupt?”

“Director Han, I merely disagree with what you said earlier—that the teachers in Yuncheng Academy’s high school division know nothing about alien beasts.” The corners of Liu He’s lips curved upward.

“Liu He, this has nothing to do with you. Don’t interfere.” Lu Caiyuan frowned and scolded him.

He then turned back to Han Kun. “He is merely an ordinary first-year high school teacher at our academy. Please excuse him, Director Han.”

Lu Caiyuan naturally knew Liu He well.

He was simply an ordinary teacher who had taught first-year students for many years.

Although his words appeared to be a reprimand, Lu Caiyuan’s true intention was to keep Liu He from being dragged into the conflict between himself and Han Kun.

Lu Caiyuan was not without powerful connections. They simply were not as formidable as Han Kun’s. Protecting himself would not be a problem.

But Liu He was only an ordinary person.

With even a small amount of influence, Han Kun could crush him with ease.

“An ordinary teacher?” Han Kun waved a hand, a trace of mockery in his voice. “Principal Lu, the teachers at your academy do have some spirit, after all. Let him answer my question.”

Han Kun secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

When Liu He had first stepped forward, Han Kun had wondered whether the man might have some powerful backing.

Only after hearing Lu Caiyuan’s explanation did he glance at Liu He’s badge and confirm that he was merely an ordinary teacher.

If someone like that truly had powerful connections, would he willingly be teaching at an ordinary school?

Perfect. He could use this man to make an example of the others.

At the thought, Han Kun sneered.

“If you can answer correctly, I’ll admit that Yuncheng Academy’s research into alien beasts is indeed up to standard, and I’ll cancel all the punishments I mentioned earlier.” He raised his chin again, trying to make himself appear as imposing as possible. “Furthermore, I’m willing to reward you personally with a bottle of Tier Three alien-beast serum.”

As he spoke, he took a small bottle from inside his clothes.

Everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to it.

“That’s Tier Three alien-beast serum. Once consumed, even an ordinary person can awaken an alien-beast bloodline. Before reaching the third tier in martial cultivation, there are practically no barriers at all—a completely unobstructed path.”

“I remember that stuff costs more than gold by weight.”

“Han Kun is really willing to part with it.”

“Why would he give away something that valuable so easily? He obviously knows Liu He won’t be able to swallow the bait, which is why he dares to make such a grand promise.”

“Even if Liu He answers correctly, I’m afraid Han Kun will have another obstacle waiting for him afterward.”

“Ah, why did Teacher Liu have to be so rash? He actually chose to challenge Han Kun...”

Listening to the whispers around him, Han Kun savored the moment.

“But!” His tone shifted again. He pointed directly at Liu He. “If you fail, I won’t merely conduct a thorough investigation of Yuncheng Academy. I’ll also scrutinize your teaching record in particular and reclaim every performance bonus you have received in the past!”

“Our education system has no need for pests like you!” he declared righteously, sweeping his hand through the air.

“Go on.” Han Kun sneered. “Are you still going to continue?”