Promise!

Chapter 262, Not to be Passed Down

Just as Zhuang Jin and Shangguan Yunchang were discussing the opening of Bailu Martial Academy the next day, some people heard the news and became anxious, gathering at a secluded courtyard of the Cen family.

"If the Shangguan family really wants to change the dean, this new dean will probably not be easy to fool!"

"Yes, Dean Cen, what should we do? How can we give up such a huge benefit?"

"Dean Cen, please make the decision. We'll all listen to you."

……

Cen Guangfu is at the third level of the Innate Qi Realm and is the vice dean of Bailu Martial Academy. However, these people usually omit the word "vice" when addressing him. For many years, he has always regarded himself as the dean. Although his realm is not as high as the dean's, his words are more effective than those of the head dean in Bailu Martial Academy!
"He's just a son-in-law, what's the rush?" he said calmly.

The elder sent by the Shangguan family to serve as the dean of the White Deer Martial Academy was only at the First Corpse Severing Realm, and because he was old and lacked energy, he was just a clay figurehead. This group of rats frantically reaped the benefits.

The source of these benefits wasn't the allocations from the state government or the Xuantian Bureau, as the finance department was overseen by three powerful families, making it difficult to manipulate the system. Rather, it was other areas.

For example, the shops and canteens on campus; the quota for entering Bailu Martial Arts Academy; the monthly small exams and the semi-annual big exams. If you don't pass these exams and want to stay, don't blame them for not being generous.

For example, in the selection of outstanding martial arts students, everyone is about the same level. Who to choose and who not to choose depends on sincerity, as well as other positions held by some students, etc.

As the only top-tier martial arts academy in Cangzhou, Bailu Martial Academy can generate huge profits if it makes even the slightest move. Zhuang Jin's arrival will inevitably block the path to wealth for these greedy rats.

When interests are at stake, such as murdering one's parents, the two sides are naturally on opposite sides.

—It's not that Cen Guangfu didn't think of winning over Zhuang Jin and sharing the spoils, it's just that it was impossible.

First, Zhuang Jin is Shangguan Yun Chang's husband and is responsible for the Shangguan family. The previous elder stepped down not only because of his age, but also because of the chaos at Bailu Martial Academy, which put considerable pressure on the Shangguan family. If the situation does not improve after Zhuang Jin becomes the dean, or even becomes more chaotic, it would be tantamount to ruining the reputation of the Shangguan family and Shangguan Yun Chang. Zhuang Jin is not stupid and would not do such a thing.
Secondly, even if Zhuang Jin agrees to win him over as the dean and bring him into the spoils-sharing group, who will be in charge and who will be subordinate? Cen Guangfu is unwilling to give up his position, let alone relinquish such a huge benefit; that would be tantamount to cutting a large piece of flesh from him.

"Although Zhuang Jin is at the Corpse Severing Realm and has the backing of the Shangguan family, he is ultimately just a son-in-law. How could the Shangguan family members in the academy be willing to be at his beck and call? On the other hand, we are senior and well-established in the Martial Academy, and I have the Cen family behind me. How could Zhuang Jin dare to go too far and break off relations?"

After Cen Guangfu's analysis, everyone felt reassured, and then he proposed his goal: "Let's take it slowly and see if we can sideline this person and continue our previous life."

"If Zhuang Jin is too difficult to deal with, then we should tone it down a bit. However, that should only be done as a last resort."

After considering it for a moment, he said, "Well, I happen to know that someone is planning to fawn over Zhuang Jin at tomorrow's opening ceremony. Let's do this and that, and make them trap themselves."

Clearly, this group intended to give Zhuang Jin a hard time and undermine his prestige. First impressions are very important, and if they succeeded, Zhuang Jin would likely face difficulties and achieve less with more effort in the future at Bailu Martial Academy. Their plan to sideline him would then be only half successful.

……

The following day, the third day of the Lunar New Year, was the opening day of Bailu Martial Arts Academy. As is customary, an opening ceremony was held.

Teachers and students gathered together. The martial arts students were all martial artists from different grades. Instructors of Qi Condensation, Meridian Opening, and Fetal Breathing, as well as the heads of various departments of the Innate Qi Realm, and the vice dean of the Innate Qi Realm Level 3, were all present.

The well-informed martial arts students already knew that the martial arts academy was about to welcome a new dean and attract much attention. However, as the appointed time approached, the mysterious new dean still had not arrived, and whispers began to circulate among the students below.

"I heard they're getting a new dean today, why hasn't he arrived yet?"

"This new dean has quite the airs."

"Shh, be quiet. How dare we discuss such beings behind their backs?"

"A new dean brings a fresh start. Hopefully, this new dean can clean up the mess at our martial arts academy."

"Hey, look, here it comes!"

……

"Wow!"

With a long cry, the fire phoenix flew over, and the figure on its back was none other than Zhuang Jin.
—More than a month ago, Zhuang Jin captured the Fire Phoenix. With his overwhelming strength and the help of his spiritual power to influence and assimilate it, he gradually became close to it and can now control it. This can be considered as part of the preparations made for today.

When it was still a dozen feet away from the high platform, the Fire Phoenix cried out and used its ultimate skill - Meteor Shower.

Swish swish!
Strands of burning light, like sword energy and starry rivers, pierced the sky and stretched all the way to the high platform.

Zhuang Jin's figure flashed away, each step landing on a flying feather of light. At the same time, a point of icy energy condensed beneath his feet, annihilating with the feather of light and transforming into a fleeting chaotic light.

Such an entrance did indeed bring a little shock to the teachers and students of Bailu Martial Arts Academy, and the entire venue fell silent for a moment.

The martial arts students below the stage looked up, their eyes reflecting the figure who walked calmly with his hands behind his back, his every step accompanied by a fading light. The four words that came to mind were: "Grandmaster demeanor".

This planted a seed in their hearts: a true man... no, a warrior should be like this.

The instructors at the Innate True Qi Realm and the heads of various departments at the Innate Gang Qi Realm on the stage all changed color slightly upon sensing the aura of the Fire Phoenix. They felt that they probably, perhaps, might not be able to defeat the new dean's mount.

Only the vice-dean, who was at the third level of the Innate Qi Realm, fared slightly better. For example, Cen Guangfu's expression was somewhat unpleasant; he cursed inwardly, "What a show-off! I hope I haven't misjudged him and that he can maintain this posture later."

Zhuang Jin stepped on the light feathers and arrived at the high platform. He turned around with a flick of his dean's robe, and his aura instantly suppressed the fire phoenix, enveloping the entire area.

At this moment, all the teachers and students stood at attention and bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Dean!"

"Ok!"

Zhuang Jin sat down in the main seat of Dean Gao Tai, nodded slightly, indicating that the opening ceremony could begin today.

The students sang the Bailu Martial Arts Academy anthem, raised the academy flag, and then gave a speech by a representative of outstanding martial arts students.

"Next, please welcome Ji Tongwei from Class 2 of the Advanced Program to give a speech under the college flag as a student representative—'My Dean'."

In an instant, the entire venue fell silent once again.

One of the instructors clapped first, and after a series of applause, a loud clapping followed.

The vice dean, department heads, and many instructors on the stage all looked at Zhuang Jin with strange expressions, and then glanced at a certain instructor, secretly cursing Shangguan Yunhong for being shameless. He would do anything to curry favor with his brother-in-law, Zhuang Jin.

—Shangguan Yunhong was the one who first met Shangguan Yunchang when Zhuang Jin first came to the city and met her at the Tongfu Tea House on the fifth floor of the Zhenxiufang restaurant. He was the boy who was obsessed with Yu Linglong. Now he has grown up a lot and even broke through the Innate True Qi Realm. He teaches at Bailu Martial Academy and is also an instructor in Ji Tongwei's class.

The students in the audience, though applauding, felt a strange unease. They were all there because of their backgrounds, and their education wasn't the kind of mindless, docile ideology of "truth, goodness, and beauty." They naturally understood the unspoken rules, but wasn't this... a little too direct?
Ji Tongwei went on stage, glanced at Zhuang Jin, and under the latter's encouraging nod, took a deep breath and began his speech.

'Not bad, delivered the speech without notes, articulate... and the writing is fairly accurate.'

Zhuang Jin listened without changing his expression. When he heard some words of praise, admiration and adoration, he nodded slightly. Just as there is no need to avoid relatives when recommending the virtuous, there is no need to avoid praise either. He was indeed like that!
Next, it was his turn to give a speech. He patted Ji Tongwei on the shoulder, told him to step down, and was about to speak.

Several people in the audience raised their hands, especially one person in the first row who was so close that it was impossible to ignore him.

"Um?!"

Zhuang Jin glanced around, her expression calm and unreadable, and called out to this person: "This martial arts student, do you have anything to say?"

"I……"

The martial arts student glanced discreetly to the side, gritted his teeth, and mustered his courage to say, "The student Ji Tongwei from the advanced class 2 just now gave a speech entitled 'My Dean.' I would like to ask, is Dean Zhuang really Ji Tongwei's teacher? Or more precisely, his brother-in-law?"

If that's the case, was Ji Tongwei's selection as an outstanding martial arts student and his speech as a representative of outstanding martial arts students due to your influence as the dean? Does this violate fairness? As the dean, do you think this was appropriate?
I've also heard that you come from the prefectural city, which is different from the backgrounds of the martial arts students at our White Deer Martial Academy. Under these circumstances, Dean Zhuang, are you capable of leading us...?

"shut up!"

Shangguan Yunhong couldn't stand it any longer and, disregarding the impact, spoke up to stop him. On such an occasion, for this person to say such things was like bringing up a sore spot and ruining the event.

Especially since he was the one who started this whole thing, how would the teachers and students of the Martial Academy think of him? How would his brother-in-law Zhuang Jin think of him? Most importantly, how would his sister Shangguan Yunchang think of him when she found out?

If this backfires and really affects my brother-in-law, I can already imagine the horrible scene that will unfold under my sister's forceful guidance.

At this moment, Cen Guangfu stood up and stopped Shangguan Yunhong: "Instructor Shangguan, calm down. Why bother arguing with a student?"

As he spoke, he looked down at the audience: "I am the vice president of Bailu Martial Arts Academy. We will study and discuss whether there are any problems with the question raised by this martial arts student. We will follow the arrangements made by our superiors."

This seems to be speaking up for Zhuang Jin, but it's almost an admission that there's a problem with the matter, and it also stirs up the martial arts performer's emotions, while shifting the blame upwards and pinning a label on Zhuang Jin.

Upon closer examination, it seems that she is subtly siding with the martial arts performer, trying to gain sympathy and favor.

This move earned the secret cheers and celebrations of many of his accomplices, who seemed to have already foreseen victory.

"Ah!"

Zhuang Jin stepped forward, his spiritual power merging into the heavens and earth like tentacles, forming a vast 'momentum' that swept across the entire scene, instantly calming the initially agitated atmosphere.

"Today I take office as the new dean of Bailu Martial Arts Academy. As a new dean, I should set a new example. I am a very pragmatic person. Right is right, and wrong is wrong."

As Zhuang Jin spoke, she looked at Cen Guangfu and said, "Regarding Ji Tongwei, this outstanding martial arts student, is there any problem? As a representative of outstanding martial arts students, is there any problem with him giving a speech on stage? Is there anything inappropriate in the article he wrote? Vice Dean Cen, as the vice dean for many years, is standing here today without knowing the situation and still has to hold a meeting to study and discuss it, and follow the arrangements from above. What are you doing as the vice dean?"

He asked a question in return, and without waiting for an answer, he said directly, "My White Deer Martial Academy does not need a vice dean who lacks responsibility. You can leave now."

"Dean Zhuang, what do you mean by that...?"

"Can't you understand human language? It's just the surface meaning: from this day forward, you are no longer the vice president of Bailu Martial Academy."

After Zhuang Jin finished speaking, without waiting for Cen Guangfu to refute, he pointed his finger and a beam of icy light shot out, sealing Cen Guangfu. Then, with a flick of his sleeve, Cen Guangfu was sent flying.

"Wow!"

The fire phoenix took off, grabbed Cen Guangfu, and threw him out.

This sudden change, or rather Zhuang Jin's handling of the situation, stunned the other vice deans, department heads, and instructors present, who almost lost their composure.

At that moment, they all had the same thought: This is fucking amazing!
Zhuang Jin was originally the focus of the controversy, but he shifted the focus with a single sentence, indicating that he was the new dean and that the matter had nothing to do with him. He also said that if there was a problem, it was a problem that had occurred before.

Cen Guangfu's attempts to please both sides were directly labeled as incompetence and dereliction of duty.

This logic makes sense, but Cen Guangfu, being an old fox, would never be unable to refute it. However, Zhuang Jin simply relied on his superior martial prowess to silence the latter and throw him out.

Speaking of which, isn't it a bit too hasty for Cen Guangfu, a vice president with the Cen family background, to just open and close cases without any evidence?
—This is indeed against procedure, but we should shoot the arrow first, then draw the target, knock out the leader, and leave the pack leaderless. Combined with Zhuang Jin's previous preparations, the evidence will be available soon.

When Cen Guangfu tried to probe and set a trap, Zhuang Jin launched a fierce counterattack, making an example of him to warn others. Everyone else then realized Zhuang Jin's ruthlessness and felt a sense of awe.

"I, Zhuang, never shirk responsibility when there are problems. Although I am the new dean, I will not ignore old issues. The college will give a response regarding Ji Tongwei's matter within ten days."

As Zhuang Jin spoke, she held up her finger: "I want to emphasize three points here today: First, fairness! Second, fairness! Third, fairness again."

Wow!
A round of enthusiastic applause broke out. Regardless of whether Zhuang Jin could actually do it, his attitude alone made him seem like someone who was capable of accomplishing something. At the very least, the Martial Academy wouldn't be any worse than before, right?
"Please continue, student," Zhuang Jin said with a smile.

"I……"

The martial arts student who had raised his hand and asked a question in the first row saw that Cen Guangfu, a vice dean, had been thrown out. He realized that if he continued to speak recklessly, he probably wouldn't be able to stay in the martial arts academy. He swayed and fell to the side with a thud.

"These students who raised their hands? If you have any questions, feel free to ask." Zhuang Jin waved his hand, ordering someone to carry the martial arts student away. Then, he casually pointed to another student who had raised their hand earlier.

The martial arts student turned pale and, not wanting to feign fainting, composed himself and changed his question, "I wanted to ask, Dean Zhuang, what are your secrets to achieving your current success since coming all the way from the prefectural city, so that we can learn from them?"

The other martial arts performers who raised their hands all said that they wanted to ask the same question.

"I've come all the way from the prefectural city to here. If I said it was all luck, you probably wouldn't believe me and would call me hypocritical. Fine, today I'll tell you my secret."

Zhuang Jin's words immediately drew everyone's attention, including the vice deans, department heads, and instructors. They were all intrigued, surprised that Zhuang Jin actually had such a thing to say.

"On the path of martial arts, there are countless bottlenecks and difficulties to overcome, and countless opponents and enemies to defeat. I won't go into detail about these tangible and intangible obstacles in life, but I will only say one thing—perseverance."

Zhuang Jin paused for a moment, then solemnly said, "Don't be intimidated by the enemy's aggressive momentum, don't be discouraged by the difficulties that are still bearable, and don't be disheartened by temporary setbacks. The road is tortuous, but the future is bright. The darkness is about to pass, and the dawn is just around the corner. The initiative and favorable recovery lie in the effort to persevere a little longer."

This indomitable optimism transcends time and space, bringing a powerful impact like the sound of morning bells and evening drums. The entire audience remained silent for several breaths before rising to their feet and erupting in thunderous applause.

……

(End of this chapter)