The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS
Chapter 143 - 137: The Protagonist Appears at the End

Chapter 143: Chapter 137: The Protagonist Appears at the End

On the fifteenth day of the first month, the Lantern Festival, a special holiday. However, on this day that should have been celebrated universally, the Mountain River Academy was immersed in a bizarre silence.

Inside the Wuya Inn, where the Academy’s principal resided.

Ouyang Yan, dragging his weary body, met Principal Zhuge Longsu. Although the people of Daqian had left, the repercussions from the Literary Arena’s power struggle were still lingering. At the least, the fate of the Emperor Martial Arts and the deaths of many participants, along with the three culprits who had caused the deaths of Lin Chenfeng and another student, all demanded Ouyang Yan’s attention.

"Teacher," Ouyang Yan greeted the meditating Zhuge Longsu with closed eyes and folded legs.

"You’ve arrived..." Zhuge Longsu opened his eyes and gazed at his disciple’s exhausted countenance, "These days, while I have been in seclusion to stabilize my Realm, you have had a hard time!"

"Working for the Academy is my duty, but Teacher..." Ouyang Yan hesitated to speak further.

Yet Zhuge Longsu discerned his thoughts, "Are you wondering why I haven’t personally reassured the students?"

Ouyang Yan said, "If Teacher had intervened, perhaps the students would have understood your predicament. Had there been a battle that day, it would have been fortunate if even ten or twenty percent of the Academy’s lecturers and students had survived. The consequences of this event shouldn’t be borne by you alone."

Although Meng Shanhe’s command had initiated the arrangements, Meng Shanhe declined from appearing personally, and even the commands were relayed by Zhuge Longsu. Also, as the Purple Gold Beam of the Academy and the Heaven Pillar of Northern Zhou, the students wouldn’t dare to blame Meng Shanhe.

Thus, the only target left was Zhuge Longsu; his reputation had been mixed for years, so it was normal to make him the object of dissatisfaction.

"Whether it’s out of predicament or not, a mistake is a mistake," Zhuge Longsu waved his hand, dismissing Ouyang Yan’s comment. "The people of Daqian resorted to underhanded tactics this time. Out of twenty-five people, twenty-two were imposters posing as Philosophy students, and they even let their spy, Lu Qingzhu, attack me, isolating the Small Secret Realm from the outside world.

Various conspiracies have caused the deaths and injuries among the Academy’s students. How could I not feel pain and resentment? But ultimately, we are at a disadvantage and truly have no standing to confront Daqian. If not for the teachers holding their ground, Daqian wouldn’t even need a competition in the Literary Arena; they would have taken what they wanted by force.

To have preserved Emperor Martial Arts is already a great fortune. Causing Daqian to withdraw is a victory for the Academy. Personal reputation should not be so meticulously accounted for."

"Teacher, as the principal of the Academy, you represent all of us. How can you consider your reputation to be of minor importance?" Ouyang Yan hastily objected upon hearing this.

"Has Zhuge Longsu not always been this way? Agreed to a competition for positions with Philosophy, and as the principal, personally manipulated behind the scenes, what now, after adding this incident?" Zhuge Longsu smiled.

"Now, the competition in the Literary Arena has been cancelled, influenced by the actions of Daqian—this was the last time. This matter will not have too profound an impact. What remains is only the matter of letting those incompetent official spawns enter, disrupting the students’ dedication to their studies."

"Teacher, you intend to..." Upon hearing this, Ouyang Yan was shocked.

He was not a fool, nor could a fool manage the Academy’s affairs alongside Zhuge Longsu on a daily basis. Zhuge Longsu intended to eliminate many of his previous unpopular decisions, planning to step down from the position of principal.

Zhuge Longsu ignored Ouyang Yan’s shock and continued, "Eliminating the entrance exemptions granted to court officials will certainly cause dissatisfaction. By then, I might just be able to pass on the position of principal smoothly, leaving a complete Mountain River Academy for the next principal. The same River Mountain Academy that my teacher entrusted to me."

"Teacher..." Ouyang Yan no longer tried to dissuade him, knowing from many years as his disciple that this was his teacher’s final decision, unshakeable by anyone.

"Do not be so formal," Zhuge Longsu said with a smile, "This is a tumultuous time; I am not stepping down yet. You, the next generation, are not yet capable of standing on your own."

"I was disrespectful," Ouyang Yan quietly wiped a trace of moisture from the corner of his eyes.

"Have you found out why Chen Yan and the other two committed such treacherous acts?"

"I have," Ouyang Yan replied, "They were supporters of Qiu Wu, wanting to hand the Emperor Martial Arts to Qiu Wu, who would then present it to the Emperor, hopefully securing the position of the Crown Prince. They firmly believed that Qiu Wu could be a wise ruler and change the currently weak state of Northern Zhou."

Unlike others still immersed in the glory of the ancient Great Zhou, Ouyang Yan, a lecturer of the Mountain River Academy, was clear-headed, recognizing that Great Zhou was a thing of the past. Now, Northern Zhou, with its mere two provinces, could not live up to the name "Great Zhou." Of course, publicly, he would still follow the common reference to "Great Zhou," but privately, there was no need.

"I have already asked Qiu Wu about this matter, he seems to be unaware. I speculate that perhaps the Emperor used his name to deceive these three students," Ouyang Yan continued.

"Related or not to Qiu Wu, these years he has received excessive favoritism, causing some to develop unwarranted thoughts. I understand the Emperor’s urgent need to gain power from the Emperor Martial Arts but Northern Zhou cannot withstand the Emperor’s actions. If he obtains the Emperor Martial Arts, Daqian will not sit by and watch him grow, it would be a disaster for Northern Zhou.

This incident has turned out well for Feng Jiu; his passing of the items to the Academy maintained the status quo. From now on, treat him better as a warning to those harboring ill intentions. It might also serve as a wake-up call to Qiu Wu, to prevent him from ending up like Chen Yan and the others," Zhuge Longsu said.

"What should we do about Chen Yan and the other two?" Ouyang Yan asked.

"Whether it’s reasons or predicaments, none are excuses for their wrongdoing. They held back during the ambush, contributing to the many deaths, and then committed atrocities that led to the deaths of Lin Chenfeng and another. Strip them of their Martial Arts and meridians, expel them from the sect."

Stripping them of their Martial Arts and meridians meant that Chen Yan and the others would be weaker than ordinary scholars. Further, once expelled, their actions would become widely known. If they do not change their names and keep a low profile, they would not be able to live peacefully. This punishment was indeed severe, but few would sympathize with them.

"By the way, Ouyang, there was another student who was severely injured in the conflict with Chen Yan and the others, damaging his hearing. How is he doing now?" Zhuge Longsu suddenly recalled something and asked Ouyang Yan.

"That student named Meng De has survived after receiving treatment. His life is not in danger, but his hearing, I’m afraid..."