Chapter 79: Chapter 79: A Spar Between Teachers
"Teacher Liuu Bin, what can I do for you?"
Qin Ya didn’t comment on Liuu Bin’s behavior—a classic case of an old cow grazing on tender grass—but the "tender grass" in question held a grudge against him. He had no idea what this "old cow" standing before him would do.
Liuu Bin smiled faintly, looking gentle and refined, but a sinister coldness flashed deep within his eyes. He concealed it well, but not well enough to escape Qin Ya’s keen perception. ’Just as I expected,’ Qin Ya thought. ’He’s up to no good.’
"Every so often, the Academy’s teachers gather in small groups to discuss teaching matters and cultivation insights. I’ve come this time to invite Teacher Qin to join me at Xuanfeng Mountain for a gathering with several other teachers," Liuu Bin said with a faint smile.
"So he was just inviting Teacher Qin to a get-together. I thought he was here to stir up trouble. How boring."
"Sigh, I’m a little disappointed too. No chance to see Teacher Qin cause a scene. I thought we were in for another good show. Let’s head back."
"That Liuu Bin is such a coward, not even challenging Teacher Qin."
The students’ chatter reached his ears, and the corner of Qin Ya’s mouth twitched. ’Just how badly do these students want me to cause trouble?’
As for Liuu Bin, he appeared unfazed by the students’ words, but the coldness in his heart deepened.
His affair with Lu Yuwei had been going on for some time, and many in the Academy knew about it. His current posturing before Qin Ya would naturally draw criticism.
’Qin Ya, I will make you pay.’
Qin Ya couldn’t know what Liuu Bin was thinking, but from the fleeting expression in the man’s eyes, it was clear he was in an extremely foul mood.
"Excuse me, Teacher Liuu, which other teachers will be there?"
"There will be Cloud Sea Yun Teacher, Teacher Li Ming, Teacher Dong Xingfeng, and Teacher Lin Yifeng," Liuu Bin rattled off a string of teachers’ names. It certainly sounded like a real gathering.
However, many of the sharp-witted students below furrowed their brows.
Feng Ling’s delicate brows knitted. She said to Muu Xue, "Those are all teachers from the Academy’s Martial Combat Sect. But Teacher Qin is an Alchemy Teacher. Why would their gathering have any business with him?"
"Exactly. Even if it is a gathering, it should be an Alchemy Teacher extending the invitation. For teachers from the Martial Combat Sect to invite Teacher Qin is completely out of place. Liuu Bin’s motives are not pure."
"Hmph. Lu Yuwei wouldn’t take being taught a lesson by Teacher Qin lying down. See? She’s obviously gotten Liuu Bin to help her get revenge." Feng Ling snorted, her eyes flashing with contempt.
"I hope Teacher Qin sees through it and doesn’t agree."
Qin Ya hadn’t been at Mingxin Academy for long and didn’t recognize most of the teachers Liuu Bin had mentioned, nor did he know what they taught. However, you didn’t need to be a genius to know Liuu Bin’s intentions were malicious. The best response would be to refuse.
"Alright, Teacher Liuu. Lead the way."
Qin Ya said with an indifferent smile. Evading a challenge wasn’t his style.
Muu Xue shook her head and sighed. "I’m sure Teacher Qin could see that Liuu Bin’s intentions weren’t pure, but he still agreed. I guess you really can’t expect Teacher Qin to be the type to compromise."
"Now that’s a real man..." Feng Ling chuckled.
...............
Xuanfeng Mountain wasn’t very far from Xianyun Peak, just a few mountains over. With their speed, Qin Ya and Liuu Bin reached the summit of Xuanfeng Mountain in less than a quarter of an hour.
On the summit, seven or eight people were gathered in a pavilion, drinking and chatting, occasionally clapping their hands in laughter. When they saw Liuu Bin and Qin Ya arrive, they all rose to greet them. "Teacher Liuu, Teacher Qin."
Lin Yifeng walked up to Qin Ya and laughed heartily. "Teacher Qin, we meet again! I’ve missed our conversations since we last parted."
"It’s been a while," Qin Ya replied with a faint smile.
Lin Yifeng had spoken with Qin Ya once before at the Academy’s Mountain Delicacies Tower. Both men hailed from Qingyu County, and aside from Qin Ya, Lin Yifeng was the youngest teacher at the Academy.
All eyes were fixed on Qin Ya, the Academy’s youngest High-Level Teacher. They were certainly no strangers to his name and were quite curious about this young man who wasn’t even twenty yet.
"Teacher Qin, I’ve heard so much about you."
"Ever since the incident at the Master Dao Pavilion, Teacher Qin’s fame has only grown. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say his name now shakes the Imperial Capital."
"Heh heh, seeing you today, you are indeed as remarkable as they say."
Qin Ya smiled faintly and nodded in acknowledgment. He then sat down with the others and joined the discussion about recent teaching experiences and cultivation insights.
As the conversation flowed, Liuu Bin steered the topic toward Qin Ya. "Teacher Qin has been the man of the hour at the Academy lately. When I went to invite him just now, the crowd of students was like a sea of people."
"Oh, I’ve heard about that."
"Teacher Qin is truly a Divine Being. To have such accomplishments, he must be the first in the Academy’s history. I’m impressed."
Though their words were complimentary, they couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy. They were teachers too, some having been at the Academy for over a decade, yet a young man who had just arrived had completely overshadowed them.
How could they possibly feel at ease about that?
Lin Yifeng, however, didn’t think much of it. Firstly, like Qin Ya, he was also a new teacher at the Academy. Secondly, they both came from Qingyu County. And thirdly, he was broad-minded by nature and had only come to the Academy to temper himself.
"You all flatter me," Qin Ya said indifferently.
A cold smile touched the corner of Liuu Bin’s mouth. ’The tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be broken by the wind.’
"Since this is a gathering and we are all Martial Artists, a bit of sparring is inevitable. What do you all think?" Liuu Bin said with a smile.
"That’s an excellent suggestion. A fine idea."
Lin Yifeng was the first to stand. He cupped his fists toward the crowd and said, "As a newcomer, I still have much to learn from all of you. Allow me to start the ball rolling. Who would be willing to offer some pointers?"
A middle-aged teacher with a goatee stood up, smiling. "Teacher Lin, you’re too modest. Let’s have a friendly bout, you and I."
"Teacher Yun, after you."
"Please."
Lin Yifeng was a Junior Teacher at the Academy, with a Cultivation Realm at around the Second or Third Grades of the Earth Element Realm. Teacher Yun, on the other hand, was an Intermediate Teacher. Although his Cultivation was also in the Earth Element Realm, his Tier was at least the Seventh Grade or higher.
Although the gap in their Realms was huge, it didn’t matter much since it was just a friendly match. The two of them took their stances, ready to begin.
Lin Yifeng gave a low shout and threw a punch. In an instant, he mobilized the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, which slowly formed a faint fist shadow. An aura as heavy as a mountain pressed toward Teacher Yun.
In contrast, Teacher Yun stood as firm as Mount Tai, completely unmoved. A look of approval in his eyes, he slowly extended his right hand, forming it into a reverse claw that grabbed at the fist shadow. The two attacks met with a thunderous BOOM that shook the area for several kilometers.
Lin Yifeng was knocked back several steps. Gazing at the unmoving, smiling Teacher Yun, he said with emotion, "Teacher Yun’s strength is truly formidable. I am in awe."
Then, his tone shifted. A sharp light glinted in Lin Yifeng’s eyes as he retrieved a long, cyan sword from his Storage Ring. "Be careful now, Teacher Yun," he said. "My greatest strength lies in the Sword Dao."
