At that moment, a mature beauty in a fiery red dress walked past the entrance of Nuoding Academy.
Ning Tian shot a glance at Yu Xiaogang and smirked inwardly, 'Oh, you look down on me, huh? Well, let's see you eat some humble pie while I have a good laugh.'
He finalized his choice.
The system text updated:
[Host: Ning Tian]
[Martial Souls: Azure Bamboo Cloudswarm Sword, Gold Devouring Beetles]
[Soul Power: Level 5]
Ning Tian's little scheme didn't go unnoticed. The gatekeeper, who'd been ogling the beauty, froze in shock.
Holy crap!
Pinned to the woman's left chest was a badge engraved with four swords. The gatekeeper eyed it and mentally gave a thumbs-up.
'Touching a Soul Elder's butt? I don't admire just anyone, but you've got guts!'
"Pervert! Groping me? You're dead!"
The gatekeeper snickered, ready to watch Ning Tian's downfall.
But instead, the beauty whirled around and slapped Yu Xiaogang across the face.
*Slap!*
"Auntie, it really wasn't the Master who touched you, it was him!" Tang San pointed at Ning Tian. The kid's sneaky move hadn't slipped past him.
'You little rat, selling me out? My system's charm isn't something you can compete with. Just wait 'til I deal with you later.' Ning Tian blinked his big, innocent eyes, putting on a pitiful victim act. "Yeah, sister, it was me, I accidentally bumped into you. Please don't blame the Master. He's a good guy. Just now, the gatekeeper tried to shake us down for bribes, saying our martial soul certificates were fake and blocking us from entering. The Master stepped in and offered to take us in for registration."
"Right, right! It wasn't me! Besides, I've been with this kid, Tang San, the whole time, holding his martial soul certificate. How could I have touched you?" Yu Xiaogang frantically waved the certificate in his hand.
Despite his usual cool, detached vibe, Yu Xiaogang was just a coward at heart, big on bullying the weak, useless against the strong. He'd throw his weight around when it was safe, but outside his comfort zone, with no backup, he folded like a cheap tent.
Old Jack and Old Tom, hearing Ning Tian's name, tensed up and were about to beg for mercy.
The gatekeeper's mouth twitched, secretly hoping the beauty would pummel Ning Tian to death. 'Who told him to drag me into this mess?'
But after glancing at the martial soul certificate in Yu Xiaogang's hand, the beauty slapped him again.
This time, everyone caught a faint flicker of pink light in her palm.
Ning Tian knew she meant business now—she'd even used soul power.
*Bang!*
A Soul Elder's soul powered slap sent Yu Xiaogang flying. Blood sprayed from his mouth, and a few teeth went with it.
Tang San's martial soul certificate slipped from Yu Xiaogang's grip, but Tang San snatched it out of the air with quick reflexes.
Tang San shook his head, helpless. Judging by how effortlessly she'd sent Yu Xiaogang soaring, this woman was way out of his league. Even with the hidden silent sleeve arrows up his sleeve, he wouldn't stand a chance. Best not to poke the bear.
Besides, he had no real ties to this 'Master.' Pointing out the truth earlier was already more than enough.
"You've got some nerve, threatening a student to lie for you! I'll beat you to death today, you filthy old creep! Tell me, who groped me just now?"
The beauty's fierce glare locked onto the gatekeeper.
He gulped hard, knowing that if he lied, he'd end up like Yu Xiaogang. So he pointed at the dazed Yu Xiaogang.
Target confirmed. The beauty charged, unleashing a flurry of pink fists on Yu Xiaogang.
These weren't playful love taps, each punch was laced with soul power.
Yu Xiaogang moved hurriedly, clutching his head like a rat in a storm.
The ruckus quickly drew the attention of Nuoding Academy's teachers.
Before long, a few instructors arrived, alerted by students.
The lead teacher, spotting a female Soul Elder pummeling Yu Xiaogang, felt a pang of dread but stepped forward. "Honored Soul Elder, may I ask why you're causing a scene at Nuoding Academy?"
Seeing the teachers, the beauty paused her assault. A red flash pulsed from the pink bracelet on her left arm, and she pulled out a golden document. "I'm the new vice dean of Nuoding Academy. My martial soul is the Dark Fragrance Sword, and I'm a Level 37 Agility Attack System Battle Soul Elder. This is my appointment letter."
As she spoke, two yellow and one purple soul rings rose from her feet. Pink light flared in her right hand, and she gripped a dark red rapier that gave off a faint, sweet scent.
"So, you're vice dean Zhu Qing."
The teachers had been briefed about a new dean of education. Seeing the appointment letter, their respect deepened.
Identity established, Zhu Qing was ready to throw her weight around. "This so called 'Master', is he a teacher here? And what's the deal with this gatekeeper?"
"The Master is part of the academy, but he's not a teacher. As for Little Huo, he's the nephew of the former vice dean, Horton," the lead teacher explained, glancing at the unconscious Yu Xiaogang and the trembling gatekeeper with a sigh.
Zhu Qing snorted. "So, one's a freeloader, and the other's a nepotist hire. One's harassing people on the street, and the other's bullying students, refusing entry without bribes. I don't want to see either of them at this academy ever again."
"Of course, vice dean. We were already planning to fire Horton, student complaints have been piling up. But the Master is a friend of the dean, so…"
Firing the gatekeeper was easy, his backer was gone. But Yu Xiaogang? He had connections.
Zhu Qing frowned. "Then sack the gatekeeper first. From now on, I won't tolerate anyone bullying students."
As vice dean, she wielded serious authority at Nuoding Academy, but she still had to give the dean some face. Beating the snot out of this pathetic 'Master' today was a warning. If he stepped out of line again, she wouldn't hold back.