Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 5: Young Mistress
Previously on Library of Heaven's Path...
"Heard the news? Cao Xiong laoshi just had a duel with the academy's lowest-ranked teacher, Zhang Xuan laoshi!"
"A duel? Then Zhang Xuan laoshi is sure to lose badly!"
"Surprisingly, that didn't happen. Zhang Xuan laoshi triumphed! He simply instructed a student and boosted his strength by one fold!"
"Boosted by one fold? On the first try? Even Lu Xun laoshi couldn't achieve that! You serious?"
"Plenty of people saw it happen, so how could it be fake?"
......
The spectators from the cafeteria showdown chatter about it with fervor.
"Boosting a student's strength by one fold on first guidance?" Zhao Ya sneers. "Pure luck, nothing more!"
Baiyu City ranks as the third largest in Tianxuan Kingdom, and Zhao Ya is its City Lord's daughter. Raised with elite training from childhood, she entered Hongtian Academy aiming to study under Lu Xun.
Yet before she could meet him, rumors claim Lu Xun falls short of Zhang Xuan. Needless to say, she dismisses such nonsense.
"Luck? I doubt it's mere luck. Doubling strength entirely? Luck alone doesn't cut it!" A nearby student chimes in, unable to stay silent.
"You call it no luck? Don't think I don't know that Zhang Xuan laoshi. He's the one who got zero on the Teacher Qualification Exam and nearly lost his job! What skills could a failure like him have? If you doubt me, I'll rip off his mask right here!"
Hot-tempered since youth, Zhao Ya erupts upon hearing praise for the academy's worst teacher.
"Great! We want to see if this teacher is all hot air too!"
Right away, two students rise to their feet.
The trio exits the cafeteria, inquires around, locates Zhang Xuan's classroom, shoves the door open, and strides inside.
"Are you Zhang Xuan laoshi?"
Entering, they spot the young man at the teacher's desk, grinning to himself like a fool. No way does he look like a capable instructor. Instead, he gives them an odd vibe.
"That's me!"
Sensing the newcomers, Zhang Xuan pauses his review of the Library of Heaven's Path and turns to face them.
"We heard you beat Cao Xiong laoshi in a contest, and the student you taught doubled his strength." Zhao Ya speaks, skepticism dripping from her voice. "Fine then. Guide me too, and let's see if you can double mine!"
"I'm busy!"
Zhang Xuan shoos them off.
Teachers hold their own dignity too. They're not entertainers dancing for crowds. Why guide on demand?
Plus, what's with that tone? I don't owe you anything.
"Busy? Aren't you lounging right now?" Zhao Ya spots his brush-off and clenches her teeth in fury.
She boasted to her friends about exposing him, but now he's kicking her out without showing a thing. Humiliating!
"I'm recruiting students. No time to play with a spoiled brat!" Zhang Xuan states flatly.
"You..." Zhao Ya's lovely eyes flash with rage.
As a city lord's daughter with stunning beauty, admiration follows her everywhere. Yet this guy rejects her and calls her a brat. Infuriating!
Teacher or not, that's unacceptable!
"What do we need to do for your guidance?" Clenching her pearly teeth, Zhao Ya demands.
"Take me as your teacher!" Zhang Xuan answers steadily, eyeing Zhao Ya with a strange look.
His idiot-staring gaze makes Zhao Ya stumble. "Fine, I'll take you as teacher. But... if you teach nonsense or spout crap, I'll call you out!"
"Zhao Ya!"
"No way! Becoming his student blocks you from Lu Xun laoshi..."
Her two companions nearly collapse at her agreement and rush to dissuade her.
Hearing their pleas, Zhao Ya wavers.
She knows the rules: once under a teacher, switching requires dropping out first. But top teachers like Lu Xun rarely accept dropouts.
"No courage? Then scram fast. Don't block my student recruitment!" Zhang Xuan dismisses her.
"Who lacks courage?"
Hesitant moments ago, Zhao Ya ignites at his taunt. Frowning, she declares, "I'll become your student now! Let's formalize it!"
"Your attitude stinks. Even if you beg, I won't take you!" Zhang Xuan shoos her again.
Good students like Wang Ying are ideal. This one's a powder keg. Student shortage or not, no dice.
"You..."
Not expecting rejection after swallowing pride, Zhao Ya feels fury surge.
She came to unmask his scam. Storming off now hands him victory.
Maybe he's deliberately driving her away to hide his fraud.
She won't let him win!
"Hmph, I'll swallow my pride first. Once I expose you, you're done!"
With that thought, Zhao Ya reins in her anger. Flashing a smile with pearly whites, she says, "Teacher, forgive my rudeness. I truly want to be your student. Please accept me!"
"Much better!" Pleased by her shift, Zhang Xuan nods. "I'll take you. First, clean this room spotless—no dust allowed. Then, scrub the outside washroom toilets gleaming. I'll inspect. If perfect, you're in!"
"Don't push it!"
Zhao Ya nearly explodes.
What's her status? City lord's noble daughter, never touched chores. Yet he demands room sweeping? Toilet scrubbing?
Crazy?
"Can't handle basics? Leave now. I don't want lazy slackers!" Zhang Xuan declares.
Heh, little miss. Think you can toy with me? Too green!
"Who's lazy? I'll clean! I'll scrub!" Zhao Ya grits out. Snatching broom and mop, she attacks the mess.
"Zhao Ya, let's drop it..."
"He's not legit. He's just messing with you..."
Horrified seeing the city lord's young mistress toil, her friends plead frantically.
"You two wait outside. I, Zhao Ya, never back down. Today, I go all in!" Zhao Ya scowls.
"Well..."
Knowing her stubborn streak, her friends exchange helpless glances.
"Fetch butler Yao—he's here too. If he learns the zero-score teacher makes young mistress scrub toilets, he'll intervene!"
After a shared look, one suggests the plan.
For someone like Zhao Ya, escorts followed despite safe roads. Butler Yao brought her and lingers nearby.
"Yes, find him quick!"
Hesitate not, they bolt from the classroom.
Stubborn as any pampered heiress, Zhao Ya adapts fast to chores despite inexperience. Soon, room shines inside out, washroom gleams.
"Impressive!" Zhang Xuan approves with a nod.
"Satisfied now? Admit me and guide my cultivation!"
Done, Zhao Ya grinds teeth 'luo luo'. Face twisted, she fights urge to deck him.
"Hm, your identity card!"
Ignoring her glare, Zhang Xuan tosses a jade token her way.
Deep breath taken, Zhao Ya drips blood to bind them.
"Zhang laoshi, as your student now, care to offer pointers?"
Objective near—exposing this scum—she tamps excitement and asks.
"Show me your fighting technique first, to assess your basics!" Zhang Xuan gestures.
"Yes!"
No delays, Zhao Ya bows fists cupped, then unleashes her moves.
Huhuhuhu!
Wind roars. Strikes pack power. As a girl, she outpaces Wang Ying in speed and force. Clearly, diligent practice shows.
Watching her perform, Zhang Xuan dives into the library. Sure enough, a tremor drops a book.
'Zhao Ya' graces the cover.
"Zhao Ya, Baiyu City City Lord's daughter. Fighter 1-dan Juxi Realm pinnacle!"
"Cultivation Technique: White Jade Pure Maiden Skill!"
......
Weakness: 27 flaws. No.1, rash temper clashes with White Jade Skill's calm flow, limiting full power. No.2...
As before, the book details Zhao Ya's every cultivation flaw.
Peng! Peng! Peng!
Soon, Zhao Ya finishes the set. Fists clenched, she spins and smashes the classroom's strength-testing rock pillar!
Crack! Numbers flash.
110!
"Solid, solid!" Zhang Xuan nods approvingly.
Such pre-academy fist power marks her as city lord's heir, exceptionally strong.
"Now, point out my issues!"
Unflushed and steady-breathed post-routine, Zhao Ya eyes Zhang Xuan.