"If Dean Liu insists on this, then I resign. I will leave Blue Tyrant Academy today!"
Hearing this, Liu Erlong was stunned.
No way, refusing a great opportunity as if it were some kind of violation?
However, even though she was flustered, Liu Erlong knew that Dan Heng was a true talent.
If she couldn't keep such a talent, Blue Tyrant Academy would suffer a great loss.
She used her strength to pull Dan Heng back into his seat, smiling sweetly. "Mr. Dan Heng, why are you being so serious with a woman like me? I don't understand all these things."
Dan Heng, forced to sit back on the sofa, felt rather helpless.
Dealing with a "shameless" person was truly a headache.
Liu Erlong continued, "Mr. Dan Heng, you should know that our academy's philosophy is to provide commoner soul masters with the same level of education. But we are also aware that without top-tier resources and teachers, we still lag behind noble academies like Heaven Dou Royal Academy."
"Now that you are here, I believe we have a chance to close the gap. Don't you want those children to receive better education?"
With a heartfelt tone, Liu Erlong started using moral persuasion. She also signaled to the three girls, Jiangzhu and her friends.
The three young women sat on Dan Heng's other side, grabbing his sleeve, each looking at him pitifully.
"Mr. Dan Heng, thanks to you, I was able to solve my problem much faster. If everyone could have the same opportunity, the students of Blue Tyrant Academy would become much stronger!"
"I can tell at a glance that you are a kind and knowledgeable person. Studying under you must be a blessing!"
"Please, Mr. Dan Heng, give us a chance..."
The three girls looked at Dan Heng with pleading eyes.
If it had been any other man, he probably would have caved already.
But Dan Heng only found it troublesome. In fact, he regretted ever recommending books to them in the first place.
Shaking his head, he firmly said, "I'm sorry, but I do not enjoy teaching. I only want to be a librarian. If I can't have a peaceful life, I will resign immediately."
Seeing Dan Heng looking at her directly, Liu Erlong sheepishly let go of his sleeve and smiled.
"Don't worry, Mr. Dan Heng. Our academy is very democratic; we would never force you. Since you are unwilling, I'll have to give up for now. But you are always welcome here!"
Liu Erlong assured him sincerely.
Dan Heng nodded and, under the reluctant gazes of the women, took his leave.
Jiangzhu and the other two girls turned to Liu Erlong, sighing.
"Dean Liu, you saw it yourself. Mr. Dan Heng is an absolute talent! But he just doesn't like teaching... What a shame. I can feel that he would be an amazing instructor!"
"We can't go against his will. Should we just leave it at that?"
Jiangzhu asked weakly.
Having seen Dan Heng's impressive knowledge, she deeply regretted exposing his talents.
Wasn't this a betrayal of his kindness?
The other two girls looked at her in surprise.
Liu Erlong chuckled proudly. "Don't worry. With me around, there won't be a problem! Dan Heng is still in the academy, isn't he? That means, sooner or later, he will become your mentor!"
"If he refuses, we can go around him and persuade his family instead!"
"Can Mr. Dan Heng refuse his own family?"
Liu Erlong squinted, already scheming.
Meanwhile, Dan Heng returned to the library, where Gu Yuena had brought him lunch.
Naturally, she was wearing a veil. Though her unparalleled aura made people believe she was a stunning beauty, it still kept the pests away.
If Dan Heng were the possessive type, he might have wrapped her in thick cloth from head to toe.
"Husband, try this. I made it especially for you."
Gu Yuena set down two dishes and a soup at the service counter.
Chive omelet, oysters, and chicken soup with floating goji berries.
Though the aroma was delicious, the selection of dishes...
Dan Heng's lips twitched slightly as he looked at Gu Yuena, realizing her "ill intentions."
Gu Yuena's eyes curved into crescent moons as she spoke softly, "Husband, make sure to finish it all. I'll be waiting for you at home."
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered before reluctantly leaving.
Dan Heng shook his head.
No matter what, food was food!
As he took a few bites, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Seems like you have a happy family."
Dan Heng looked up and saw an androgynous-looking man—Chrysanthemum Douluo.
Chrysanthemum Douluo gave Dan Heng a slight nod. "We meet again, young friend Dan Heng. Please eat first; we can talk afterward."
Dan Heng nodded and continued eating.
Chrysanthemum Douluo was slightly surprised.
Most people, upon seeing him nearby, would lose their appetite from nervousness.
Yet Dan Heng was perfectly at ease, even offering to share the meal.
This kind of attitude pleased Chrysanthemum Douluo.
After all, what he wanted was a true confidant, not someone who cowered in fear at his presence.
Unfortunately, the mission given by the Supreme Pontiff involved this very person. This left Chrysanthemum Douluo conflicted.
Follow the Supreme Pontiff's orders and kill this rare friend?
But if he disobeyed, the consequences could be bad...
Dan Heng quickly finished his meal, even drinking all the soup.
Afterward, he felt a strange warmth in his stomach.
It seemed like there was something else in that soup.
For some reason, he started thinking of Gu Yuena's figure.
"Young friend Dan Heng, have you finished reading the ancient floral manuscripts I gave you?" Chrysanthemum Douluo asked, steering the conversation.
Dan Heng nodded, expressing his gratitude. "Yes, thank you, Your Eminence. Almost all the flowers recorded in the book were new to me; it was truly eye-opening."
In truth, if not for the risk of being impolite, he would have asked about the properties of some of the plants.
Ultimately, he was not as passionate about flowers as Chrysanthemum Douluo—his main interest lay in the medicinal value of rare herbs.
"It's a small matter. I only share such things with those who are destined. You are quite remarkable... Now then, young friend Dan Heng, do you know of the Fragnant Qiluo Immortal Treasure?"
Chrysanthemum Douluo asked with a smile.
Dan Heng nodded slightly and recited, "A light pink, leafless flower with a three-foot-long stem. The flower is large, with a diameter of nearly a foot. Each petal is crystal-clear, resembling a gemstone, and the flower's center is a soft purple, like clusters of embedded amethysts."
Chrysanthemum Douluo smiled in satisfaction.
He then asked about several other rare flowers, and Dan Heng answered effortlessly.
This delighted Chrysanthemum Douluo.
At that moment, he made his decision.
He would pretend he never found Dan Heng.
As for Ghost Douluo, who was likely tracking Dan Heng's family... he would have to find a way to stop him.