Chapter 98 – The Genius Controversy
"Shizun, Senior Sister Xin said the deans of Dan Yuan and Fu Yuan came looking for you." Ye Shi narrowed his eyes, staring sharply at Jing Chiyan.
Jing Chiyan leaned lazily on the rocking chair and said casually, "Yeah! They've both been here already."
Unfortunately, those two are still the deans of Dan Yuan and Fu Yuan. When they came, they were sneaky and shameless. Truly no dignity!
"Senior Sister said... you accepted a lot of gifts from them." Ye Shi looked at Jing Chiyan with suspicion.
Jing Chiyan smiled and said, "This shizun has a soft heart. It's hard to reject the goodwill of others—especially when it comes in the form of a big pile of primal stones! I just couldn't refuse. If something is delivered to your door, why turn it down? Dan Yuan and Fu Yuan are wealthy anyway—taking a bit from them is nothing."
Heaven knows that the salary from Saint Star Academy is meager. His wallet isn't as full as his own disciple's.
"Shizun, you didn't reveal anything, did you?" Ye Shi frowned, clearly worried.
Jing Chiyan snorted, "Relax, I didn't reveal Mu Chen's actual plans. But your shizun doesn't lie—I'm not good at lying."
Ye Shi nodded and said, "Alright."
Jing Chiyan put his hands behind his back. Those two old guys from Dan Yuan and Fu Yuan see each other as mortal enemies, yet neither of them knows Mu Chen is secretly planning to walk the plank bridge and sneak through Chen Cang's path. When Mu Chen ends up choosing the Inscription Academy... it'll be too late. I look forward to their reactions when they realize it.
Speaking of which, Xia Qingyan—the Dean of the Inscription Academy—and Xia Qingli, the Deputy Dean, are sisters. I wonder what Mu Chen's real motive is for choosing the Inscription Academy...
"Shi Tou, is Mu Chen planning to sell the Flame Talisman rune?" Jing Chiyan asked with mild curiosity.
Ye Shi shook his head and replied seriously, "No. Mu Chen said it's like a chicken that lays golden eggs. He doesn't intend to kill the chicken just to get the eggs."
Jing Chiyan raised a brow in surprise. "But he's already killed the chicken for eggs before—he sold both the Beast Spirit Pill and the Beast Spirit Elixir."
Ye Shi nodded. "That's because, back then, the chicken had trouble laying eggs, and Mu Chen was really poor. He urgently needed primal stones. But now he's rich, and he said the Flame Talisman chicken lays eggs really well—it'd be a pity to kill it."
Jing Chiyan narrowed his eyes. "But he's working alone. It won't be easy to keep control of the Flame Talisman."
Ye Shi nodded. "That's why he wants to give you the exclusive rights to sell the Flame Talisman, shizun. The revenue would be split thirty-seven."
"You mean I get three, and you two get seven?" Jing Chiyan raised a brow, amused.
Ye Shi shook his head and looked displeased. "Shizun, you're too greedy. We get seven—you get three."
Jing Chiyan: "..."
"Mu Chen really said that?" Jing Chiyan stared directly at Ye Shi, as if seeing right through him.
Ye Shi smiled awkwardly and mumbled, "Actually... Mu Chen said fifty-fifty."
Jing Chiyan rolled his eyes. He knew his little disciple was biased toward Mu Chen.
"Mhm, how about we split it two and two?" Ye Shi lifted two fingers hopefully.
Jing Chiyan scoffed. Ye Shi still dared to suggest that—if they took 70%, then 35% each would be more than his 30%. What a joke! He's a Martial King! How could he get the smallest share?
"You two together don't even add up to half my age, yet you dare to bargain like hungry lions," Jing Chiyan said, annoyed.
Ye Shi tilted his head away, unimpressed.
"Fine. I'll give you face—sixty-forty. You two get sixty, I'll take forty," Jing Chiyan said. Mu Chen originally offered fifty-fifty, so he gave 10% to Ye Shi as a show of favor.
Ye Shi nodded, though still looking a bit reluctant. "Alright."
"Disciple, don't act like you've lost something huge—you're getting a ton of money, you know!" Jing Chiyan said, rolling his eyes. Mu Chen has the talent, but no backing. Without support, there's no way he could keep the Flame Talisman to himself.
"Shizun, you're the one who's gaining big here." Ye Shi pouted.
"Alright, alright. Win-win," Jing Chiyan nodded.
Although he was strong, Jing Chiyan didn't have any specialty skills and often burned through money cultivating, so his funds were always tight.
Originally, he thought Mu Chen was just good at making money, but it seems like the kid's really smart about managing profits too. If things continue like this, maybe he'll be borrowing money from his disciples in the future...
Soon, the scheduled transfer day arrived, and all students were summoned to the square.
Yingui appeared to request that students who wanted to transfer submit their application forms.
Seeing Mu Chen step out from the crowd, Song Cheng suddenly panicked. Just as he was about to move, Lu Han blocked him.
"Brother Song, admit your loss gracefully—you can't go pulling tricks now!" Lu Han said with a bright smile, firmly holding Song Cheng back.
"Let me go, you shameless thing! You must've pulled something behind the scenes!" Song Cheng shouted angrily.
Lu Han sighed helplessly and looked at Song Cheng with sympathy. "Brother Song, don't wrong me. I didn't do anything—this was Mu Chen's choice. You should know that alchemy is far more attractive than talismans."
"Bullshit." Song Cheng's face darkened.
He glared at Jing Chiyan. That damned Jing Chiyan! That shameless liar—he took his gifts and betrayed him.
Seeing Song Cheng's bloodshot glare, Jing Chiyan felt a bit guilty. And under Lu Han's grateful gaze, he felt even guiltier.
"Shizun, Dean Song looks like he wants to murder someone." Ye Shi said gleefully beside Jing Chiyan.
Jing Chiyan smiled faintly. "A clean conscience fears no crooked shadow. Your shizun never lied. It was their poor judgment—who can they blame?"
"Shizun, you're... really kind," Ye Shi said, tilting his head.
Jing Chiyan sighed and muttered, "Soon enough, the next gaze will be even more terrifying than Song Cheng's."
Ye Shi nodded seriously. "True. Shizun, you're doomed."
After Mu Chen filled out the transfer form, he walked away.
Seeing him finish, Lu Han finally released Song Cheng.
"Dean Song, be gracious in defeat. As the saying goes, forced melons aren't sweet—we should respect the students' decisions," Lu Han said kindly.
Song Cheng gritted his teeth and growled, "Just wait and see!"
"Did you find Mu Chen's application?" Lu Han turned to ask Yan Wu.
Yan Wu frowned. "I searched everywhere—it's not here."
Lu Han's brows furrowed. "That's impossible. He clearly filled it in."
"I know! I looked twice. It's really not here," Yan Wu said, confused.
At some point, Song Cheng appeared beside Lu Han and mocked, "Did your precious Dan Yuan mess up and send Mu Chen's application to another department?"
Lu Han's face turned dark. He began to doubt—was someone interfering again? Or did Mu Chen change his mind?
"I found it!" Xia Qingli raised a form.
Xia Qingyan leaned forward and confirmed, "That's right—it's him."
Although the two had guessed Mu Chen might choose the Inscription Academy, seeing it with their own eyes was still shocking.
There had never been a third-level alchemy genius or talisman master who chose the Inscription Academy.
Let alone someone who was a dual third-level master.
"Wow! Mu Chen's application!" A teacher beside Xia Qingyan blurted out.
Her expression changed instantly. As soon as the words were spoken, all eyes turned toward them.
Xia Qingyan wanted to sew the tutor's mouth shut. He quickly realized he'd caused trouble and covered his mouth—but it was too late.
Lu Han rushed over. "Where's Mu Chen's form?"
Xia Qingyan rose slowly. "Right here. Why should I hand it over to you?"
"What do you mean? Of course you should!" Lu Han argued.
"You're mistaken. We're not as sloppy as your Fu Yuan," she retorted.
Lu Han was baffled. "Why... would he choose the Inscription Academy?"
Xia Qingyan smiled, "Who knows? Maybe he fell in love with inscriptions."
Lu Han lunged forward to grab the form, but Xia Qingyan dodged neatly.
"Dean Lu, you can clearly see—Mu Chen applied to our Inscription Academy. Forced melons aren't sweet. If Mu Chen doesn't want alchemy, don't push it," she said flatly.
Song Cheng, watching from the side, suddenly felt amused. Just moments ago, Lu Han was mocking him—now he was being humiliated.
Lu Han clenched his teeth, staring at that glaring "Inscription Academy" label on the form.
His gaze shifted to Jing Chiyan. That bastard! He had even thanked him earlier!
Jing Chiyan stood with his arms crossed and a perfectly innocent expression.
Lu Han suddenly realized: Damn it, Jing Chiyan knew all along. He never said Mu Chen would choose Dan Yuan—only that he wouldn't stay in Fu Yuan. They were both played.
Lu Han glanced at Song Cheng—they had both been tricked the same way.
That bastard Jing Chiyan probably used the same scheme on them both.
Jing Chiyan crossed his arms, watching the chaos with a faint smile. "Look at Lu Han's green face—such a rare sight."
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