Faced with such a question, Li Yuan remained composed.
"There's more than one qualification slot for the Youth Martial Tournament in Lingshan City.
Since Teacher Jin Fan is so important, and other institutions have objections, they can simply give up one of theirs.
As for my participation in this Youth Martial Tournament, I won't make any grand claims, but I can guarantee that I'll give it my all."
In front of so many people, Li Yuan resorted to polite formalities as well.
When he had been younger, he had always felt such empty pleasantries were useless.
They were the same phrases over and over again, with little substance.
But as he grew older and experienced more things,
Li Yuan had also learned how to open his mouth and let a string of niceties flow out.
"You don't need to say any of that. The people of Lingshan City can see whose responsibility this really is."
After saying that, Principal Yin did not speak to Li Yuan again.
He turned to look at Deputy Director Zeng Chang beside him.
"Director Zeng, you've seen it too. As the principal, I've already done my best to consider Lingshan City's interests.
But Teacher Li Yuan refuses to listen. There's really nothing I can do.
You should know about last Saturday's match as well, Director Zeng.
If I put any more pressure on him, I'm afraid people will start gossiping again and picking apart my faults."
Zeng Chang did not immediately respond to Principal Yin.
He looked at Li Yuan and hesitated for quite a while before speaking. "Teacher Li Yuan, come to the Municipal Bureau next Monday. We'll discuss the Youth Martial Tournament.
First High School, remember to approve his leave and cooperate with the Youth Martial Tournament procedures."
The other teachers around them looked at Li Yuan with some sympathy.
This Youth Martial Tournament qualification had truly been one twist after another.
He had made it past the school's hurdle, yet the Education Bureau still intended to stop him...
Li Yuan merely stood and acknowledged him, his expression calm.
He still did not know what this deputy director intended, so there was no need to become pessimistic right away.
Worrying over things that had not happened would only drain his energy for no reason.
With those matters settled, today's Weekly Meeting was nearly over.
After the serious business and miscellaneous school affairs, Principal Yin looked toward Director Ma beside him.
Having received the cue, Director Ma stood and introduced the new intern.
"Starting today, Teacher Gu Yu will be interning at Lingshan No.1 High School.
After consulting Teacher Gu Yu, Teacher Li Yuan will serve as his mentor.
From now on, Lingshan No.1 High School will have two teachers who have both studied under Grandmasters.
Now, let us welcome Teacher Gu Yu to speak."
Director Ma wore a smile. Of course, he welcomed a young genius like Gu Yu coming here to intern.
Once word got out, it would bring Lingshan No.1 High School even more prestige.
Gu Yu, seated in the front row, walked up to the podium.
His expression was casual. Before speaking, he deliberately put on a wry smile.
"To be honest with everyone, I was kicked out by my mentor.
He said I could only return after I defeated Teacher Li Yuan.
Cloud Extreme Fist is indeed an impressive martial skill.
But over the past few days, I've also come up with quite a few ways to deal with it.
I hope Teacher Li Yuan will be generous with his guidance and give me another chance to challenge him."
Hearing this, the teachers at First High School understood.
This was hardly an internship. It was merely a small punishment and reminder from his mentor.
Which disciple of a Grandmaster was not a favored son of heaven? Which one was not showered with praise?
When they rarely encountered a setback, naturally it had to be seized as an opportunity to temper them.
It would be best if they embarrassed themselves a little more, lest they suffer a true defeat someday and never recover.
But Gu Yu was not finished yet.
He looked at Li Yuan and asked in front of everyone, "Teacher Li Yuan, how long do you think it'll take before I can beat you?"
Li Yuan was surprised as well. He had not expected Gu Yu to ask him that so directly at this Weekly Meeting.
"Two months."
At thirty years old, Li Yuan had no interest in arguing over such verbal sparring.
He gave him a somewhat courteous answer, playing along.
Li Yuan did not shoot back with something like, "You'll never surpass me."
His answer had been very polite and had given Gu Yu plenty of face.
Yet Gu Yu seemed quite dissatisfied upon hearing it.
"Two months...
That's a little too long. Let's make it one month.
After the Youth Martial Tournament ends, the two of us will have another match."
Gu Yu carried an indescribable confidence. Even though he had lost to Li Yuan once, he remained immensely self-assured.
Li Yuan knew why he was so confident.
In Saturday's match, Gu Yu had not truly believed that he had lost.
Like some others, he felt that Li Yuan's victory had only come under numerous restrictions and conditions.
Gu Yu had suppressed his martial cultivation level. If he had used Fifth Grade strength, he might not have lost.
Furthermore, Li Yuan had used Cloud Extreme Fist. This sort of fist technique was rarely seen in actual combat, and it had happened to strike right at Gu Yu's blind spot in responding.
In those people's eyes, Li Yuan's victory had simply been a matter of luck.
Given a month, Gu Yu would certainly be able to thoroughly study Cloud Extreme Fist.
When they fought again, he would suppress Li Yuan in every respect.
After Gu Yu finished speaking, Friday's Weekly Meeting officially ended, and the weekend break followed.
Li Yuan returned to the office with Chen Yong, packed up, and prepared to go home.
As Chen Yong packed, he talked about Gu Yu.
"How did he get an internship spot at Lingshan No.1 High School so easily?
Aren't batches of intern teachers only allowed into the school at the beginning of each year?"
Hearing Chen Yong's complaint, Li Yuan merely smiled.
"He's a Grandmaster's disciple. Forget getting an internship spot.
Even becoming a full-time teacher at First High School would be effortless for him.
Look at Jin Fan. Wasn't he specially recruited?"
"That's true. He's not like us."
Chen Yong replied with a smile. The two left the school together and went their separate ways.
Over the following two weekend days, Li Yuan had Chen Yong come to his rented apartment.
For now, he could not give his good brother much in the way of money or material things.
But helping him handle the Provincial Department's Open Class evaluation would be no problem at all.
Besides, Li Yuan might be able to offer Chen Yong some pointers regarding the martial skills and cultivation methods he practiced.
Near seven in the evening, Principal Yin and Director Ma walked toward the school gate together.
As before, Principal Yin talked as he walked.
"Approve his leave for the Youth Martial Tournament.
But make sure to calculate exactly how many days Teacher Li Yuan takes off. Deduct his bonus according to the length of his leave."
After offending Principal Yin, Li Yuan should have expected to be targeted.
As long as there was an excuse to be found, Li Yuan would most likely run into trouble.
But upon hearing this today, Director Ma did not nod in agreement. He unconsciously stopped walking.
"What? Is there a problem?" Principal Yin looked at Director Ma with some confusion.
He thought about it. This matter should be manageable.
For a long leave with a legitimate reason, his salary naturally had to be paid.
But bonuses were rewards for work performance.
If he took leave for such a long period, suspending part of his bonus was perfectly reasonable.
No matter who came asking, Principal Yin would have an explanation ready.
"Principal, how about we let it go this time?
His bonus wasn't much to begin with. He's about to attend the Youth Martial Tournament, and buying those nutrient solutions costs money..."
Before you continue