Mo Fan wasn’t surprised that Grand Tutor Zhang would ask for his help, but he hadn’t expected the man to request only his and Teacher Wang’s escape.
This meant abandoning the hundred-plus children in the academy, as well as Fang Ru.
Mo Fan had held high hopes for Grand Tutor Zhang, but now he was utterly disappointed.
How could someone with such character be worthy of the title of Great Scholar?
Yet he didn’t show it on his face, instead asking with a smile, “Is Grand Tutor Zhang joking with me? Do you mean for me to abandon these children and Fang Ru, and take only you two?”
Grand Tutor Zhang’s gaze flickered, glancing at Fang Ru, who was being comforted by the children, and said in a low voice, “Young Master Mo is correct. That’s exactly what I mean. I know cultivators like you can ride clouds and mist, but too many people would be a burden. Just take me and Teacher Wang, and it’ll be much easier for you. Of course, if necessary, taking only me would suffice.”
Teacher Wang was stunned, exclaiming, “Grand Tutor Zhang?”
“Don’t worry, Old Wang. Once I’m free, I’ll seek out the Song family’s immortal ancestor. I hear he’s doing well on Three Saints Island, already a fearsome Core Formation cultivator. I’ll tell him of the Song Kingdom’s plight, and he’ll lead an army of cultivators to slay these demons and rescue you,” Grand Tutor Zhang said with a smile.
“This…” Teacher Wang fell silent, then gritted his teeth. “But I still want to leave with you.”
“What, Old Wang, don’t you trust me?” Grand Tutor Zhang’s brow furrowed.
“No… it’s not that, it’s just…” Teacher Wang stammered.
“Then it’s settled. Young Master Mo will escort me out of the capital. Once I seek help from the Song family’s ancestor, I’ll come back for you,” Grand Tutor Zhang interrupted, leaving Teacher Wang speechless and Mo Fan dumbfounded.
Settled? Mo Fan hadn’t even agreed.
“Young Master Mo, I know this is sudden, but I assure you, if you can get me out of this capital, out of the southern frontier, and across the sea to Three Saints Island, I’ll reward you handsomely,” Grand Tutor Zhang said earnestly.
“Hahaha!” Mo Fan burst into laughter.
His unrestrained laugh drew the attention of the children and Fang Ru.
“A mere mortal promising me a grand reward? Grand Tutor Zhang, you’re spinning quite the tale,” Mo Fan sneered, incredulous that Zhang was trying to manipulate him, which was both absurd and amusing.
This old man would do anything to survive.
Mo Fan’s words were like a slap, making Grand Tutor Zhang’s face flush red and white. He hadn’t expected Mo Fan to call him out so bluntly, and he cursed inwardly.
“Mo Fan, what’s going on?” Fang Ru approached, her brow furrowed as she looked at him.
“How did you meet this Grand Tutor Zhang? And you, Teacher Wang, how can you be sure his identity is genuine?” Mo Fan asked with a smile, looking at a puzzled Fang Ru. “Do you know what Grand Tutor Zhang just said to me? This esteemed Grand Tutor asked me to take him alone and flee this place. Isn’t that laughable?”
Fang Ru’s expression shifted at the word “alone,” grasping its implications. She turned to Grand Tutor Zhang, demanding, “Grand Tutor, is what Mo Fan said true? To save yourself, you’d abandon these children?”
Grand Tutor Zhang’s face darkened, but he quickly smiled, “How could that be? Little Ru, you know my status. Your father once sought my help to secure your eligibility for the imperial exams. I wanted to assist, but your family lacked the necessary influence. Here in the capital, I helped you because you’re my former student. You should know my character. How could I do something so unjust?”
His words silenced Fang Ru, who instinctively looked at Mo Fan.
But then Teacher Wang burst into laughter, pointing at Grand Tutor Zhang and cursing, “What character? You fat Zhang, didn’t you just say you’d take me along? Now you’ve changed your tune so quickly? To get Mo Fan to take you, you’d even abandon me. You’re truly despicable. I starved myself, even skimping on the children’s food, to keep you fed, and now you betray me? Grand Tutor? I spit on that. If someone like you can be Grand Tutor, then the court’s officials must all be corrupt, plundering the nation’s wealth. The Song Kingdom’s fall was no injustice. None at all!”
Teacher Wang laughed maniacally, then ran toward the gate.
“Teacher Wang!” Fang Ru cried out, but a loud “bang” followed as his head slammed into the gate.
Blood splattered, and Teacher Wang fell dead.
“Ah!” The children were terrified, some girls screaming, prompting Fang Ru to comfort them.
Grand Tutor Zhang was also shaken but soon turned away, sneering dismissively at the children glaring at him.
“Young Master Mo, well done. You’ve easily rid me of an ungrateful fool, saving me the trouble,” Grand Tutor Zhang said, steadying himself and looking at Mo Fan. “You may not know, but my ancestors had ties with the Song family’s immortal ancestor, which secured my family’s wealth for three generations. If you take me safely to Three Saints Island, the Song ancestor will surely reward you generously. He might even take you as a disciple.”
Mo Fan rolled his eyes, digging at his ear, and glanced toward the gate. A wisp of black smoke, barely visible, drifted from Teacher Wang’s body, flying toward a shadowy corner and merging into a black-robed figure.
“Master, our cover’s blown. We need to leave. They’ve sent word to the five Demon Kings in the palace,” White Robe’s voice transmitted to Mo Fan.
Mo Fan nodded, then looked at Grand Tutor Zhang, still spinning his promises, and smiled, “Since Grand Tutor Zhang wishes me to take you away, I’ll do so.”
“Really?” Grand Tutor Zhang was overjoyed, thinking to himself, “As expected, even cultivators are human, swayed by enough profit. Once I escape the southern frontier, I’ll be free as a bird. I might even learn immortal arts from the Song ancestor. As for this Young Master Mo, his fate won’t be up to him then.”
Unaware of Zhang’s thoughts, Mo Fan didn’t care, nodding with a smile.
Then he turned to Fang Ru, saying gravely, “Things have changed. We need to leave the city now. Come with me.”
“I… I’m not going,” Fang Ru glanced at the children, pursing her lips stubbornly.
“You don’t have a choice,” Mo Fan frowned, unwilling to explain further as he sensed five terrifying auras erupting from the palace.
He opened his mouth and, with a powerful inhale, drew Fang Ru and the children into his storage pouch.
Then he grabbed Grand Tutor Zhang by the back of his neck, lifting him like a chick.
“Let’s go!” Mo Fan commanded, black wings unfurling behind him as he shot into the sky.
White Robe and Black Robe followed.
“Master, wait for me!” A cloud of ghostly mist rose from a distance, chasing after them.
“You dare impersonate a Demon King? Such audacity!”
“None of you will escape!”
