News of the Martial Arts Academy's revival spread like wildfire, setting Yujing ablaze with chatter.
No one had expected the three retired ministers and the Grand Marshal to all join the academy. The Emperor's thoughts on the matter remained a mystery.
"Master, with this godforsaken backwater location, who'd actually sign up?" Zhao Ping'er asked, propping her chin on her hands. Compared to other Yujing academies, the Martial Arts Academy was remote—hard to reach, with no prior reputation, and not even during the usual enrollment season. Who would send their child here?
"…Don't ask me. I'm as confused as you," Zhao Xunan admitted, sitting in a makeshift wooden hut. His heart was in his throat. Though the academy had a storied history, to most Yujingers, it was a new name. Without trust, who'd entrust their child?
Just as he fretted, Li Da led a gaunt figure in: "Master, someone's here to enroll!"
"Guo Zilu?!" Zhao Xunan blinked. The boy had been studying at Zhi Ge Academy—why switch?
"I've entered the immortal path, but the academy's instructors are all martial artists. I need better guidance," Guo Zilu said, his voice stiff. A rare talkative streak for the usually silent boy.
"Ping'er, log him in!" Zhao Xunan's spirits lifted. A talented student like this was a godsend.
Zhao Ping'er clapped her hands, scribbling in the enrollment book with a grin. "Guo Zilu, right? You've come to the right place—your future's bright!"
"About tuition…" Guo Zilu pulled out a hundred-tael banknote, pressing it into her palm. "No need for change."
Zhao Ping'er's eyes lit up. She snatched the note, shoving Li Da aside. "Take Master Guo to his dorm—private quarters, mind you!"
"…Master," Li Da gaped, his face darkening as he stalked off with the boy.
"Li, is Master Ping'er an immortal too?" Guo Zilu asked, eyeing her. Her faint but powerful aura made his hair stand on end.
"Obviously. That miserly girl? Her talent's off the charts. She's been stuck at Foundation Establishment for two years, messing around with cats and bullying us, but her cultivation's skyrocketed—now she's Fourth Realm. And get this—her spirit root's beyond the academy's testing array. Like the Imperial Preceptor Phoenix, a rare super-grade talent."
Guo Zilu craned his neck to look, shock etched on his face. "Beyond the array? That means…"
"Her spirit root's beyond measure—like the Phoenix herself," Zhao Xunan said, grinning.
"Whoa, a hundred taels just like that!" Zhao Ping'er cackled, clutching the banknote. Zhao Xunan rolled his eyes. To her, money was everything—but teaching?
"Money's different. We lose cash on students normally. This is our first real income—can't you be happy?"
She stuffed the note into a wooden box, but Zhao Xunan wasn't done. "This isn't a market, Ping'er. We're educators, not merchants."
But she was already beaming. "Master, you're such a fool. A hundred taels is a hundred taels—why push it away? Remember when we nearly starved three years ago?"
"How could I forget? But we're not desperate now. This kid's a troublemaker—let him ruin the academy's reputation!"
"Master, remember what Master Qian said: 'Teach all, regardless of class'?"
Zhao Xunan frowned. "What's your point?"
"Not everyone's perfect. Flaws make us human. Correcting them is a teacher's duty. Others fear Feng Luxi, but you're not scared. If you mold him into a decent prince, isn't that good for the country?"
Her words hit him. Zhao Ping'er rarely spoke so earnestly—and with such logic. "Three days apart, and I barely recognize you, you little wretch!"
He glared, but she just giggled, hugging the money box. "I'll keep the hundred taels—no way I let you reject this!"
Zhao Xunan sighed. He knew she'd win.
The enrollment surge shocked him. He'd expected mostly young students—tuition was only two taels a year, cheaper than Yujing's private schools. But the first day brought over two hundred students, mostly wealthy elites and officials' sons. Even the National Academy sent a hundred students, including the thirteen short-clad bullies from the midterms.
Zhao Ping'er counted the cash, grinning like a cat. Zhao Xunan, though, grew suspicious. Why's the Grand Preceptor pushing all these troublemakers here?
By mid-October, entire academies arrived—over a thousand students, teachers, and even the National Academy's provost. The enrollment ceremony, held in ancient style with scholars in robes and chants, felt more like a state ritual than a school opening.
The Six Ministries' deputies, dozens of scholars, and even the Grand Preceptor himself attended. For a small academy, it was unprecedented.
"…This doesn't feel right," said Wen Qi, the youngest former minister, frowning.
Feng Pingbo scoffed. "Obviously fishy. Probably a takeover!"
Nong Li nodded. "The Martial Arts Academy's our path to redemption. No one but Xunan can lead it."
Pu Yangyan added, "We'll tell Xiao Zhongmou (Grand Preceptor) straight—if he causes trouble, we'll beat him. We're old, but we can still throw punches!"
As they plotted, Feng Pingbo rolled his eyes. These scholars—they're worse than I thought. Dragging me into their scheme!
"Uh, sirs…?" Zhao Xunan waved from the entrance, where the Grand Preceptor stood, hands behind his back, smirking.
The four froze. The Grand Preceptor had crept up silent as a shadow.
"Enjoying the chaos, old friends?" he drawled.
Wen Qi blustered, "We were just… discussing the academy's future!"
"Is that so?" The Grand Preceptor stepped forward, his tone sharp. "Xun'er, my dear student—do you think one man can carry the world? Or is it better to abandon the Emperor and court for your own 'justice'?"
Feng Pingbo stepped forward, voice booming. "We're not abandoning anyone. We're fighting for fairness!"
The Grand Preceptor's eyes narrowed. "Fairness? Or your own pride?"
The room tension thickened. Zhao Xunan watched, heart pounding. This isn't just about enrollment—it's a battle for the academy's soul.