160: Let's talk.

It was dark; night had fallen.

Blood stained the lawn red, eventually being completely absorbed by the soil.

Lu Yuan looked at the four ferocious beasts he had dismembered; their corpses were scattered in pieces here and there.

Even an experienced forensic pathologist would find it difficult to piece them back together completely.

"How can I quickly improve my close combat techniques?" Lu Yuan asked.

Before Han Junchen could speak, Army Devourer said in an indifferent tone,

"Kill people or ferocious beasts, the more the better!"

"That's the same as what the teacher said."

Han Junchen curiously sized up Army Devourer, who had spoken.

He wasn't sure about Puppet Masters, but he knew that the Skeleton Monsters summoned by Dark Attribute Professionals had no thinking ability.

"I understand." Lu Yuan wiped the blood from his palms with a wet wipe.

With Army Devourer and Lao Qiyuan around, he wasn't worried about the speed at which his close combat skills would improve.

Before his Sword Technique achieved some level of success, he would use Spirit Skills whenever possible!

The stars were twinkling; after returning to the villa and washing up, Lu Yuan went to sleep peacefully.

The next morning, Lao Qiyuan had been waiting for a long time.

He didn't have the key to the villa and could only stand at the door.

Seeing the dismembered corpses of the ferocious beasts on the lawn, Lao Qiyuan smiled.

"It's the same as when I first came into contact with cold weapons."

"Good morning, Principal."

Lu Yuan said.

"Good morning, Principal," Lao Qiyuan nodded.

"I'm used to it."

Lu Yuan realized that he was the one who was the Principal of Pengcheng University now.

As the morning sun rose, Pengcheng University suddenly had a group of people wearing training uniforms with the characters "Zhenbang" printed on their chests.

They were around forty years old and came from the Zhenbang Martial Arts Hall.

"Ah, close combat has changed from an elective course to a compulsory one, but I don't want to practice it."

"That's right, it's exhausting every day."

"What? There's a credit reward for reaching the level of proficiency in close combat?!"

"Teach me, teach me quickly!"

Hearing about the credit rewards and the ability to redeem special training locations, the students went crazy and vied to have the martial arts masters from Zhenbang Martial Arts Hall teach them close combat.

Most students chose common weapons like swords, sabers, and spears.

"The Principal is wise and martial; under your management, Pengcheng University is thriving!"

Vice Principal walked up to flatter him.

"Is that all?" Lu Yuan was a bit dissatisfied.

"There's more, there's more! The Principal is a capable leader, a man of outstanding talent; my admiration for you is like the surging river, endless."

"Little Zhan is not bad, right?"

Lu Yuan looked at Lao Qiyuan.

Lao Qiyuan watched coldly from the sidelines, his smile not reaching his eyes.

After Lu Yuan promised to cooperate with The Authorities yesterday, he raised the salaries of the Vice Principals and mentors, and by three times at that!

Once these words were spoken, the whole school was in an uproar, and they immediately pledged their loyalty to Lu Yuan.

That scene, to say nothing of others, even left Lao Qiyuan dumbfounded!

When he was the Principal before, he never received such treatment—no one poured tea for him or asked about his well-being.

"Let's go, Principal," Lao Qiyuan said, his tone clearly tinged with a bit of jealousy.

Imperial Capital, Duzhi Division headquarters.

The Duzhi Division headquarters was located next to the Seven Alliances and One Hall headquarters; it was a building with a luxurious exterior and a strong sense of technology.

Lao Qiyuan was in no rush to go in.

"You should know that I once served as the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Sword Alliance," Lao Qiyuan said.

Lu Yuan nodded.

It was mentioned in elementary school history, and in middle school too.

People were coming and going at the entrance of the headquarters, and Lao Qiyuan collected his thoughts.

"Lu Yuan, although the Duzhi Division belongs to The Authorities, they are also businessmen."

Lao Qiyuan deliberately emphasized the word "businessmen."

"There is no business without deceit, so don't have any reservations; if you should fight for something, then fight!" Lao Qiyuan stopped there, knowing that Lu Yuan could understand the subtext.

Lu Yuan's eyes flickered, and he strode into the Duzhi Division.

"Yo, Elder Lao, what wind blew you over here?"

A man about fifty years old, named E Zhixing, greeted them with a smile.

The reason he addressed Lao Qiyuan as Elder was simply out of habit.

After all, Lao Qiyuan had served as the Grand Elder of the Heavenly Sword Alliance and was once a frequent visitor to the Duzhi Division.

"Why isn't Zou Xinrong here to welcome me? Did he run off to the Alliance Leaders to cry poor again?" Lao Qiyuan asked.

Hearing this, E Zhixing, who was in charge of reception, smiled awkwardly.

Zou Xinrong, Grand Elder of the Department of Finance, managed the entire Duzhi Division.

"Maybe," E Zhixing said sheepishly.

Only Lao Qiyuan would dare to say that.

Cry poor?

Lu Yuan was puzzled.

Why does it feel like money is tight everywhere he goes?

From the Five Great Top Academies down to the Duzhi Division, everyone seems to be poor.

"Pengcheng University is genuinely short of money, but Zou Xinrong is simply stingy. He cries poor to the Alliance Leaders every few days. I remember one time..." Lao Qiyuan opened the floodgates.

"Don't... Elder Lao, please don't say any more; I don't want to hear it."

E Zhixing was so scared he didn't dare to breathe.

It wasn't that he didn't want to listen, but that he didn't dare to.

"Hmph, I knew they would be badmouthing me behind my back."

Top floor office.

An elderly man with a thin build and a full head of silver hair was watching the surveillance footage.

Hearing Lao Qiyuan bring up his past, Zou Xinrong spat out some tea leaves.

He had been drinking this tea for ten days; he only changed it when it had absolutely no flavor left.

"Why did Elder Lao come to the Duzhi Division?" asked an elderly man next to Zou Xinrong, who was plump and had a very kind smile.

"I reckon it's because of the reforms at Pengcheng University; the funds provided by the Wind-Splitting Alliance aren't enough for now, so he's come to borrow money from me."

Zou Xinrong speculated.

"Borrow money? Not a chance!"

"Who doesn't know that I, Zou Xinrong, am a miser? A tin of tea leaves lasts me two years, and a set of clothes lasts me three!" Zou Xinrong carefully put the tea leaves into his cup, thinking that it would last him another half a month.

The Second Elder, Tian Zhishang, curled his lip, thinking, "You're so stingy you'll be the death of yourself."

If this were a world where stinginess was revered, Zou Xinrong would definitely be a top expert in the world!

Tea fragrance wafted through the reception room.

Lu Yuan was drinking tea and eating snacks; E Zhixing, who was in charge of reception, had a good attitude.

He entertained them with good food and drink, and before long, they got to the main topic.

"Elder Lao, is there anything you need at the Duzhi Division?" E Zhixing asked, keeping his attention on Lao Qiyuan the entire time.

He naturally knew Lu Yuan, but they had only chatted for a few sentences.

"Our Principal has business," Lao Qiyuan said.

"Principal?"

E Zhixing looked at Lu Yuan.

The news of Lu Yuan becoming the Principal of Pengcheng University had long been spreading like wildfire, dominating the trending searches and sparking nationwide discussion.

The key was, what could Lu Yuan possibly want at the Duzhi Division?

"A map marking refining materials..." E Zhixing frowned deeply.

"The two of you should rest; I've given instructions that you are free to tour any part of the building."

E Zhixing said with a smile.

"If the tea and snacks aren't enough, you can find the staff at the door; I'll be back shortly." After saying this, E Zhixing left in a hurry.

He couldn't make the decision on this; he had to report to the Elders.

Lu Yuan waited patiently.

Not long after, a plump elderly man pushed the door open and entered.

"Long time no see, Elder Lao. Nice to meet you, Principal Lu. I am Tian Zhishang, the Second Elder of the Duzhi Division." The elderly man introduced himself.

Before Tian Zhishang could continue speaking, Lu Yuan stood up.

"Let's go."

Lao Qiyuan raised an eyebrow but followed in Lu Yuan's footsteps.

The originally harmonious atmosphere instantly became heavy.

What does this mean?

Tian Zhishang was puzzled and quickly reacted.

"Gentlemen, is there any lack of hospitality from our Duzhi Division? We can sit down and have a good chat."

No one responded!

Watching the surveillance footage as Lu Yuan and Lao Qiyuan were about to enter the elevator, Zou Xinrong narrowed his eyes.

"Putting pressure on me?" Zou Xinrong drummed his fingers on the table, making a crisp "bang, bang, bang" sound.

It wasn't about a lack of hospitality; it was that Lu Yuan felt Tian Zhishang wasn't qualified to negotiate with him!

"Is that what Lao Qiyuan taught Lu Yuan?" Zou Xinrong's expression flickered between cloudy and clear; thinking of the invaluable map in Lu Yuan's hands, he made a decision.

The elevator door opened.

"Elder Lao, long time no see. Lu Yuan, let's have a chat."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan stopped in his tracks.

Standing at the door of the conference room was a thin elderly man, about sixty or seventy years old.

He was holding a thermos in his hand, and the tea leaves in the cup looked very poor quality.

The elderly man was none other than the Grand Elder of the Department of Finance, Zou Xinrong, whose status in China was second only to the Alliance Leaders!