Chapter 182: Kicked Out

"This is our visiting card. Please, Steward Sun, help us deliver it. If we can gain an audience with Master Yang, my brother and I will be deeply grateful for your kindness in reporting our arrival."

Seeming to sense Sun Qiang's wariness, Lu Xun smiled slightly, clasped his hands behind his back, and revealed a confident smile.

From childhood to adulthood, everything had gone smoothly, and with the reputation he had built over the years, he had this confidence and poise.

Within the borders of the Tianxuan Kingdom, as long as the name "Lu Xun" was mentioned, who wouldn't look at him with new eyes and treat him with courtesy?

In the past, it relied on his father, Master Lu Chen, the "Imperial Tutor," but now, "Star Teacher Lu Xun" was a name he had carved out for himself.

"Alright!"

Nodding, Sun Qiang took the visiting card in hand, didn't linger long, and walked into the mansion.

Although Lu Xun was only a star teacher now, given his experience, becoming a master teacher was only a matter of time. As for the issues between master teachers, he, a mere steward, didn't want to get too involved. Everything would be decided by the master.

"A fox assuming the tiger's might, a dog relying on its master's power!"

Seeing the fat man's attitude change drastically upon hearing the name, then turn and walk in, Wang Chao snorted, his face full of disdain.

He had inquired about Sun Qiang's background beforehand; he was just a landlord who rented out shops. He didn't know what Master Yang saw in him that had transformed him into his current status.

Having only reached the Skin and Bone realm in his forties, fat as a pig, with no real skill, he still dared to shout at him. If it weren't for the fact that he was Master Yang's steward, he would have taught him a lesson long ago.

"Just a small-time figure, Brother Wang, no need to mind." Lu Xun smiled.

"So it's Teacher Lu Xun and Teacher Wang Chao. I didn't recognize you earlier. My apologies, my apologies."

"You two are the most famous figures in the entire academy. I've always wanted to visit you, and I never expected to meet you here."

"Truly a stroke of great fortune. I may have to trouble you two teachers with matters in the future..."

Hearing their conversation, the crowd waiting in line behind them no longer showed any of their earlier anger; each one was very polite.

Teachers were divided into two classes: ordinary teachers and master teachers.

Ordinary teachers were further divided into three types: junior, senior, and star teachers.

Master teachers were divided into apprentices (also called teaching assistants) and full master teachers.

Although Lu Xun and Wang Chao were still at the first level, they had reached its peak and obtained the qualifications to become master teachers. As long as they gained recognition from a master teacher, they could immediately become master teacher apprentices, undergo a complete transformation, and rise from obscurity to prominence.

With such status, even though everyone waiting at the door was formidable in strength and held high positions, they dared not offend them.

Moreover, the two were currently seeking an audience with Master Yang; it was possible they might gain his favor. If they became Master Yang's apprentices, it would be too late to curry favor then.

Seeing the crowd's attitude, Lu Xun and Wang Chao smiled simultaneously, their hands clasped behind their backs, exuding an air of superiority and authority, as if they had already become master teacher apprentices.

Hadn't they built such a reputation at a young age precisely for this?

"Don't be angry with that steward, you two. Once you become Master Yang's apprentices, he wouldn't dare say a word even if you gave him ten times the courage."

A cultivator said with a flattering smile.

"Yes, becoming an apprentice means becoming Master Yang's direct disciple, like a junior. He's just a steward, a servant!" another added.

"You flatter us. Becoming an apprentice is extremely difficult; it's not that easy."

Though Lu Xun spoke modestly, his face showed a confident, self-assured smile.

Indeed, throughout the entire Tianxuan Kingdom, he was hailed as the most outstanding star teacher, the number one. If a master teacher were to take on an apprentice, he would undoubtedly be the first choice, unmatched by anyone.

"Teacher Lu is too modest. I've heard that Master Liu had long intended to take you as his apprentice!"

"I've heard that too. But even Master Liu has to seek an audience with Master Yang. If you could become his apprentice, your starting point would certainly be higher."

"If you truly become Master Yang's apprentice, your status might even rival that of a one-star master teacher. Then we'll certainly have to rely on you two teachers for many things..."

Several people continued to flatter.

"Rest assured, if Master Yang truly takes me as his apprentice, I won't forget any of you."

Lu Xun and Wang Chao smiled simultaneously, standing before the crowd like lotuses emerging from mud, noble and untouchable, making others feel inferior and dare not look directly at them.

Creak!

Just then, the courtyard gate creaked open, and Sun Qiang walked out again.

Seeing him come out, the two stepped forward.

"Thank you for your trouble, Steward Sun, in reporting our arrival. Please lead the way." Wang Chao smiled lightly, raised his eyebrows, and was about to walk toward the courtyard.

Before he had taken two steps, a fat figure blocked his way. Sun Qiang looked at him with a strange expression.

"Did Master Yang not allow us in?" Wang Chao's face darkened.

That shouldn't be. The visiting card had detailed their teaching achievements over the years; they were definitely star teachers. How could they not be summoned?

"In? Who said you could come in? You have two choices: either line up, or... get lost!" Sun Qiang waved his hand dismissively.

"You..."

Having sent in the visiting card only to be treated this way, Lu Xun and Wang Chao were nearly furious.

"Is this Master Yang's intention? Little steward, don't make a mistake that you'll regret!"

Lu Xun stepped forward.

He had just established his authority before the crowd, feeling quite pleased with himself, believing that Master Yang would surely summon him. Now, being driven away like this, if he really left, his reputation would be ruined, and he would never be able to hold his head high again.

"Mistake? Men, throw these troublemakers out."

Sun Qiang couldn't be bothered to argue and waved his hand.

Clatter!

Several guards emerged from behind the door, each holding a club, and walked toward Lu Xun and the others.

"You..." Wang Chao's face flushed red with anger. "Sun Qiang, how dare you..."

What do you mean?

Chasing people away with clubs?

Do you take us for beggars?

We are star teachers, renowned throughout the entire Hongtian Academy and even the Tianxuan Kingdom... If we are really driven out by you, where will our dignity be?

"What's there to dare not? The master said, no matter who it is, if they want to see him, they need to line up and pay three million gold coins. Teachers are no exception. Otherwise, if everyone just brought a visiting card, the master would be busy to death. Star teachers, pah! Didn't pay and still want to cut in line? Stop putting on airs and shaming the teaching profession!"

Sun Qiang looked at the two with contempt, waved his hand as if shooing flies, and said, "Throw them out!"

He had been nervous too. After delivering the visiting card to the master, the latter only asked if they had paid. Upon hearing they hadn't, he waved his hand and said to handle it according to the rules.

From this, it was clear that these so-called star teachers... weren't taken seriously at all.

Indeed, even when the Three Masters came, the master was indifferent. What was a mere star teacher?

Clatter!

Hearing Sun Qiang's order, the guards approached. "Please, you two teachers, leave."

They also looked at them with strange expressions.

"I thought teachers valued their dignity. Turns out they didn't pay and just handed in a visiting card, hoping to sneak in?"

"Master Yang did the right thing, treating everyone equally. Teachers have no privileges. Admirable!"

"No money and still cutting in line. What thick skin! And I was just thinking of befriending them..."

"People of such low character, Master Yang surely wouldn't think highly of them. Wanting to become a master teacher... ridiculous!"

...

Not only did the guards look at them unfavorably, but the surrounding crowd also snorted in disdain.

Most of them had paid and waited in line for days without being summoned. These two had given nothing and wanted to barge in? What a joke! Weren't they just asking to be scolded?

"..."

Seeing the crowd looking at them as if they were fools, Lu Xun and Wang Chao nearly spat blood on the spot.

The intense humiliation made them dizzy.

Everyone didn't want to meet in embarrassment; the three million visiting fee was usually given quietly, an unspoken rule. Lu Xun had calculated that by writing a visiting card with sincere words, even if they weren't received, the master would at least spare their dignity and not expose them.

But this fat man not only blurted it out but also looked at them like that...

Lu Xun and Wang Chao felt like crying but had no tears.

Damn it!

This time, they had lost face completely. If there were a crack in the ground, they would have crawled into it long ago.

"You..."

Wanting to say something to save face, Wang Chao felt his arm tighten as Lu Xun grabbed him.

"Sorry, Steward Sun. We were rash. We'll take our leave today..."

With that, he turned and left.

This Steward Sun was a blockhead who said anything. If they didn't leave quickly and stayed any longer, they would not only be infuriated but also lose more face.

Having become star teachers, they weren't stupid. Seeing his friend turn and leave, Wang Chao also realized the problem. He shot a hateful glance at Sun Qiang and quickly followed.

"Lu Xun, what do we do now?"

Leaving the crowd, they stopped in a deserted alley. Wang Chao couldn't help but ask.

They had thought that by presenting the visiting card, they would be taken seriously. Once summoned, they were confident that with their knowledge, they could attract the master's attention. They never dreamed that not only were they not allowed in, but they were also publicly exposed for not paying. The intense frustration drove them nearly mad.

"What else can we do? Get three million and go in openly."

Lu Xun gritted his teeth.

Only by meeting Master Yang could they showcase their learning and impress him. If they couldn't even see the man, what use was it to argue with the steward?

"Three million? Where are we going to get that?" Wang Chao's face was bitter.

"You know, I'm in a conflict with my old man. Even if he had it, he wouldn't give it. Besides, how could I ask?"

Lu Xun shook his head.

"My old man could have come up with it, but just a few days ago, he learned a powerful spear technique and paid several million in tuition. He's out of money too. Not to mention three million, even a few hundred thousand is hard..."

Wang Chao smiled bitterly.

His old man had been obsessed with learning the spear technique these past few days, not even seeing him. Even if he had money, it would be hard to get any.

"Yes, what should we do?"

Both were troubled.

"Lu Xun, if it's really impossible, why don't you borrow some from His Majesty Shen Zhui... You grew up in the palace, right? Borrowing three million shouldn't be too hard. Once you become an apprentice, you can pay him back..."

Suddenly remembering something, Wang Chao couldn't help but say.

"His Majesty Shen Zhui?"

Lu Xun rubbed his forehead, paused for a moment.

"Alright!"