Laughing to the Sky, I Walk Out the Door

Power and money had always been society's passports!

And within the small society of a school,

the principal held the greatest power!

So what if Jiang Shu had achieved Qi and Blood Sensing?

If the principal truly wanted to punish him, he could only obediently accept it!

"This Jiang Shu situation has gotten huge—even the principal came."

"Wang Han really called it. Jiang Shu's getting punished this time."

"Brother Han knows his stuff. Besides, Jiang Shu was in the wrong to begin with. He took a joke seriously, threw Brother Han's books away, and didn't apologize right away. He deserves it!"

"Not necessarily. Did you just see Jiang Shu lift that desk? With that kind of strength, could he have made real progress in martial arts, reached minor success in the Horse Stance, and achieved Qi and Blood Sensing? With that sort of ability, the school should only give him a warning, just for show."

"Tch, how could that be? Do you know Yao Zhenghao from Class Nine next door? That freak who always took first place at the school sports meet. Even now, he's still only one step away from Qi and Blood Sensing. Jiang Shu's athletic results are decent too, but he's nowhere near Yao Zhenghao. How could he possibly progress in martial arts faster than him? I think he probably just learned some trick online."

"That's true. If martial arts were really that easy, wouldn't every martial arts student be able to get into university?"

The students whispered among themselves, wave after wave of deeply sympathetic, regretful gazes falling upon Jiang Shu.

Everyone thought Jiang Shu would be unable to escape disaster this time.

As for Wang Han, he took a sip of hot water and felt wonderfully refreshed all over!

He closed his eyes, as if he could already see the principal stepping onto the podium and publicly announcing Jiang Shu's misdeeds before handing down the most severe warning punishment!

The principal had come! The students whispered! Wang Han was delighted!

Everything had happened too fast. Xu Shuhui's sinking heart rose into her throat once more!

She looked toward Jiang Shu.

Yet Jiang Shu remained seated steadily upon his high perch, calm and unruffled.

It was not that he was certain the school would not punish him.

Rather, he was confident that even if he left school, he could still establish himself in this world through the Martial Dao!

Practicing martial arts meant bringing mighty power into one's own hands, grasping one's fate, and facing every change!

At the doorway, Zhang Taining took everything in.

After hearing Yan Dehou's account and briefly reviewing the surveillance footage, he immediately rose and came over to personally see Jiang Shu—the martial arts student who was certain to enter a Key University and might contend for an Academy!

An Academy.

That was an Academy that, throughout all of Jicheng's urban district, only students from First High School had ever been able to touch!

Countless times in his dreams, he had dreamed of one of his own students being admitted to an Academy.

He had dreamed that Fifth High School would climb several steps during his tenure and surpass Jicheng Fourth High School and Third High School!

And now, that dream was about to unfold clearly before his eyes!

Although Jiang Shu had only reached Qi and Blood Circulation,

there were still three months until the College Entrance Examination, weren't there?

The school could absolutely give him ample time and ample resources.

Even if there was only the slightest possibility,

he had to fight for it and give it a try!

Excitement surged through him like tides crashing again and again. Zhang Taining's gaze immediately locked onto the young man seated in the third-to-last seat of the fifth row.

His long hair fell past his ears.

His features were handsome.

His figure beneath the school uniform was not as robust as Zhang Taining had imagined, instead appearing exceptionally well-proportioned.

Though the atmosphere in the classroom was like a storm about to break, Mount Tai on the verge of collapse,

his expression did not change, and he sat upright as steady as a mountain.

Such a state of mind.

No wonder he had accomplished something in martial arts.

As principal, Zhang Taining had seen countless people. At a glance, he could tell that Jiang Shu was different from so many other students.

He stepped into the classroom and followed Yan Dehou toward Jiang Shu.

"Principal Zhang!"

Seeing the principal truly approach, Wang Han abruptly stood and called out loudly, his expression even carrying the excitement of having the heavens uphold justice for the people.

"The one beside me is Jiang Shu. He's the one who threw away my books and test papers! The trash can is full of evidence of his crimes!"

"Principal Zhang, it wasn't like that..."

Xu Shuhui gritted her teeth and stood up.

In her view, Jiang Shu had spoken up to get her out of a difficult situation.

Otherwise, he could have lost his temper long ago over Wang Han taking up his desk.

Why wait until Wang Han said she had a crush on him?

Jiang Shu had stepped forward when she was in trouble, and now Jiang Shu was about to face the school's punishment.

How could she do nothing?

If only she had done better on that big question at the end of last semester. Her grades would have securely placed her in the top ten of the year.

The principal would probably listen to an outstanding student like her for a few more words...

"Adulterous pair."

Wang Han cursed inwardly, sneered, and pointed at the surveillance camera behind them. "Xu Shuhui, it's useless even if you want to argue for Jiang Shu. The surveillance footage recorded everything! Do you dare say Jiang Shu didn't throw away my books and test papers?"

"We're all senior-year students. Don't you know what books and test papers mean to us?"

"And now you're standing up to speak. What are your intentions?"

"Principal Zhang, all the students saw it. A student like this at Fifth High School will only tarnish our school's reputation!"

The more Wang Han spoke, the more energized he became, completely failing to notice Zhang Taining's brow gradually furrowing.

"Mm."

After responding to Wang Han expressionlessly, Zhang Taining made no further move. He stood before Jiang Shu, and after watching Jiang Shu rise as well,

his always stern face suddenly broke into a smile.

"So you are Jiang Shu."

"If you want to practice martial arts in peace, there's actually no need to take a leave from school. We still have vacant dorm rooms. If you feel group accommodation might disturb your rest, you can have a room to yourself. Also, our school gym will be purchasing a batch of new fitness equipment, and you'll be free to use it whenever you wish."

"If you have any difficulties, just bring them up. As the principal, I still hope every student can feel the atmosphere of home here at school. Jiang Shu, think it over carefully. On the school's side, we will definitely give you our full support."

As Zhang Taining spoke, he extended a hand toward Jiang Shu.

There was not the slightest hint of a principal's airs in his tone, as though he were speaking to an equal.

As though he had never heard Wang Han's words.

As their hands clasped,

the air froze.

Under the sunlight, dust atop the desks drifted bit by bit.

Wang Han's eyes widened as though he had seen a ghost. He stood frozen in place like a wax statue.

A pen slipped from some student's hand.

With a clatter, it fell to the floor.

No one had expected the principal to speak not to announce punishment, but to persuade him to stay!

To keep Jiang Shu from taking leave, he had even offered him a private room and new gym equipment.

Could a martial arts student—one who had achieved Qi and Blood Sensing—receive such treatment?

"Thank you for your concern, Principal Zhang. I'll think it over carefully."

Jiang Shu had not expected Principal Zhang to value him so highly.

It could be said that if he returned to school, he would enjoy the best treatment the school had to offer. A room to himself, freedom over his time, and a huge sports field along with numerous fitness machines for his training.

The terms were tempting, but...

He could have free time at home as well, and he could spend more time with his parents.

Why return to school?

Why create more complications?

Jiang Shu was neither servile nor overbearing, but his words already carried a hint of refusal.

Zhang Taining paused.

Jiang Shu's will was even firmer than he had imagined.

Still, that was no great problem.

It would naturally be best if these conditions could make Jiang Shu remain at school.

If Jiang Shu still chose to take leave, it would not stop him from remembering this favor.

After all, Jiang Shu was still a student of Jicheng Fifth High School.

"Jiang Shu, class is about to begin, so let's not disturb the other students. Come sit in my office."

Zhang Taining spoke with a smile. "Zheng Yanbo, the guest speaker who came today, is also in my office. He's quite interested in you as well and said he would like to meet and chat."

"Okay."

Jiang Shu agreed at once. He truly had far too many questions about martial arts realms and cultivation methods on Xuanxing.

Zheng Yanbo should be the first professional he could encounter at his current stage.

If he could gain something from their meeting and conversation, it would count as a small unexpected delight after this incident.

The second hand moved steadily around the classroom clock.

In the entire classroom, only Jiang Shu and Zhang Taining's laughter and conversation could be heard.

One was a senior-year youth not yet eighteen. His grades were average, and he had practiced martial arts for only four months.

The other was a high school principal past forty. He had long since gained a firm foothold in society, his position a ceiling ordinary people could struggle their entire lives without reaching.

Their statuses were clearly worlds apart.

Yet at this moment, they were like friends despite their age difference!

Everyone stared blankly at the scene before them.

Even with reality laid out before their eyes,

they felt as though God had played a tremendous joke on them.

Amid the crowd's shocked, suspicious, disbelieving gazes, Zhang Taining and Jiang Shu walked out of the classroom, their laughter fading into the distance.

Though the two had left, the classroom remained deathly silent.

It was not until the bell signaling the end of class shattered Wang Han's silence.

"Jiang Shu—what gives him the right?!"

"Even if he's achieved Qi and Blood Sensing, he's only met the threshold for guaranteed admission to an ordinary university without an entrance exam. Our school may not have many students getting into Key Universities, but are we short one undergraduate student? Why protect him?"

"Can Martial Arts Students really do whatever they please?"

"Teacher Yan, I refuse to accept this!"

Wang Han's expression gradually twisted. He jumped up, as though at this moment, he were the victim being oppressed by tyranny.

The entire class focused their gazes on Yan Dehou.

They wanted to know the real reason as well.

Did Jiang Shu have some special background? Impossible. They had been classmates for over a year, and everyone had some idea what each other's families were like.

Was it because Jiang Shu had achieved Qi and Blood Sensing? That should not be it either. Qi and Blood Sensing only meant getting into an undergraduate university.

It was possible for him to earn Old Yan's favor.

But how could the principal possibly lower himself to personally invite him?

Facing the curious, expectant, shocked, and puzzled faces throughout the classroom, Yan Dehou finally could not hold back any longer. He sighed and said quietly,

"Jiang Shu has already reached Qi and Blood Circulation. The principal believes he has an excellent chance of making a push for an Academy before the College Entrance Examination."

Jiang Shu actually had a chance to enter an Academy!

Yan Dehou's voice was not loud, yet it was like thunder and raging waves crashing upon the immature hearts of more than forty underage students in the classroom.

During their middle and high school years, most students did not have a particularly clear understanding of power and money in society.

Academic grades were their standard of measurement.

The tier of university was one of the important standards by which they judged whether someone had a promising future.

The outstanding students in class all worked hard to get into Key Universities.

And now, Jiang Shu, who had always ranked in the middle of the class. Jiang Shu, who had always been silent and unnoticed in the class. Jiang Shu, who had switched to the martial arts track in his final semester and seemed likely to end up at a junior college from slacking off.

Had actually reached Qi and Blood Circulation, was assured of entering a Key University, and could contend for an Academy.

How could they possibly believe it!

Even though the person saying it was their homeroom teacher, Teacher Yan Dehou.

Faint sounds of breathing rose and fell throughout the classroom.

Facing the now-empty seat before her, Xu Shuhui looked at Wang Han, who stood dazed beside it, and there was no longer any anger in her expression.

She only found Wang Han pitiful.

Wang Han had kicked up a fuss and embellished every detail.

But from the very beginning, Jiang Shu had never regarded Wang Han as worth his attention.

With the talent to reach Qi and Blood Circulation in less than four months of martial arts practice,

how could he possibly end up at a junior college?

How could he possibly lack a future?

Before even becoming a martial artist, he could already converse with the principal as an equal.

And she—even if she became first in the year—would she dare speak to Principal Zhang like that?

Xu Shuhui could not help shaking her head.

Whether it was her or the other students, perhaps none of them had ever truly understood Jiang Shu.

She turned and looked toward the classroom door, once more recalling the sight of Jiang Shu rising to his feet before Principal Zhang.

He had not explained anything he had done.

He had not accused Wang Han of anything he had said wrong.

Faced with Wang Han and the many classmates making things difficult for him, he remained utterly indifferent.

Only when he walked out the door, laughing and chatting with the principal, did he give his true response!

The foolish wife of Kuaiji scorned Zhu Maichen; I too left home and journeyed west into Qin.

With my head thrown back, I laughed and strode out the door—how could people like us be mere weeds among the reeds!

A 3,600-word mega chapter. During the new book period, please bookmark and keep reading. I'm so curious—why do other books have so many monthly votes and investments? It feels like I've been playing solo all along...