Rumors about the so-called Trash Teacher had spread everywhere.
Even before entering the academy, one would hear them endlessly.
They said he was ignorant and incompetent.They said he misled the youth.They said he didn't understand cultivation at all, couldn't teach martial skills, and ruined students.
In short—every kind of slander imaginable.
According to the rumors, any student who got involved with him would be lucky to only suffer Qi deviation. In the worst cases, they might even lose their lives.
Zheng Yang and Mo Xiao had heard all of this before coming to the academy. That was why they had been cautious, solemn, and wary.
And yet…
The aloof, unfathomable, expert-like teacher standing before them now—
was the very same Trash Teacher of legend.
"Teacher…" Zheng Yang hesitated, unable to hold back any longer."With your ability, why… why are you called that?"
Zhang Xuan sighed softly.
He turned his gaze forty-five degrees upward, eyes filled with sorrow, regret, and a sense of being misunderstood by the world—like a lonely expert standing above the clouds.
"The world is jealous of talent," he said calmly."That's all."
His expression was perfect.
Internally, however, he was muttering to himself.
With my former moral character, getting a zero was already mercy.
Seeing his teacher's "lonely and unrecognized" demeanor, Zheng Yang felt deeply moved.
"I'm willing to clear your name, Teacher!" he said earnestly.
"No need," Zhang Xuan waved his hand magnanimously."Reputation is unimportant. Cultivate properly. That will be enough."
"Take your identity tokens, gather your bedding, and attend class on time tomorrow. Don't be late."
"Yes!"
Zheng Yang pulled Mo Xiao away, the two leaving together.
"Four students."
As they disappeared, excitement flashed through Zhang Xuan's eyes.
Liu Yang.Wang Ying.That arrogant yet troublesome eldest miss Zhao Ya.And now—Zheng Yang, a rare spear-technique talent.
He had expected to struggle just to keep his position.
Instead, he had gained four students in a single day.
"Unfortunately…"
Zhang Xuan sighed.
"I'm out of identity tokens."
The academy issued these tokens uniformly. Because his reputation had been so bad, he had originally only been given four—on the assumption that he would never use them all.
If more students came now, he wouldn't even be able to accept them.
So he stood up and left his classroom.
The sun blazed overhead.
Heat shimmered beneath the shade of the trees, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
On the academy streets, new students and senior disciples mingled together. The newcomers were filled with excitement; the seniors wore smiles that hinted at future "guidance" for their juniors.
After walking for a while, a large building appeared ahead.
Three bold characters hung above the entrance:
Logistics Department
This was where teacher status tokens were issued.
Just as Zhang Xuan approached, a mocking voice rang out.
"Well, if it isn't our Star Teacher! Why leave your classroom and come here?"
Zhang Xuan raised his head.
A massive figure came into view—at least three or four hundred jin, nearly as wide as he was tall, like a walking meatball.
Qian Biao.
The name surfaced in his memory.
A logistics teacher with a vicious temper, notorious for exploiting others and skimming benefits. Because Zhang Xuan was ranked last and had little to offer, he had long been targeted and mocked.
The fact that Zhang Xuan had only received four identity tokens back then?
This man's handiwork.
"What?" Qian Biao sneered."Don't tell me you used up all your tokens and came to return them?"
"I used them all," Zhang Xuan replied calmly."I'm here to get more."
"Used them all?!"
Qian Biao burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Everyone come look! Our zero-score teacher claims he used up his tokens!"
"This is the funniest joke I've heard all year!"
"I remember you only had four!"
"Used up? By you?"
"What a dream!"
Teachers from the logistics department gathered, all staring at Zhang Xuan with contempt.
"A zero-score teacher receiving students? Ridiculous."
"If this doesn't get him expelled, nothing will."
Zhang Xuan smiled faintly.
"Oh? Since you think I'm bragging—how about a bet?"
"A bet?" Qian Biao sneered."With what? You're poor as dirt. You don't have anything worth gambling!"
Zhang Xuan raised his eyelids slightly.
"I'm not betting resources."
"I'm betting—face."
"If you lose, you let me slap you three times. Publicly."
"If I lose, I'll let you slap me three times."
"Do you dare?"
"Slap the face?"
Qian Biao froze.
Face-slapping—especially by the academy's Trash Teacher—would be utter humiliation.
But the surrounding teachers immediately jeered.
"What are you afraid of? You know his level!"
"A zero-score teacher receiving students? Impossible!"
"Bet with him!"
Confidence surged.
"Fine!" Qian Biao said coldly."I accept!"
Zhang Xuan turned his gaze to the other teachers.
"You all mocked me just now. Care to join?"
The three teachers laughed.
"Why not? My face is itchy anyway."
"I'm in."
"Zero-score trash acting tough? Seeking death."
All three agreed without hesitation.
In their eyes, Zhang Xuan's loss was already guaranteed.
What they didn't know—
was that today, the face-slapping festival had just begun.