Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 1: Swindler

"Swindler! Great swindler!"

A furious bellow echoes through the air, accompanied by the hurried patter of footsteps fleeing across the bluestone pavement.

Helplessly spreading both hands, Zhang Xuan says, "I'm not a swindler. I'm a teacher at the academy... I just want to take you as my student! Plus, do you really have to call me a 'great' swindler? It makes me sound like some unforgivable villain..."

Finishing his grumble, he remembers the director's words, "This is already the 17th one! If I can't recruit a student today, I'll have to pack up and leave tomorrow!"

Zhang Xuan doesn't belong to this world; he was simply an ordinary high school librarian. He recalls raging flames, and then... nothing more. Upon awakening, he found himself in this realm.

This realm mirrors those in novels, where martial arts rule supreme and the mighty dominate all!

At first, he figured that after crossing over, he'd be a wasted talent dumped by his fiancée. Then, he'd rise up, slap faces left and right, and sail smoothly ever after... Turns out, he overthought it. Upon arrival, he discovered he wasn't a student but a... teacher!

The most pitiful teacher in the whole academy!

Other teachers' classes brim with eager crowds, many left standing without seats. Yet, not a soul shows up for his. He barely lured in a few students, only for them to brand him a 'swindler' and bolt away!

The cause? Aside from the original owner of this body being the academy's weakest teacher, unable to spot talent, the real issue was... he once misguided a student, sending their cultivation into chaos!

It's like having a fatality on your record! His name became mud, scorned by all. Even freshmen steer clear, terrified of suffering the same fate in his grasp.

His dismal record and empty classroom plunged him to dead last in last year's Teacher Qualification Examination across the academy. He even claimed the unprecedented, sole zero score in its history.

Drowning sorrows in booze out of despair, he finally perished as desired, handing the body over to Zhang Xuan.

At the new term's start, the academy delivered an ultimatum: fail to enlist even one student for his classes this year, and lose his teaching credentials!

Today alone, seventeen freshmen passed his door. But upon hearing his name, they all fled like maidens spotting a creepy stranger, dashing off as fast as legs could carry.

"I guess I need to find a way to trick one into staying!"

Still pondering recruitment tactics, he spots a girl's head peeking in at the doorway, her face blank with confusion.

"Excuse me, is this Teacher Lu Xun's classroom?"

Cute and refined in looks, her voice carries a sweet charm.

Teacher Lu Xun stands as the academy's star instructor. His sessions always overflow, drawing countless applicants lured by his renown.

"I'll snag her!" Eyes gleaming at the prey entering his snare, Zhang Xuan decides.

Drawing on suave poses from his past life, he settles calmly into his chair, exuding the aura of a sage master, "You wish to study under him?"

The girl nods eagerly, her dark eyes sparkling with awe, "I've heard Teacher Lu Xun is Hongtian Academy's finest teacher. Every student he instructs becomes exceptional, and joining his class is a true privilege!"

"Rumors don't always match reality. Teachers are like shoes—fit matters most! No matter how brilliant his lectures, if they don't align with your cultivation techniques, progress stalls and power might even decline! Even an obscure teacher, if his methods match yours, lets you surge ahead with skyrocketing cultivation!"

"Really... My elder brother mentioned something similar!" The girl pauses, doubt flickering in her lovely gaze. "But I don't know what lessons would fit me!"

Sensing she's biting, Zhang Xuan's eyes shine. He pauses dramatically as visions of sages like Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels flicker in mind. Feigning reluctance, he offers, "Our encounter feels fated. Here's an idea: I'm an academy teacher too. Let me assess your bones, talent, and temperament, then point you to the right teacher!"

"Thank you for the trouble, sir!" Surprised by this random teacher's generosity, the girl nods vigorously with excitement.

"Show me your cultivation first!"

Eyes half-lidded, Zhang Xuan adopts an air of nonchalance.

"Yes!"

Huuuuuuuuuuu!

Instantly, the room howls with the force of her strike. Ripples of spiritual energy swirl around her form. Rather than scattering, it condenses—potent yet restrained—revealing her rock-solid foundation.

"Enough. I see you've trained tirelessly with unwavering effort. Your base is firm, your talent elite. You're a rare prodigy!" As she completes her routine, Zhang Xuan nods approvingly.

Mimicking Earth's street fortune-tellers, his vague praises allow broad interpretation. Listeners find no holes, only marveling at his pinpoint accuracy.

"Your legs especially hold dragon-like power, surging like wild rivers with every step. With diligent practice ahead, your path will shine brightly..."

"Teacher, my leg's hurt. The physician called it ruined..." Suspicion clouds her eyes as the girl cuts in.

"Injured..." Zhang Xuan's face flushes, but his thick skin hides it. He presses on smoothly, "Think I couldn't notice? I saw it right when you powered up! I mentioned it because... from ruin comes renewal! Though wounded, you've gained an unforeseen boon. Seize it right, and your leg arts will become your ultimate weapon—others will envy you!"

He's just scamming her anyway. If bluster works, he'll bluster. Priority: land a disciple first.

"Opportunity? Teacher, what opportunity?" Her eyes ignite with hope.

Her leg injury had left her feeling lesser, plagued by insecurity. To think misfortune hid such luck!

"This chance can launch you straight to the top among freshmen. With your prodigious gifts—a historic genius—it's no sweat. However..." Zhang Xuan spins his tale endlessly, nearly pulling out a 'Buddha's Palm' scroll.

TL: Kungfu Hustle

Hearing she's a genius set to top the freshmen, her cheeks flush as she presses, "However what?"

"However..." Zhang Xuan sighs mournfully, as if mourning a buried gem. "Few teachers here can spot this potential! Counting me, just three. The other two quit taking students three years back, so... I can't easily approach them either..."

"Quit accepting?" Hope surges then dims on her face. Suddenly recalling something, she blurts, "They're closed to students, but teacher—are you open?"

"Naturally. Though as you see, I shun fame and wealth, with little time to give!" Difficulty etches his features. "Only prime material gets my nod, even if fate brings it..."

Putong!

Before he finishes, she drops to her knees and kowtows, "I know you're lofty, sir, but please take me as your student! I'll cultivate fiercely to honor you!"

Joy floods Zhang Xuan inwardly, though his expression stays reluctant, "There's fate here, but... you see, I crave quiet..."

"As your student, I swear not to disturb you except in crisis!" Spotting his hesitation, she nods solemnly, sincerity shining.

"I have few students, so my resources pale against others'. Plus, you'll face criticism..." Zhang Xuan persists.

"I see... I heard resources matter greatly for cultivation..." She wavers.

A teacher's academy allocations tie to student count, achievements, and more. Scant supplies hinder progress.

"Cough cough, that was just a test. Your resolve and sincerity convince me—I'll grudgingly accept you!" Catching her doubt, Zhang Xuan cuts in, "Your identity card!"

"So... so fast?"

Stunned by his page-turner speed, the girl gapes as she takes his identity token. Debating the bond, she watches reticent Teacher Zhang seize her hand, slice it with a ready dagger. A blood drop hits the jade.

Weng!

Light erupts.

"Ah...."

The girl stares, bewildered.

Didn't he need careful thought? Indifferent to fame? Yet his moves are lightning-quick, dagger prepped?

"You're my student now!" Blood-verified, Zhang Xuan relaxes with a sigh, resuming his transcendent pose, "What's your name?"

"Teacher, I'm Wang Ying!"

Irrevocable now, she accepts and nods.

"Good. Use your token for bedding, books, and dorms. Classes start tomorrow—meet here!"

Zhang Xuan waves dismissively.

"Yes!" Wang Ying nods and departs.

"Huu! Finally tricked one in!"

Confirming her as his student, Zhang Xuan exhales in relief, grinning.

No easy feat. Without net-surfed cool-guy tricks from before, today's win would've slipped away.

One student averts expulsion doom. The weight lifts from his heart, spirits soaring as a brain-lingering fixation fades.

"Rest assured, with me in your body, I'll live it right for you!"

The prior Zhang Xuan died studentless, regrets burning. Now with one under him, that last knot unravels. He fully claims the body.

Boom!

Body mastered, Zhang Xuan eyes more recruits. But a head-throb hits, ancient bells tolling within.

"The heaven and earth are callous, treating all beings like dogs..."

"The sun sets and the moon wanes, an imperfection appears in the heaven and earth..."

Boom!

Profound sayings dizzy him. Then, a colossal palace manifests in his mind, four radiant words blazing:

Library of Heaven’s Path!

Door swings open; he enters. Endless shelves tower, laden with books stretching beyond sight.

"Transmigrator's starter pack? A library? Damn, I was a librarian before. Don't tell me I'm stuck as one here too!"

Others get grandpa mentors, systems, god-tier gear. Mine's books? Darkness swims; he nearly blacks out.

Library for battles? Foes hurl swords, I toss tomes?

"Let's check these books."

Resigned, Zhang Xuan grabs at a shelf to probe its secrets. His hand ghosts through, clutching nothing.

"Toying with me? A library I can't touch or read—what's the point?"

Speechless, tears well but won't fall.

TL note: Emperor Haotian is a supreme deity of the Han tribe who governs everything under the teachings of Confucianism