Chapter 506: Yang Ming Is Missing
Regardless, since Mr. Zhong was being this courteous, the others did not dare to question Shu Xiaolou’s authority. They followed his lead and bowed before her. Quite a few of them mused how young this senior looked, and some were even caught off-guard by her charm.
How preposterous.
Shu Xiaolou disliked such scenes but out of desperation to stop these people from disturbing Lin Jin, she had to reveal herself.
“Little Zhong, it’s alright now. Take them back to the academy,” instructed Shu Xiaolou. Her words however confused Zhong Zifeng. “Senior, the academy’s six-eye six-ear beast suddenly alarmed us that Lecturer Lin was under attack, so we went over to Peach Blossom House to check on the situation. Sure enough, Lecturer Lin wasn’t there and a brief investigation revealed the remnants of spell-casting. That’s why we have banded together and are heading in the direction provided by the six-eye six-ear beast…” explained Zhong Zifeng.
The six-eye six-ear beast was one of the academy’s guardian beasts. Being a Rank 5, it may be unskilled in fighting but had sharp senses due to its multiple eyes and noses.
Hearing this, Shu Xiaolou scoffed, “That little fatty is a massive coward and it was already too late when it noticed the attack. To think it only raised the alarm after the victim was abducted, what a useless little brat! Looks like I’ll have to teach it a lesson one of these days. Maybe I’ll forfeit one month’s worth of its meals.”
Zhong Zifeng flashed her a bitter smile while the other lecturers gasped.
As veteran teachers of the academy, they knew how fiery the six-eye six-ear beast’s temper was. No one dared to provoke it. Otherwise, how else was it able to gain the status of guardian beast in their academy?
And yet, their senior ridiculed it before them by calling it a funny nickname. Still, on second thought, the nickname was appropriate due to how chubby the six-eye six-ear beast was.
“I said it’s alright now. He’ll be able to return to the academy soon. You’re all dismissed,” Shu Xiaolou repeated. Zhong Zifeng said no more and quickly turned to urge the others to follow her instructions.
Just then, Appraiser Yan whispered, “Mr. Zhong, Lecturer Yang Ming suddenly left without warning tonight and his whereabouts are unknown. This shouldn’t have anything to do with Lecturer Lin being attacked, right?”
Before Zhong Zifeng could answer, Shu Xiaolou caught it with her sharp hearing. Surprised, she queried, “What did you just say? Who left without warning?”
Zhong Zifeng immediately replied, “He’s Yang Ming, a lecturer of our academy. Earlier today, during sunset, he departed from the academy without informing us of his whereabouts. According to the academy rules, such actions are prohibited.”
Simply put, the man had broken the academy rules by leaving without permission.
Shu Xiaolou’s first instinct was to link this up with Lin Jin’s ambush. She asked, “How is Yang Ming’s relationship with Lin Jin?”
All teachers were stunned by this question, and what followed was a period of awkward silence.
Everyone knew that Yang Ming and Lin Jin were at odds with each other.
During Lin Jin’s Rank 4 assessment, Lecturer Yang had deliberately made things hard for him. That wasn’t the end of their conflict, as they would later fight over the First Lecture Hall. Everyone in the academy was already aware of this rivalry between Lin Jin and Yang Ming.
Such an incident could never be silenced the moment it started spreading.
At first, no one thought in this direction, but after hearing Shu Xiaolou’s query, their hearts sank. Both incidents had happened too suddenly.
How could they both happen at once?
Lin Jin had been forcefully abducted by magic and Mr. Zhong verified it at the crime scene. However, looks like the incident startled their expert senior, Shu Xiaolou, so Lin Jin was probably rescued by Senior Shu.
Right!
That had to be it!
Zhong Zifeng suddenly recalled Shu Xiaolou asking about ‘Curator’ a little while back. He now knew that Lin Jin was Curator’s disciple. She must’ve become acquainted with Lin Jin for her to come to his rescue.
Then there was Yang Ming. Zhong Zifeng knew of his recent clashes with Lin Jin so could it be Yang Ming who attacked Lin Jin?
Otherwise, why would he leave the academy without prior notification? It seemed like he was trying to escape punishment.
These thoughts assaulted Zhong Zifeng’s mind, and his brows were furrowed. No doubt, he refused to see something like this happen. The lecturers of the academy generally acquiesced to seek common ground while overlooking their differences. After all, not everyone was cast from the same mold, and if they had differing opinions, they would never take it personally, or were they allowed to attack each other.
Such actions were strictly prohibited in the academy.
However, should someone be bold enough to attempt it, Zhong Zifeng wouldn’t let them be either.
‘Perhaps I’ve been too lax in management and allowed too much freedom for our lecturers,’ Zhong Zifeng thought. Now that even Shu Xiaolou’s attention was caught, this issue must be resolved.
He said to Shu Xiaolou, “I understand Senior’s concerns. Please rest assured. I will send someone to track down Lecturer Yang Ming at once and clarify the situation with him. I won’t let this matter be swept under the rug. If someone was indeed trying to cause trouble without regard for the academy’s rules, I, Zhong Zifeng, will not forgive them.”
As he declared the last sentence, Zhong Zifeng’s aura grew increasingly intimidating. His overall demeanor was truly befitting of an influential figure of the academy, and gone was his previously gentle and elegant nature.
At the same time, a beast’s aura surged within his body and although subtle, those who sensed the aura were frightened into silence.
Besides Shu Xiaolou, everyone felt the weight of a mountain pressing down on their shoulders and some even found it difficult to breathe. These lecturers were all Rank 4 beast appraisers. Finally, they could confirm that the rumors about Zhong Zifeng Rank 5 capabilities weren’t baseless after all. Should Zhong Zifeng wish to advance his rank right now, no one would object to it.
Despite Zhong Zifeng’s domineering aura, Shu Xiaolou waved her hand impatiently. “Little Zhong, take care of that once you take them all back. Don’t disturb me here.”
Almost immediately, Zhong Zifeng’s aura dissipated without a trace.
“I will heed Senior’s teachings.” After a bow, Zhong Zifeng led the group away. Before leaving, the rest of the teachers had caught sight of the young lady’s sleeve. Sure enough, there were five rings on the sleeve guard she was wearing.
Looks like the rumor was true.
The academy did have another respected Rank 5 expert. Some even said that Mr. Zhong only refused to advance to Rank 5 because this senior hadn’t been promoted to Rank 6. This was his way of showing respect for her. Otherwise, Mr. Zhong would already have received the title of Rank 5 beast appraiser, just like this junior, and State Preceptor Sima.
After watching them leave, Shu Xiaolou teleported back to Lin Jin’s side.
By now, Lin Jin was almost done contracting his second beast. He, the fire wolf, and the blood ghost had achieved a new balance with Lin Jin being the main supporting pillar. The fire wolf was also able to use its blood contract energy to control and restrain the blood ghost.
The blood ghost had been divided between Lin Jin and the fire wolf. One part merged with Lin Jin to strengthen him physically why the remaining half was absorbed by the fire wolf, allowing the blood ghost to become part of him.
It was Shu Xiaolou’s first time witnessing the execution of such a contract method. Being immensely knowledgeable in the study of pet beasts, she instantly figured out the advantages of this method. No doubt, the person who came up with this idea had to be an absolute prodigy.
Although anxious and excited, Shu Xiaolou willed herself to remain calm.
Meanwhile, Zhong Zifeng and the group who just returned to the academy commenced their investigation at once. Alas, they reached one firm conclusion.
Yang Ming was missing.