The Academy Was Also an Officialdom

Qin Ming naturally knew Xue Qinghe. If he did not even recognize the current Crown Prince, then his standing would be far too pathetic.

As for Gu Rong, though Qin Ming was not familiar with him, he had seen him from afar when he came to Heaven Dou Royal Academy with Ning Fengzhi before, so he knew who he was.

The only thing that puzzled him somewhat was the little girl standing before Gu Rong, who looked like a porcelain doll.

The little girl looked at Qin Ming with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

But because she was simply too adorable, Qin Ming instinctively smiled at her.

He then withdrew his gaze and cupped his hands in greeting to the people before him. "Education Committee Member Meng, Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Eminence Bone Douluo."

"Mm."

Meng Shenji slightly raised his chin and said to Qin Ming, "Qin Ming, we called you here mainly because His Highness the Crown Prince wished to meet Jiang He. However, you were training Jiang He in the Gravity Training Room just now, so His Highness did not disturb you. Where is Jiang He now? Take us to him."

Hm?!

Qin Ming's heart skipped a beat.

There were two implications in Meng Shenji's words.

First, Xue Qinghe and the others had arrived long ago and had been waiting to see Jiang He.

Second, judging by the order of precedence, they were not summoning Jiang He over. Instead, they had called Qin Ming here and asked him to take them to see Jiang He.

What Jiang He was receiving was far more than respect. They were practically ready to put him on a pedestal.

It seemed true geniuses were sought after wherever they went.

Qin Ming sighed inwardly, then said to Meng Shenji, "Education Committee Member Meng, Jiang He was somewhat tired from training today, so I had him go home to rest first. He only awakened his Martial Soul not long ago and still has much to learn, so the courses during this period have been rather taxing on him."

"He went home?"

Meng Shenji frowned slightly, then looked to Xue Qinghe. "Your Highness, it seems our trip today was in vain."

Upon hearing that, Xue Qinghe smiled and shook his head. "It is no matter. We have merely troubled Your Eminence Bone Douluo for nothing."

Gu Rong was just about to speak when Ning Rongrong beat him to it.

Her porcelain-doll-like face was clearly filled with displeasure as she complained, "Grandpa Bone, I told you I didn't want to come. Why did we have to come anyway? We sat here for ages without even seeing him, and now we have to go back. How boring. And that person too—he knew I was coming, so why wasn't he here waiting for me?"

Hearing this, Gu Rong smiled and patted Ning Rongrong's head. "Be good, Rongrong. Your Brother Jiang He only just awakened his Martial Soul and needs to learn the relevant knowledge. That is perfectly normal. Don't you have to attend lessons as well?"

"He isn't my brother! I've never even met him. Besides, I already have so many brothers at home. What do I need another one for?"

"Heh heh."

Gu Rong gave a dry laugh and did not continue the subject.

Seeing this from the side, Xue Qinghe could not help smiling faintly.

It seemed the young lady of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was not all that willing to cooperate with this matter either.

At that moment, Gu Rong said to Xue Qinghe, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, since that is the case, this old man will take Rongrong back to the sect first."

Xue Qinghe cupped his hands toward Gu Rong. "Please travel safely, Your Eminence. I shall see you off."

"There is no need. We have already troubled Your Highness enough today. We shall come disturb Your Highness another day."

Unlike Dugu Bo, Gu Rong represented the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect whenever he went out, so his manners and bearing were impeccable.

If it had been Dugu Bo... he would probably have walked out with his nose in the air.

Who would bother being so polite with you?

After Gu Rong left with Ning Rongrong, Xue Qinghe looked at Qin Ming and asked, "Teacher Qin, I would like to know how you have arranged Jiang He's course schedule recently."

"Your Highness, although Jiang He only just awakened his Martial Soul, his talent in battle is exceptional. After just one practical combat class yesterday, he already displayed combat experience no less than that of a seasoned fighter.

However, his Martial Soul's enhancement of him is simply too great, causing his control over his own body to fall short of perfection.

Therefore, the courses I have arranged for him recently mainly focus on controlling his body, while also further strengthening it, since that is his strong suit.

Later on, I may arrange for him to study some theoretical knowledge. That will not only enrich his theoretical foundation, but also allow him to rest appropriately amid his intensive practical combat training. Besides..."

Qin Ming went on at length about the plan he had tailored for Jiang He.

Xue Qinghe smiled and nodded throughout, never interrupting him.

Only after Qin Ming finished did Xue Qinghe say with a smile, "Teacher Qin truly deserves to be one of the finest teachers at our Royal Academy. From such course arrangements alone, I can tell that Jiang He will shine brilliantly under Teacher Qin's guidance."

A flash of excitement appeared on Qin Ming's face, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Thank you for Your Highness's praise. It is merely my duty."

After exchanging pleasantries, Xue Qinghe said to Qin Ming, "Then I shall leave Jiang He's instruction to Teacher Qin. I still have matters to attend to in the palace, so I will take my leave first."

"Farewell, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

Amid Qin Ming's send-off, Xue Qinghe also left the Education Committee office.

Only when Qin Ming and Meng Shenji remained in the office did Meng Shenji speak. "Teacher Qin, whether it is our academy, His Highness the Crown Prince, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, or even..."

He paused, then continued, "They all place great importance on Jiang He. Therefore, please be sure to devote extra care to his training."

Qin Ming nodded, his expression earnest. "Please rest assured, Education Committee Member. I will not let the academy down."

"Mm, I do have great faith in Teacher Qin on that point."

Meng Shenji nodded, then said meaningfully, "His Highness the Crown Prince will be coming to the academy frequently in the near future to inspect the students' learning progress. Since Jiang He has only just enrolled, he could appropriately study some theoretical knowledge."

Understanding flashed in Qin Ming's eyes. "Very well, Education Committee Member. I know what to do."

"Mm. Go back and teach your class first."

Qin Ming cupped his hands and left the office.

Meng Shenji's words just now, coupled with the attitudes everyone had shown toward Jiang He earlier, made Qin Ming understand.

They wanted him to create opportunities for chance encounters.

It was not hard to see that they did not want to leave Jiang He with the impression that he had been "summoned," lest he feel displeased.

As for why they had not said it directly... that was something Qin Ming found somewhat irritating, yet had no choice but to accept.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was a place that directly supplied talent to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

There were no telling how many children of high-ranking officials and nobles within it.

Although the academy's Education Committee Members held no official posts, they came into contact with an extraordinary number of nobles and dignitaries in their daily lives.

Coupled with the academy's importance to the Heaven Dou Imperial Family, the position of Education Committee Member was, in truth, an extremely high unofficial office.

And since they were officials, this was simply how they spoke.

Qin Ming had not been at Heaven Dou Royal Academy for merely a day or two, so he naturally understood these things.

One could even say that this had been precisely why he came to Heaven Dou Royal Academy in the first place.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy was an officialdom belonging to Soul Masters!

Here, strength could replace some of the abilities required of an official.

With enough strength, one could become an official too!

Didn't people live their lives pursuing nothing more than fame and profit?