Chapter 54 - Institute Chief Chu, You Actually Took in a Courtesan?
When the members of Wendao Academy saw Chu Feng smiling at them, their expressions varied greatly.
Ling Zitong looked utterly disdainful, his posture full of arrogance. If Elder Qi hadn't been here, he would've already launched into mockery.
This young master's been waiting to teach you a lesson. Can't believe you had the guts to come straight to me.
Beside him, Kuang Sandao wore a look of confusion.
Why is this guy voluntarily stepping up to get smacked by Brother Ling?
Even Qin Qin, standing next to Chu Feng, gave him a puzzled look. Why is this Young Master Chu acting so strangely?
Only the Wendao Academy members looked slightly embarrassed, like thieves caught in the act.
Elder Qi's awkwardness passed in an instant. With a smile, he said, "Institute Chief Chu, I must thank you for scouting a disciple for our Law Arts Institute in advance."
As soon as the words "Institute Chief" were spoken—
Ling Zitong's expression froze. The contempt in his eyes vanished without a trace, replaced instantly by terror.
This guy is actually an institute chief?
How is that even possible?
Kuang Sandao's expression also twisted into something unreadable, his heart a chaotic mix of feelings.
Even though Qin Qin had already been told via jade slip about Chu Feng's identity, she was still stunned into an O-shaped mouth.
A flash of confusion passed through Chu Feng's eyes. "When did I ever help you scout a disciple?"
Feigning ignorance—clearly, this Institute Chief Chu was pretending.
Thinking this, Elder Qi's lips curved up ever so slightly. "Institute Chief Chu, news of you watching the duel between Kuang Sandao and Ling Zitong yesterday has already spread through Wendao Academy. Everyone knows you favored Ling Zitong."
Ling Zitong: o((⊙﹏⊙))o
Kuang Sandao: Σ(⊙▽⊙"a
Qin Qin: (´･ω･`)?
Chu Feng wasn't a fool. Upon hearing this, he instantly understood—so just because he praised Ling Zitong's looks, these old foxes swooped in to snatch him up.
But it was fine like this—now no one would be eyeing his disciple.
"Looks like Chu's reputation is already well-known."
"Indeed."
Elder Qi was in an excellent mood. He glanced at Qin Qin beside Chu Feng and smiled. "We won't disturb Institute Chief Chu's elegant outing with this fair lady. We'll take our leave."
"Take care."
Chu Feng replied with a bright smile, not the slightest hint of reluctance in his gaze.
Elder Qi signaled the others with a glance, then took Ling Zitong and departed grandly.
Only Kuang Sandao remained, still stunned in place. He glanced at Chu Feng instinctively.
Now that Ling Zitong had been taken away, did that mean he might still have a chance to be accepted as a disciple by this Institute Chief? After all, he was on par with Ling Zitong in fame.
With that thought, Kuang Sandao didn't hesitate—he dropped to his knees.
Thud!
He and Qin Qin knelt down at nearly the same moment, both saying in unison, "Senior, I respectfully request to become your disciple!"
As the words fell, the two glanced at each other instinctively.
This scene was clearly visible to the passersby nearby.
Earlier, Ling Zitong being taken in by Wendao Academy had already been a major gossip event.
Now, Kuang Sandao and a young lady were both kneeling together, asking to become the disciple of an institute chief—of course people were eager to see who he would accept.
Chu Feng first looked at Kuang Sandao and said, "Sandao, you and I are not fated. You should go seek another worthy teacher."
Hiss…
The surrounding crowd gasped involuntarily.
This institute chief actually turned down Kuang Sandao!
After speaking, Chu Feng helped Qin Qin up with a smile and said, "From this day forward, you are officially my disciple."
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for accepting a new disciple. Reward: Ten years of cultivation."
Qin Qin was full of emotion. "Thank you, Master!"
Kuang Sandao stared at the scene before him, eyes filled with disbelief. He couldn't help but roar aloud:
"Why?! Senior, why would you choose her? She's just a courtesan from Qunfang Pavilion—how am I any worse than her?!"
The nearby onlookers all gasped when they heard the word "courtesan."
Did this institute chief lose his mind?
Kuang Sandao vs. a courtesan—and he chose the courtesan?!
Qin Qin instinctively glanced at Chu Feng upon hearing that, clearly wanting to see what her master would say.
The corners of Chu Feng's mouth lifted slightly. "Why would I, Chu, ever need to explain myself to the likes of you?"
With that, he turned and left with Qin Qin.
Kuang Sandao remained on his knees, dumbstruck, staring at the backs of the two as they walked away, unable to come to his senses.
The bystanders around him were just as stunned.
They prided themselves on years of gossip in Wendao City—
but they had never eaten melon this big before.
If someone had told them that an institute chief of Wendao Academy would choose Qin Qin over Kuang Sandao—
they would've smashed that person's head in without hesitation.
Yet now, it had happened. Right before their eyes.
What is even going on with this world?
Chu Feng returned to Qunfang Pavilion with Qin Qin and quickly handled the formalities.
Qin Qin packed up her belongings and followed Chu Feng back to Wendao Academy.
As soon as they arrived at the academy, they heard students shouting:
"Did you hear? Institute Chief Chu actually accepted a courtesan from Qunfang Pavilion as a disciple!"
"No way, that can't be true, right?!"
"Institute Chief Chu's Miscellaneous Dao Institute only has a few disciples, but every one of them was already a well-known figure before joining!"
"Cao Youqian had a bad reputation, but he was still one of the most notorious figures in the outer court. And Xiao Chen—he was the outer court's top swordsman in the Sword Dao Institute!"
"Both of them were household names. But now Institute Chief Chu went and took in a courtesan? That's jaw-dropping!"
Qin Qin heard all the whispers around her and looked visibly uncomfortable.
She instinctively looked toward her master, wanting to know how he would react.
To her surprise, he acted as if he hadn't heard a single word. His expression remained calm and unbothered.
"Master… did I disgrace you?" she asked softly.
"Of course you did," Chu Feng answered without hesitation.
"Ah?"
Qin Qin didn't know how to respond.
But then Chu Feng's lips curled into a small smile. "But that doesn't matter. What matters now is how you'll earn that respect back."
"Remember what I say—face and reputation are not given by others. They're earned with strength."
Qin Qin froze for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Master, I won't let you down."
Seeing the subtle shift in her aura, Chu Feng's smile deepened.
Looks like this little disciple is pretty easy to motivate. But of course, this alone isn't enough.
The two soon arrived at the student registration office. Chu Feng completed Qin Qin's enrollment paperwork, and right then, they happened to run into Elder Qi and Ling Zitong's group.
On their way over, they had already heard the news that Chu Feng had accepted Qin Qin as a disciple.
Elder Qi laughed and said, "Institute Chief Chu, I thought you would've picked that Kuang Sandao. I didn't expect you to choose a courtesan instead."
"Even if I beat you to taking Zitong as a disciple, you didn't have to give up on yourself like that, did you?"
As soon as those words fell, everyone present could smell gossip in the air…
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