Above the Galaxy
Chapter 245 - 175, Old but not Dead... is a Demon!

Chapter 245: Chapter 175, Old but not Dead... is a Demon!

Tang Fei arrived at the Imperial First Military Academy’s Ancient Martial Department when Mr. Ran was giving a lecture to the students.

Seeing Tang Fei appear on the training ground, the other students gathered around.

"Tang Fei, weren’t you at White Crane Academy? Why are you back?"

"Tang Fei, how is White Crane Academy? Are the teachers there impressive?"

"I heard that White Crane Academy has really good food, is that true? How many people share a dorm room?"

"Tang Fei, could you tell us how one might get into White Crane Academy? Are there any secrets? In which direction should we strive?"

It was like a successful student being chased by younger students eager to ask questions.

Tang Fei greeted everyone with a smile, answering all their questions one by one.

Mr. Ran stood to the side and waited for a while. Feeling like Tang Fei really had nothing new to discuss with them, he finally stepped forward to intervene and said, "If you want to get into White Crane Academy, you need to diligently practice and work hard... I will send you Tang Fei’s training program later to see how many of our classmates can reach his level."

"If Tang Fei could do it, we definitely can too."

"That’s right, Tang Fei got into White Crane Academy in just half a year, it must be because that training regimen is really effective..."

"Mr. Ran is biased, always giving Tang Fei special treatment..."

------

"Alright, since you all say so, I will send you the special regimen I created for Tang Fei. I want to see if you can endure it," Mr. Ran chuckled coldly.

Mr. Ran let the students practice freely, then walked out with Tang Fei.

"Ever since you were admitted to White Crane Academy as the top student, other students have also become motivated. They all want to follow in your footsteps..."

"I intentionally used you to inspire them, to increase their training volume... to see if we can cultivate a few more promising students for the academy..."

Tang Fei looked at Mr. Ran with a chuckle and said, "You’re not just using me to inspire them, you’re provoking them..."

"It’s the same thing," Mr. Ran replied guiltily, "didn’t you also use Shen Xinglan as an imaginary enemy when you wanted to get into White Crane? And what happened? You actually succeeded...."

"I use you to motivate them, maybe they too can get admitted to White Crane in next year’s recruitment. They need some pressure; otherwise, they think being in the Empire’s top school is enough to slack off... not attending classes diligently, constantly taking leaves to play, not practicing diligently... How can they achieve greatness that way?"

"Mr. Ran speaks wisely." Tang Fei gave Mr. Ran a thumbs up.

He was very fond of Mr. Ran, who indeed had helped him a lot.

Back then, he told Mr. Ran he wanted to reach Tongyou Realm from the upper level of controlling Qi within six months. Surprisingly, they achieved this seemingly impossible task in less than that time.

In those six months, Tang Fei truly worked extremely hard, but it was inseparably related to Mr. Ran’s help.

Creating a devilish training plan, personal coaching, timely adjustment of direction and progress, applying for the use of the Gravity Room, the rights to use Recovery Cabin... and much more, she did everything a teacher could do.

She took care of many tasks which normally wouldn’t have been her responsibility and went above and beyond.

The fact that Tang Fei secured the first rank in this recruitment drive of White Crane Academy, at least a third of the credit was hers.

Now that she was willing to use her successful case to encourage other students, Tang Fei had no objections and was willing to support her work wholeheartedly.

Mr. Ran looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Why did you suddenly ask me to contact Dean Shang? Isn’t your brother his student? Couldn’t he have just talked to Dean Shang directly?"

"I think it’s more appropriate for you to handle this." Tang Fei said with a chuckle, "My brother isn’t very articulate, and I’m afraid he wouldn’t convey my intentions accurately."

Tang Fei also wanted Mr. Ran to have more exposure in front of Dean Shang, as they worked under the administrative system. If they had leadership looking out for them, opportunities would come more often and promotions would be quicker.

"Oh, I see." Mr. Ran nodded, "I have already contacted the Dean. He told me to bring you directly to his house when you arrive. He’s off today and not working."

"Shall we go now?"

"Sure, let’s go now. There’s nothing else pressing," Mr. Ran declared.

Under Mr. Ran’s guidance, they arrived at Shang Xiulin’s residence.

Mr. Ran went to ring the doorbell, but surprisingly it was Little Fatty who came to open the door.

Seeing Tang Fei at the door, Little Fatty excitedly exclaimed, "Oh, Brother! What are you doing here? Aren’t you..."

"I came to visit Dean Shang," Tang Fei interrupted Little Fatty with a smile.

"Oh, come in quickly, my master is drinking tea inside," said Little Fatty.

Tang Fei noticed Little Fatty, in a light garment and sweating heavily, and asked, "What are you doing?"

"I’m breaking stones."

"Keep at it," Tang Fei patted his shoulder and smiled.

Shang Xiulin was brewing tea when Tang Fei and Mr. Ran entered. He didn’t even look up as he said, "Feel free to sit down."

He was the Dean, after all; he had the privilege to act nonchalantly...

"Thank you, Dean," Ran Ran respectfully expressed his gratitude, then seated himself on the edge of the sofa.

In front of Shang Xiulin, he remained quite cautious.

Tang Fei walked up to Shang Xiulin, bowed deeply, and said, "Hello, Dean Shang. I am your student, Tang Fei. I had the fortune of being admitted to White Crane Academy, thanks to the education and cultivation at the Imperial First Military Academy... I asked Mr. Ran to bring me here, primarily to express my gratitude to you, Dean Shang."

Ran Ran looked at Tang Fei with a face full of satisfaction, thinking that this kid really knew how to handle things.

Being admitted to White Crane Academy was indeed something to be proud of.

However, the fact that he had rushed to thank the Dean right after getting admitted, bringing his mentor along to express thanks...

Wasn’t that like desperately adding gold to his own shining face?

Both diligent and understanding of human emotions.

Such students were extremely rare.

Shang Xiulin looked up at Ran Ran, passed a cup of tea to her, and said, "Mr. Ran has indeed worked hard, and his teaching methods are very appropriate. To bring his student to the top of the school in such a short time... it’s like breaking a record for our school."

Ran Ran quickly stood up and modestly said, "Dean, you overpraise me, I truly don’t deserve it... I just did what I could. Tang Fei’s success is all thanks to the school’s cultivation and his personal efforts..."

"Enough, enough, no need for such courtesy here," Shang Xiulin indicated towards the sofa and said, "Sit down and have some tea."

He then said to Tang Fei, "You sit down and have some tea too."

"Thank you, Dean," Tang Fei obediently sat down next to Ran Ran.

Shang Xiulin placed a cup of tea in front of Tang Fei and looking at him, said, "Having watched your fight with Shen Qingping, I’ve always had a concern... You’re too clever, or should I say too slick..."

"..."

Tang Fei thought, no wonder he always felt that Dean Shang didn’t like him; it turned out to be because he thought he was too slick.

For an elder to describe you with such words was not a good thing.

It was almost as if pointing directly at your nose and calling you cunning and deceitful...

"I have seen many students like you, always thinking they are the cleverest in the world, fond of taking shortcuts, likely to stray from the right path, and ultimately not achieving as much as those less talented students who step solidly forward..."

"Later, you became Mr. Ran’s student, and I have been watching from the sidelines, wanting to see what kind of reaction you two could produce, whether young Mr. Ran could really guide a student with such a personality..."

"As it turns out, it’s clear. Mr. Ran succeeded, and you got the reward you wanted. So, as the Dean, I congratulate you. You don’t really need to thank me today... after all, I didn’t really do anything."

Shang Xiulin picked up a freshly poured hot tea, took a sip, then looked at Tang Fei and said, "I guess you didn’t come to see me just for this, did you?"

Ran Ran widened his eyes as he looked at Tang Fei, wondering if he had another motive for arranging this meeting with Dean Shang.

This guy wasn’t solely here to thank the Dean, was he?

The layer of gold he had just attached to his own face, was he about to personally rip it off?

Tang Fei looked at Shang Xiulin with a grin and said, "Dean, you are truly insightful. I did come to see you for another matter..."

His gaze traveled through the tearoom’s floor-to-ceiling window to Little Fatty outside hitting stones and spoke up, "Ever since Little Fatty has been under your tutelage, he has made great progress in all aspects. Whether in personal conduct or strength, he has improved significantly..."

"Every time he returns, he tells me how well Master treats him, offering guidance and education without reservation... Mistress even treats him as if he were her own son, concocting delicious meals for him daily; it seems he has even gained weight during this period..."

"As brothers new to New Star, unfamiliar with life here, it is Little Fatty’s fortune to be under your tutelage and to have a caring figure like Mistress... We brothers are truly grateful... So, this time, I also come to say thank you on behalf of Little Fatty to both Dean Shang and Mistress..."

Tang Fei stood up and once again bowed deeply towards Shang Xiulin.

He then said to Shang Xiulin, "Where is Mistress? Is she at home? I would also like to bow to her on behalf of Little Fatty... Little Fatty is not eloquent and even if he wanted to say something, he can’t express it; he can only keep his gratitude in his heart..."

Ran Ran secretly gave Tang Fei a thumbs up; Tang Fei’s approach was well-reasoned and heartfelt, showcasing the responsibility of a good brother and the gratitude of a loving younger brother impressively.

This move, full marks.

But Shang Xiulin wasn’t buying it, looking at Tang Fei, he said, "Is the performance over?"

"..."

This old man...

Where did I slip up? My acting was off the charts, okay?

Old but not dead... is to be a monster!

"The performance is over, come with me to the yard..."

He stood up first and headed towards the yard.

Tang Fei and Ran Ran exchanged glances, only to follow Shang Xiulin outside.

Shang Xiulin beckoned to Little Fatty, saying, "Little Fatty, come here..."

Little Fatty came over carrying a hammer, a simple smile on his face, and asked, "Master, do you need me for something?"

"You’ve been studying here for a while now, let’s take today as a lesson summary... Come, in front of your brother and Mr. Ran, let me test you..."