Reason for Gu Yu's Visit

Faced with this question, Li Yuan remained composed as ever.

"There's more than one qualification for the Youth Martial Tournament in Lingshan City.

Since Teacher Jin Fan is so important and other units have objections, I can simply give up one spot.

I, Li Yuan, am participating in this Youth Martial Tournament—I won't make grand claims, but I can guarantee I'll give it my all."

Standing before so many people, Li Yuan also fell into polite formalities.

Back when he was younger, he always felt these pleasantries were useless.

Going back and forth with the same lines, lacking any real substance.

As he aged and experienced more in life, Li Yuan could open his mouth and let a round of polite talk flow out.

"You don't need to say all that. The citizens of Lingshan City can see for themselves whose responsibility it is."

With that, Principal Yin stopped speaking to Li Yuan.

He turned his head to look at Deputy Director Zeng Chang beside him.

"Director Zeng, you've seen it too—as the principal, I've done my best to consider Lingshan City's interests.

But Teacher Li Yuan won't listen, and there's simply no helping it.

You should know about last Saturday's sparring match, Director Zeng.

If I apply more pressure now, I'm afraid they'll start gossiping and nitpicking my faults."

Zeng Chang didn't immediately respond to Principal Yin.

He looked at Li Yuan, hesitated for a good while, then finally spoke: "Come to the Municipal Bureau next Monday, Teacher Li Yuan. We'll discuss the Youth Martial Tournament matter.

Remember to approve the leave from No. 1 High School to cooperate with the tournament process."

The other teachers around looked at Li Yuan with some sympathy.

This qualification for the Youth Martial Tournament really was full of twists and turns.

Having gotten past the school, now the Education Bureau was blocking the way...

Li Yuan simply stood up to acknowledge the words, his expression completely calm.

There was no need to start being pessimistic right away when he still didn't know this deputy director's intentions.

Worrying about things that hadn't happened yet would only waste energy for no reason.

With these matters settled, today's weekly meeting was nearly over.

After the official business and school administrative items, Principal Yin looked at Director Ma beside him.

Receiving the signal, Director Ma stood up to introduce the new intern joining the staff.

"Starting today, Teacher Gu Yu enters Lingshan No. 1 High School as an intern.

Following Teacher Gu Yu's own request, he will be guided by Teacher Li Yuan.

From now on, our Lingshan No. 1 High School will have two teachers who have studied under a Grandmaster.

Let's welcome Teacher Gu Yu to give a speech."

Director Ma wore a smile on his face—having a young talent like Gu Yu intern here was naturally something he welcomed.

Spreading the word outside would earn Lingshan No. 1 High School another bit of fame.

Gu Yu, seated in the first row, walked up to the podium.

His expression was casual, and before speaking, he put on a faint wry smile.

"To be honest with everyone, I was kicked out by my mentor.

My mentor said I can only return when I've beaten Teacher Li Yuan.

The Cloud Extreme Fist martial technique is indeed impressive.

But in these few days, I've already thought of quite a few ways to counter it.

I hope Teacher Li Yuan won't hesitate to offer guidance and give me another chance to challenge him."

Hearing this, the teachers of No. 1 High School understood.

This wasn't really about interning—it was just his mentor giving him a small punishment, a little reminder.

Which disciple of a Grandmaster wasn't a favored child of heaven? Which one wasn't pursued and praised?

Meeting a rare setback, of course they'd seize it, using this opportunity to temper them.

Better yet, let them lose face a few times, so they wouldn't collapse completely when facing real failure later.

But Gu Yu wasn't done yet.

His gaze fell on Li Yuan, and in front of so many people, he asked directly: "Teacher Li Yuan, how long do you think it'll take for me to beat you?"

Li Yuan was quite surprised too—he hadn't expected to be asked this face-to-face at the weekly meeting.

"Two months."

Li Yuan, a man of thirty, had no interest in bickering over such trivialities.

With a touch of politeness, he played along.

Li Yuan didn't fire back with something like "You'll never surpass me."

His reply was courteous, saving face for the other party.

But Gu Yu, hearing this, still seemed far from satisfied.

"Two months...

That's a bit long. Let's set it at one month.

After the Youth Martial Tournament ends, we'll have another match."

Gu Yu carried an indescribable confidence about him. Even after losing to Li Yuan once, he remained brimming with self-assurance.

Li Yuan also knew why he was so confident.

In that Saturday's spar, Gu Yu didn't truly believe he had lost.

Like some others, he felt Li Yuan's victory was only achieved under a host of limiting conditions.

Gu Yu had suppressed his own martial realm. If he unleashed his Fifth Grade strength, he might not necessarily lose.

Secondly, Li Yuan had used Cloud Extreme Fist, a boxing style rarely seen in actual combat, which happened to hit Gu Yu's blind spot in response.

In any case, in those people's eyes, Li Yuan's win was nothing but luck.

In a month's time, Gu Yu would surely have thoroughly studied the Cloud Extreme Fist.

By then, when they clashed, it would be total suppression.

After Gu Yu spoke, this Friday's Weekly Meeting officially ended, and it was time for the weekend break once more.

Li Yuan and Chen Yong returned to the office together, packing up to head home.

As he packed, Chen Yong talked about this Gu Yu.

"How did he get an internship qualification at Lingshan No.1 High School so easily?

Isn't it only at the beginning of each year that a batch of intern teachers is approved to enter the school?"

Hearing Chen Yong's grumbling, Li Yuan just smiled.

"He's a Grandmaster's disciple. Forget getting an internship qualification—

Even becoming a full-time teacher at No.1 High School would be a breeze for him.

Look at Jin Fan—wasn't he a special hire?"

"True, people like him aren't the same as us."

Chen Yong replied with a laugh. The two left the school gate together and went their separate ways.

Over the following weekend, Li Yuan had Chen Yong come to his rented apartment.

For now, he couldn't offer his good brother much in terms of money or material things.

But helping him deal with this Provincial Department's Open Class inspection was absolutely no problem.

Besides, he might even be able to give Chen Yong some pointers on the martial techniques and cultivation methods he practiced.

Just before seven in the evening, Principal Yin and Director Ma walked together toward the school gate.

Principal Yin, as before, kept talking as they walked.

"Approve his leave for the Youth Martial Tournament.

But make sure to tally exactly how many days Li Yuan has taken off. Deduct his bonus according to the leave time."

Offend the principal, and one should expect to be given a hard time.

Wherever there was an excuse to be found, Li Yuan would likely run into trouble.

But hearing this today, Director Ma didn't nod in agreement. He unconsciously stopped in his tracks.

"What, is there a problem?" Principal Yin looked at Director Ma with some confusion.

He even thought it over—this should be doable.

A long leave with a legitimate reason—his salary would have to be paid as usual.

But the bonus was a reward for work results.

Taking such a long leave and having part of the bonus withheld was perfectly reasonable.

No matter who came to question him, Principal Yin could justify it.

"Principal, how about we let it slide this time?

His bonus isn't much to begin with. He's about to head to the Youth Martial Tournament—he'll need to spend money on those nutrient fluids..."