Chapter 342: Get Out Of Here

The lecture concluded with great success. News of this quickly spread to Red Flag High School. When the students heard the news, they were immediately filled with excitement.

"This is great news!"

"If such a big figure becomes our honorary acting principal, will we get more resources?"

"If Old Su can give us some guidance, with my talent, wouldn't I soar to new heights?"

In the school's combat team, Bai Qiqi, Bai Longfei, and others were visibly excited. Li Xiaofei, however, remained silent. He was beginning to understand Chen Fei’s decision a bit more.

People like Su Yuncao, who wielded both power and influence and had countless connections, could indeed control the situation at will, making them a formidable force that ordinary people could not easily challenge.

"Little Li, why aren’t you happy?" Bai Longfei nudged Li Xiaofei with his shoulder and asked, "Are you worried that when Old Su arrives, he’ll discover a genius like me, devote himself to cultivating me, and then I’ll steal your thunder?"

Li Xiaofei glanced at him and said, "As long as you're happy."

He turned and walked away.

"Huh?" Bai Longfei watched Li Xiaofei’s departing figure in confusion, "Little Li seems a bit off today."

Fang Buyi agreed, "He does seem a little different."

Bai Qiqi and Rendong exchanged glances. Yan Chiyu stood by, deep in thought.

***

As soon as Li Xiaofei exited the school gate, he saw a car waiting outside.

Gao Changlin, the head of the Education Department, rolled down the back window and greeted him, "Brother, get in."

Li Xiaofei opened the door and got in. The car smoothly started to speed toward the Starry Sky Hotel.

"Brother, you’ve put me in quite a tough spot," Gao Changlin said with a wry smile. "Do you know who Zhang Deyi, the guy you hit two days ago, really is?"

Li Xiaofei asked calmly, "Who?"

Gao Changlin sighed, "He's close to Old Su... Zhang Deyi is Old Su’s distant nephew."

"A distant nephew can cause the head of a city’s Education Department this much trouble?" Li Xiaofei replied indifferently. "I thought he was a head of state’s son."

"You... ah, brother, you really are as fearless as a newborn calf in front of a tiger," Gao Changlin said, both amused and frustrated. "There’s an old saying, 'A local official holds more sway than a distant one,' and another one, 'The king of hell is easy to see, but the little devils are hard to deal with.' For people like us, Old Su is far more terrifying than the Great Xia’s head of state."

Li Xiaofei smiled without responding.

Gao Changlin continued, "Don’t underestimate him. Old Su served as the head of the Xiajing Education Department for twelve years and has nurtured talents far and wide. His connections reach everywhere. Even though he’s retired now, his words still carry immense weight. A simple sentence from him could easily decide the fate of low-level officials like me."

When he saw Li Xiaofei sneer dismissively, Gao Changlin added, "He’s now the vice president of Beixia University and one of the best educational experts in the field. Just a casual remark from him could determine the fate of a talented student. He’s not someone you can afford to offend."

Li Xiaofei asked, "He can decide my fate with just a word?"

"Absolutely," Gao Changlin replied. "All he has to do is say, 'This student’s potential is exhausted, there’s no room for further growth,' or something like, 'This student’s physique is weak and unfit for development.' With that, half your future is destroyed. The prestigious schools that once waved admission letters at you would suddenly lose all interest."

Li Xiaofei asked, "And his words are like gospel?"

Gao Changlin nodded, "That’s what makes him an expert."

An expert. Heh.

Li Xiaofei had grown somewhat allergic to the term expert.

He said mockingly, "Aren’t they afraid of being proven wrong? What if a student they deem talentless suddenly rises against all odds and becomes a strong figure? Wouldn’t that be quite amusing?"

Gao Changlin chuckled, "That’s never happened."

"Never?" Li Xiaofei was a bit surprised.

There’s always an exception. Nothing in the world is absolutely certain.

Gao Changlin’s expression became mysterious. He shot Li Xiaofei a meaningful look and said, "If there is an exception, the experts will make sure it disappears."

Li Xiaofei quickly caught on. The way experts operated five hundred years ago was exactly how they operate today.

"No wonder Great Xia’s national strength has been declining with parasites like him in the education system," Li Xiaofei remarked coldly.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Hush, be careful with your words," Gao Changlin was startled and hastily warned him, "Brother Li, I’m telling you all this to advise you to tone down that bad habit of flipping the table whenever something doesn’t sit right with you. When you meet Old Su later, don’t confront him head-on. Otherwise, there’ll be serious trouble."

Li Xiaofei responded calmly, "You think I’d be afraid of him?"

Gao Changlin leaned in carefully and said quietly, "Brother Li, I know you well enough by now. You like to break through challenges with brute force. In Liuhe Base City, your strength in the Five Spirits Realm lets you move unhindered. But do you know what realm Old Su is in? He’s in the Dao Union Realm! The tactics you’ve used so successfully in the past won’t work on someone like Old Su. Don’t act impulsively."

Li Xiaofei remained silent. He had already looked up Su Yuncao’s background in the Great Xia Dragon Group’s database. He knew that Su Yuncao was a powerful figure in the Dao Union Realm. But sheer strength alone doesn’t decide everything. Li Xiaofei simply didn’t believe in bowing to authority.

Moments later, the car pulled into the parking lot of the Starry Sky Hotel. After stepping out, Gao Changlin led Li Xiaofei all the way to the temporary headquarters of the Beixia University recruitment team.

As one of the most prestigious schools in Great Xia, Beixia University had spared no expense and rented out an entire floor of the Starry Sky Hotel as their temporary base. Su Yuncao was staying in the top suite on this floor.

"Old Su specifically asked to see you, so be on your best behavior," Gao Changlin reminded Li Xiaofei uneasily as they approached the door. He had sensed that Li Xiaofei harbored some hostility toward the famous national educator, which worried him deeply.

They knocked and entered. Inside, the sound of laughter filled the room. City leader Xie Renyu was there, chatting and laughing with several professors from the recruitment team. The atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious.

"Li Xiaofei," Xie Renyu nodded in acknowledgment when he saw him.

At that moment, a young female professor walked over and said, "Old Su is waiting for you in the study. You can go in by yourself."

Li Xiaofei walked up to the study’s door.

Knock, knock.

"Come in." A smooth and mellow voice called out.

Li Xiaofei pushed the door open, entering before quietly closing it behind him. The study had a traditional, elegant aesthetic, with scrolls and antiques carefully arranged on display shelves. The room exuded a scholarly charm.

Su Yuncao stood up from behind his desk with a warm smile when he saw Li Xiaofei. "Finally, Li Xiaofei is here. Please, have a seat. I’ve heard a lot about your achievements back in Xiajing. Truly, heroes emerge at a young age."

Li Xiaofei, however, remained standing. He fixed a sharp gaze on the elder before him, scrutinizing him closely. The man was tall and lean, with graying hair and a ruddy complexion. Su Yuncao’s eyes were steady and carried a sense of gravity. He naturally exuded a dignified yet refined aura, while his smile gave the impression of a gentle spring breeze.

If Li Xiaofei hadn’t already known that this man had stolen the research of his former principal, he might have been inclined to feel respect for such a venerable elder at first glance.

"I'm not sitting down," Li Xiaofei said calmly. "I came here today to ask you a question."

The smile on Su Yuncao's face slowly faded. "Very well, ask your question."

He sat back down, his expression turning stern.

"Why did you steal Principal Chen’s research?" Li Xiaofei asked bluntly.

A flicker of surprise crossed Su Yuncao’s face, but he quickly regained his composure. "Who told you that?" he countered.

Li Xiaofei replied, "Secrets can’t stay hidden forever."

"True enough..." Su Yuncao nodded, still calm. "Chen Fei himself agreed to it. What do you plan to do? Stand up for him? Or perhaps you’re here to bargain with me and gain some personal benefit?"

"Neither," Li Xiaofei answered. "I came here to tell you something."

"And what might that be?" Su Yuncao asked, now genuinely intrigued.

Li Xiaofei’s voice remained steady as he said, "Return Chen’s research to him, then get out of Liuhe Base City. Red Flag High School does not welcome you."