"Where is Vice Dean Zhao Wuji's office?" Li Yusong was a little confused as to why they were looking for the vice dean, but he had no desire to get involved. He simply pointed to his right. "The southernmost room."
After saying that, he turned and went back to his laundry, not caring whether Tang San had understood him or not. Being ignored so bluntly left Tang San feeling a little embarrassed. He didn't linger, quickly turning and leaving.
After he relayed the directions to Yu Xiaogang, the latter nodded, and the two of them walked toward the southernmost wooden house. As they approached, Yu Xiaogang once again directed Tang San to go forward and knock on the door. There was no response.
"Excuse me, is Vice Dean Zhao Wuji here?"
Still nothing. Tang San turned and looked at his teacher, unsure of what to do next.
"What are you two doing?" a gruff voice suddenly boomed.
Just then, Zhao Wuji, his eyes still heavy with sleep, walked around the corner of the building. He saw two figures standing furtively at his office door and wondered what they were up to. The sudden sound startled Tang San, who was just about to try the doorknob. His hands trembled, and he jumped back like a thief caught in the act.
Yu Xiaogang glanced at him, once again signaling for Tang San to be the one to speak. Tang San looked at Zhao Wuji's burly, intimidating figure and felt a knot of fear in his stomach. He didn't understand why his teacher made him do everything.
Maybe he wants to train me, he rationalized. The world is a dangerous place. Strength alone isn't enough; you also need to know how to communicate with people. He didn't realize that, at present, he had neither strength nor social skills.
As usual, Tang San bowed to Zhao Wuji and forced a smile. "Hello, Vice Dean Zhao Wuji. I am Tang San, a student of the academy." He was so eager to establish his new status that he announced it right away, as if showing off.
His words seemed to startle Zhao Wuji out of his sleepy stupor. He looked at the two of them more closely and recognized the dean's old friend, the "Grandmaster" Yu Xiaogang. The other one, then, must be his disciple, Tang San. So, the boy had been found. But what was this about being a student at Shrek Academy?
At that moment, Tang San continued, "Dean Flanders asked us to come to you to arrange for a dormitory." After delivering his message, he quickly retreated behind Yu Xiaogang, lowering his head slightly in a show of respect for his teacher.
Zhao Wuji's brow furrowed for a moment, then relaxed. If Flanders had sent them, then he must have agreed to let Tang San enroll. In that case, there was nothing more to say. However, his already poor impression of Yu Xiaogang seemed to worsen. As for Tang San, he knew nothing about him, but judging from the faint spirit power fluctuations, the boy was still far too weak. He was obviously not on the same level as the other seven students. Moreover, he'd heard Yu Xiaogang say his disciple's spirit was Blue Silver Grass. A typical waste spirit. Under Shrek's normal admission standards, Tang San would have never gotten in.
He shook his head slightly and said directly, "Come with me." Without paying any further attention to Yu Xiaogang, he unlocked his office door and walked inside.
Hearing this, Yu Xiaogang's expression changed. This Zhao Wuji just walked in without even a word of greeting to me? he fumed internally. His tone made it sound like I'm a student, just like Tang San. I am a Grandmaster! Who does he think he is, turning his back on me?
He turned to continue commanding Tang San, only to find him gone. He looked up and saw that his disciple had already happily stepped halfway into Zhao Wuji's office, even looking back at him. "Teacher, aren't you coming?"
The corner of Yu Xiaogang's mouth twitched. He couldn't possibly back down now. If Zhao Wuji wasn't going to give him face, why should he offer any in return? That would be demeaning. Thinking of this, Yu Xiaogang waved his hand casually. "You can handle a small matter like this yourself."
Hearing this, Tang San nodded and walked into the office. Inside, Zhao Wuji was rummaging through a drawer. After a long moment, he pulled out a single, rusty key. "The conditions here at the academy aren't the best, and we're short on housing," he said gruffly. "This room should be fine for you and your master. It just hasn't been used in a long time, so it might be a little messy. You'll need to clean it yourselves." He then told Tang San where to find the room.
"Okay, thank you, Vice Dean!" Tang San said, taking the key. He bowed again, then left, closing the door behind him.
"Teacher, this is the key. Vice President Zhao Wuji said we need to clean the room," he reported happily. Having grown up with hardship, Tang San thought it was perfectly fine for two people to share a room.
He didn't notice that Yu Xiaogang's face was growing darker and darker as he stared at the rusty key in his hand. Two people in one room? he thought, aghast. And judging from the state of this key, the room itself can't be much better. Tang San just said we have to clean it ourselves. Is he putting us in a utility closet? I am a famous and respected master in the Spirit Master world! You give me a room like this, and I have to share it with my disciple?
How is this in any way worthy of my status?
At that moment, Yu Xiaogang lost all sense of proportion, like a delusional king in a court of jesters. He had no idea that Zhao Wuji, in order to give them a decent room, had already spent some time considering the options. Otherwise, they would have been sent to a thatched hut. Those were the conditions at the academy. Take it or leave it.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Tang San asked tentatively, noticing his master's strange expression.
If he hadn't asked, it might have been fine. But the question was the final straw. Yu Xiaogang could no longer bear it. As a senior expert, he had lowered himself to join Shrek Academy, only to be treated with such disrespect by Zhao Wuji. Everything else he could tolerate, but to be given such an outrageous living space was the ultimate insult.
He snatched the key from Tang San's hand, took a deep breath to calm himself, and stormed back to Zhao Wuji's office, pushing the door open.
Clang!
The key was thrown onto the table, sending flakes of rust flying. "Vice President Zhao Wuji," Yu Xiaogang snarled, "what is the meaning of this?"
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