17: Chapter 17 Moon's Decision

"Keep him! We absolutely cannot let him go!"

"Damn that Teacher Zhou Yi, she has ruined Shrek's big plans!"

The pavilion elders, who had just been maintaining the posture of experts, had completely lost their poise by now, wishing they could execute Teacher Zhou Yi on the spot.

However, if Teacher Zhou Yi knew about this right now, she would definitely say she was deeply wronged!

Hasn't this kind of student "selection" situation always existed in the academy?!

Furthermore, among the senior elders present, who would dare say that their descendants working in the academy haven't done the same thing?

It's just that compared to others, Teacher Zhou Yi's "selection" intensity was just a teeny-tiny bit stronger!

Of course, as the "esteemed and respected" senior elders of Shrek, the people present wouldn't reflect on their own inaction and connivance at all.

They would only push all the blame onto Teacher Zhou Yi, whose scandal had just blown up.

Elder Mu En on the recliner looked at the chaos before him, a trace of undisguised disappointment and helplessness deep within his eyes.

Regarding the problems of Shrek and the problems of these senior elders, he had actually been crystal clear about them in his heart all along.

But his injuries were now severe and his Lifespan was running low, so even if he had the heart to reform, he was long past the point of being able to do so.

Now, he could only prioritize ensuring that after he passed away, Shrek could steadily pass down its Legacy.

As for these deeply ingrained chronic illnesses, they could only be left for future generations to resolve!

"Alright, quiet."

Elder Mu En's words still carried weight. After everyone calmed their emotions, Elder Mu En looked toward Principal Yan Shaozhe and said, "Shaozhe, tell us, what is the exact situation with this matter?"

"Teacher, the specific course of events is basically consistent with what we initially understood. It was indeed Teacher Zhou Yi who first threatened expulsion to oppress the student, and later she was also the one who struck first, threatening to cripple Lin Yan, which sparked the subsequent battle between the two."

"As for Lin Yan's side... He..."

Speaking to this point, Principal Yan Shaozhe paused, a rather strange expression appearing on his face.

Seeing Principal Yan Shaozhe dawdling and not continuing, Dean Xian Liner, who was already full of displeasure towards him, immediately grew impatient and urged, "Principal Yan Shaozhe, spit it out if you have something to say, stop dragging your feet!"

Principal Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't argue with Dean Xian Liner.

Towards Dean Xian Liner, Principal Yan Shaozhe still felt a sense of guilt; after all, it was he who had strayed first back then...

"Lin Yan said that he was frightened by Teacher Zhou Yi, and his heart and mind suffered severe trauma."

"However..."

"In my view, his attitude doesn't look like he is truly completely disappointed with the academy; instead, it looks like he is using this excuse to ask for some 'compensation'."

As Principal Yan Shaozhe's voice fell, the people present actually breathed a sigh of relief.

"Haha, this little fellow actually dared to 'extort' Shrek."

Elder Lin, who managed Shrek's Treasure Pavilion—Lin Huiqun, couldn't help it first and spoke up with a smile and a tease.

Isn't that so? Over so many years, those who dared to actively ask Shrek for compensation could be counted on one hand, let alone using such an absurd reason as "heart trauma."

Yet even so, not only did everyone present feel no anger at all, but instead they felt this little fellow was clever and had boldness!

After all, compared to a person like Lin Yan, what did a few resources amount to?!

"Shaozhe, this matter is indeed the academy's fault."

"Leave the matters concerning compensation to you to handle. Do not be stingy with resources, and make sure to dispel the resentment in that child's heart."

"Yes, Teacher."

After Elder Mu En finished instructing Principal Yan Shaozhe and saw him respectfully accept, he slowly nodded.

This eldest Disciple of his! Clearly his Spirit was the Radiant Phoenix, and his Aptitude was exceptional, but his Heart-Nature was a bit narrow.

Otherwise, relying on his Aptitude, how could he have been stuck at level 95 for so many years, unable to achieve a Breakthrough for a long time?

Afterwards, Elder Mu En looked at the people present again, his tone sinking a bit: "After experiencing this matter, I think some of the academy's rules are due for a shake-up."

"From now on, outer courtyard teachers without a legitimate reason may not arbitrarily expel students."

"If a student is to be expelled, it must be reported to the academy for application, and can only be executed after approval and stamping by the academy."

"Regarding this matter, Shaozhe, Dean Xian Liner, the four of you should come up with a specific set of regulations as soon as possible."

At this moment, with Lin Yan's example right before them, no one stood out to oppose it, but if it were usual times, even with Elder Mu En speaking, it would still stir up some ripples.

Although this was merely weakening the power in the hands of the outer courtyard teachers, most teachers in the outer courtyard nowadays had some kind of connections behind them.

And under all sorts of intertwined relationships, there would always be people seeking out the senior elders present due to their own interests.

By that time, even if Elder Mu En could forcefully push it through, it would inevitably cause a huge fuss.

This was Shrek's true situation nowadays. After ten thousand years of development, the entire academy looked thriving on the surface, but internally it was already overgrown with rotting flesh, its deep-seated malady difficult to reverse.

To truly "heal," one could only harden their heart to strike heavily, cutting away the rotting flesh and scraping the bones to cure the poison.

However, the internal and external relations of the academy were intertwined and complicated now, where a single hair moved the whole body, and a single misstep could result in utter destruction!

Still, as the saying goes, if Elder Mu En could recover his peak state and had sufficient Lifespan right now, relying on his strength and prestige, he might still be able to forcefully push for reforms.

What a pity! Reality has no ifs.

Therefore, what Elder Mu En could do now was only to make a few minor changes within a limited scope, then guard the academy well, praying that before Shrek completely headed towards destruction in the future, a great talent could appear to lead the academy to a Rebirth through fire!

"This matter is settled just like that. Next, let's talk about how to deal with the mastermind of this incident."

"Cai Meier, the matters of the outer courtyard are mainly your responsibility. Speak your opinion first."

"Yes, Elder Mu En."

Dean Cai Meier stood up, respectfully bowed to Elder Mu En, and then spoke: "Teacher Zhou Yi acted willfully and behaved despicably this time, seriously damaging the academy's reputation."

"My opinion is suspension and expulsion, never to be hired again!"

At the upper seat, the pavilion elders nodded slightly without raising any objections.

However, Principal Yan Shaozhe seized the opportunity to add: "Over at the Soul Tool Department, Teacher Zhou Yi's husband Teacher Fan Yu also bears the responsibility of shielding her. I suggest stripping him of his current position and never promoting him, letting him peacefully be a researcher in the academy from now on."

Hearing this, Vice Dean Qian Duoduo instantly became anxious.

He hurriedly looked towards Elder Mu En to plead for leniency: "Elder Mu En, you cannot do this! Teacher Fan Yu is the only level-eight Soul Engineer in our academy besides me. Handling it this way will chill his heart and affect the development of our Soul Tool Department!"

At this time, Elder Xuan, who hadn't stopped eating and drinking since the meeting started, tilted his head back to gulp down a mouthful of wine, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and casually said:

"So what if he is a level-eight Soul Engineer?"

"Anyway, he isn't of much use. If this old man has a say, since the couple caused such a huge disaster and can still remain in the academy, they should be extremely grateful!"

"Just do as Principal Yan Shaozhe said, let that Teacher Fan Yu go be a researcher."

Hearing this, Vice Dean Qian Duoduo didn't dare to retort Elder Xuan either, and could only cast his pleading gaze towards Elder Mu En, hoping Elder Mu En could show mercy.

After a brief thought, Elder Mu En pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "Teacher Fan Yu does indeed bear the responsibility of shielding her. Strip him of his current position, but allow him to atone for his crimes through meritorious service and retain his promotion qualifications. As for Teacher Zhou Yi..."

"Teacher Zhou Yi's punishment will be according to what Dean Cai Meier said. However, after being dismissed from office, have her accompany Teacher Fan Yu, and she is not allowed to step a single step out of Shrek without reason."

"In addition, according to what that child Lin Yan said, previously Teacher Zhou Yi abused her power, suppressed, and coerced students, causing quite a few students to be injured or disabled."

"For this group of students, the academy must investigate them one by one and provide corresponding compensation; those who can be treated must be treated with all-out effort, and when necessary, we can invite Elder Zhuang to take action!"

"As for those students who can no longer fully recover, give them more compensation to make up for it as much as possible."