This time, how could Jiang Shu keep putting on airs in front of him?!
Power and money were always society's passport!
And in the little society that was school,
the principal held the greatest power!
So what if Jiang Shu had achieved Qi and Blood Sensing?!
If the principal really wanted to punish him, he could only obediently accept it!
"Things have really blown up over Jiang Shu. Even the principal's here."
"Wang Han called it. Jiang Shu's getting punished this time."
"Brother Han really knows his stuff. Besides, Jiang Shu was in the wrong to begin with. He took a joke seriously, threw away Brother Han's books, and didn't even apologize right away. Serves him right!"
"Not necessarily. Didn't you just see Jiang Shu lift his desk? He's that strong. Maybe he's made real progress in martial arts, reached minor mastery in Horse Stance, and achieved Qi and Blood Sensing. With that kind of strength, the school would probably just give him a warning to make a point."
"Come on, no way. You know Yao Zhenghao from Class Nine next door? That freak who always takes first place at the sports meet. Even he's still just one step away from Qi and Blood Sensing. Jiang Shu's athletic results are pretty good, but he's nowhere near Yao Zhenghao. How could he be learning martial arts faster? I bet it's some trick he picked up online."
"True. If martial arts were really that easy, wouldn't every Martial Arts Student get into an undergraduate program?"
The students whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with sympathy and regret as they looked toward Jiang Shu.
Everyone thought Jiang Shu was doomed this time.
Meanwhile, Wang Han took a sip of hot water and felt completely at ease!
He closed his eyes, as if he could already see the principal stepping onto the platform and publicly denouncing Jiang Shu's misdeeds, giving him the harshest possible warning.
The principal had arrived! The students were whispering! Wang Han was gloating!
Everything had happened so quickly. The heart that Xu Shuhui had managed to settle sank once more.
She looked at Jiang Shu.
Yet Jiang Shu remained seated on the raised platform, calm and composed.
It wasn't that he was certain the school wouldn't punish him.
Rather, he was confident that even if he left school, he could still make his way in this world through martial arts!
Practicing martial arts meant gathering great power within oneself, taking control of one's own fate, and adapting to every change!
Zhang Taining, standing at the doorway, took it all in.
After listening to Yan Dehou's account, he had quickly reviewed the surveillance footage. Then he'd immediately gotten up and come over to see Jiang Shu in person—the steady student who was striving to get into a martial arts university!
A university!
In all of Ji City, only students from First High School had ever managed to get into one!
He had dreamed countless times that one of his students would get into a university.
That Fifth High School would climb several ranks during his tenure, surpassing Fourth and Third High School in Ji City!
And now, that dream was about to come into focus before his eyes!
Even if Jiang Shu had only reached Qi and Blood Transportation so far,
there were still three months until the college entrance exam, weren't there?
The school could give him ample time and resources.
Even if there was only the faintest chance,
he still had to fight for it and give it a try!
Excitement surged through him like wave after wave. Zhang Taining's gaze immediately settled on the boy in the fifth row, third seat from the back.
Long hair that reached past his ears.
A handsome, refined face.
Beneath his school uniform, his build wasn't as muscular as Zhang Taining had imagined, but was instead remarkably well-proportioned.
The whole classroom felt like the calm before a storm, like Mount Tai was about to collapse.
Yet Jiang Shu's expression didn't change. He sat as solidly as a mountain.
What composure.
No wonder he'd made such progress in martial arts.
As principal, Zhang Taining had met all kinds of people. With one glance, he could see what set Jiang Shu apart from the other students.
He stepped into the classroom and followed Yan Dehou toward Jiang Shu.
"Principal Zhang!"
Seeing that the principal had indeed come, Wang Han shot to his feet and called out loudly, his expression brimming with the excitement of a wronged citizen finally seeing justice done.
"Jiang Shu is the one sitting beside me. He threw away my books and exam papers! The trash can is full of evidence!"
"Principal Zhang, that's not what happened..."
Xu Shuhui gritted her teeth and stood up.
In her mind, Jiang Shu had spoken up to help her out.
Otherwise, he could have gotten upset over Wang Han taking up her desk long ago.
Why wait until after Wang Han said that she had a crush on him?
Jiang Shu had stepped in when she was in trouble, and now he was about to face punishment from the school.
How could she do nothing?
If only she'd done better on that big question in last term's final exam. Then her grades would've put her firmly in the top ten of her year.
Surely the principal would listen to a top student like her for a little longer...
"Adulterous couple," Wang Han cursed inwardly with a cold sneer. Pointing at the surveillance camera behind them, he said, "Xu Shuhui, there's no point making excuses for Jiang Shu. The cameras recorded everything! Do you dare say he didn't throw away my books and exam papers?"
"We're all seniors. Don't you know what our books and exam papers mean to us?"
"And now you're standing up to speak for him. What exactly are you up to?"
"Principal Zhang, all the students saw what happened. Students like this will only ruin the reputation of Fifth High School!"
The more Wang Han spoke, the more fired up he got. He didn't notice Zhang Taining's brow furrowing little by little.
"Mm."
Zhang Taining replied to Wang Han without expression and made no further move. He stood in front of Jiang Shu, who had also risen to his feet.
Then his usually stern face suddenly broke into a smile.
"You must be Jiang Shu."
"If you want to focus on martial arts, you don't actually need to take a leave of absence. We have spare dorm rooms at school. If you think sharing a room would disturb your rest, you can have a room to yourself. We're also about to purchase new fitness equipment for the gym, and you'll be able to use it whenever you like."
"If you have any difficulties, just tell us. As principal, I hope all our students can feel at home here. Jiang Shu, give it some thought. The school will do everything it can to support you."
As he spoke, Zhang Taining extended a hand to Jiang Shu.
There was not a trace of a principal's authority in his voice. He spoke as if they were equals.
It was as though he hadn't heard a word Wang Han had said.
As the two men shook hands,
the air froze.
Sunlight streamed in as dust drifted through the air above the desks.
Wang Han's eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost. He stood there, frozen like a wax figure.
A pen slipped from one student's hand.
It hit the floor with a clack.
No one had expected the principal to speak not to announce a punishment, but to persuade Jiang Shu to stay!
To keep Jiang Shu from taking a leave of absence, he'd even offered him a private room and new equipment for the gym.
Did Martial Arts Students who'd achieved Qi and Blood Sensing really get this kind of treatment?
"Thank you for your concern, Principal. I'll give it some thought."
Jiang Shu hadn't expected Principal Zhang to value him so much.
If he returned to school, he would receive the best treatment available: a private room, complete control over his own schedule, and access to the huge gym and all its fitness equipment.
The offer was tempting, but...
He could have all the free time he wanted at home, and spend more time with his parents.
Why go back to school?
It would only lead to more complications.
Before you continue