"You mean to say that Shang Xiulin is only willing to hide in the campus, teaching students literature and writing, but unwilling to join the royal court as the high official I offered him... is that what you mean?"
"King, I never meant that. You’re truly wronging me." Chen Fenglei forced a bitter smile, hurriedly denying it.
"However, when you put it like that, it does seem to be the case." Zhong Daolong appeared pensive and said, "Does he think I’m not a benevolent king, and that’s why he refuses to serve me?"
"King, I wouldn’t dare to comment on that."
"I’m telling you to speak, so speak. What is there to be afraid of? You old thing, you’re getting craftier by the day, hardly a word of truth comes out of your mouth these days."
Chen Fenglei, in a state of panic, fell to his knees and said, "I dare not keep any secrets from the King."
"Alright, get up. You don’t need to be kneeling all the time in front of me, and I have no intention of punishing you." Zhong Daolong said aloud, "We’ve been partners for so many years, surely we still have some trust and affection between us."
"Thank you for valuing me, King. I am but a servant, here to serve the King. I wouldn’t dare say I’m partnered with the King... and please, King, never say such a thing again. If the people outside heard that, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have a place to be buried when I’m dead."
"Don’t worry, it’s only Chen Fenglei who goes around taking people’s heads, no one could take yours."
"Should the King ever want Chen Fenglei’s head, you are welcome to take it anytime," Chen Fenglei said with a sycophantic look on his face.
"What would I want your head for? To use as a wine jug or a chamber pot?" Zhong Daolong laughed and said, "An old face I’ve seen for decades, if I accidentally saw it at night, I might have nightmares."
"You’re right, my lord; I am indeed getting old. Yet, you still look as vigorous as the day you were crowned King," Chen Fenglei said with a touch of emotion.
"Who can remain vigorous forever?" Zhong Daolong sighed and said, "Governing a country and manipulating people’s hearts is no easy task."
"You have already done quite well, King, a wise ruler that comes once in a hundred years."
"Heh heh heh, those scholars don’t think so. They usually curse me plenty, don’t they?" Zhong Daolong laughed heartily.
"Those scholars... what do they know?"
"They may not understand, but they hold grudges. They hide their hatred in their hearts, inscribe it on paper. It’s everywhere, lasting ten years, twenty years, one hundred years, two hundred years, never dispersing, never fading... Do you think these scholars are fearsome? Hateful?"
"King, there’s no need to be concerned, an idle scholar is useless. Let them talk." Chen Fenglei consoled, "If there’s anyone the King dislikes, or anyone who curses vehemently or acts aggressively, I can have them captured, make them lie on the interrogation chair. I really want to see if they can still keep their defiant attitude."
"Didn’t the King just say the scholars have pride? I will pull out their bones one by one and let me see for myself what this pride looks like..."
"Enough of that. How can we truly stoop to their level?" Zhong Daolong chuckled.
After a pause, he suddenly asked, "Does Shang Xiulin want to take revenge for Tang Li?"
Chen Fenglei’s eyelids twitched as he said, "So many years have passed, and he’s still dwelling on that incident?"
"He caused quite a stir back then, never stopped causing trouble... After so many years of silence, why the sudden outburst? Nothing has happened recently, has it?"
"Nothing," Chen Fenglei assured, "We’re keeping an eye on all the dangerous individuals."
"Hmm." Zhong Daolong nodded and said, "Don’t be negligent. Even ashes can reignite. It’s not just the pride we need to worry about, but lest they grow rebellious bones."
"Also, Phoenix has returned. Have her come and join me for dinner... Why does the girl always have to be involved in so much?"
"Hehe..." Zhong Daolong, amused by some thought, laughed and asked, "Do you think this amounts to a ’dog-eat-dog’ situation, each with a mouth full of fur?"
Chen Fenglei dared not respond to that.
"Old but not dead is but to be a thief; no wonder I always feel you’re shifty and sly..."
"What? Tang Fei still hasn’t woken up? Did the doctor say when he might wake up?"
"Ah, it’s okay, just convey my goodwill to him for me, tell Xiu Xue that we in the Sky Class are very happy to welcome Tang Fei. Tell him..."
"Alright, alright, today we take pride in Tang Fei, and one day he will surely take pride in our class..."
Ran Ran’s arrival was a catalyst, and then the teachers from other classes of the Ancient Martial Department came one after another to report and ’poach students.’
Some even wanted to take Tang Fei as a personal disciple, like Shang Xiulin, but were rejected by Phoenix on the grounds that he was not yet awake.
After sending off another teacher, Phoenix said, "We need to hurry back, we can’t stay here any longer."
"I was thinking the same," Tang Fei nodded, having already received several teachers while lying there. "Let’s head back first."
"What about Little Fatty?" Phoenix asked.
"As for Little Fatty, let’s leave him here for now," Tang Fei said. "The Martial Arts Hall’s rehabilitation equipment is not bad, and there are doctors on call 24 hours a day. It would be a waste not to use it... we don’t have such facilities back at the courtyard."
"That’s what I was thinking too. Once we’re both back, we can send him a message."