In the core area of Tianwei Academy, there was an extremely luxurious complex of buildings.
This was a place accessible only to people at the level of academicians and directors. It showcased their prestigious status through the grandeur of the architecture.
Tianwei Academy, which was nearly as old as the Tianbai Empire itself, boasted several centuries of history. Its academic leaders held positions no less esteemed than high-ranking court officials.
For instance, the current director, Mu Yunsang, also held the position of grand tutor within the empire, which was a status on par with the Three Lords!
Within this luxurious domain, the imperial garden remained brightly lit.
Tong Chengtai, clad in garments, was dwelling on the events of the day in his mind, and was unable to find rest or focus on cultivation.
"Hmph, such a disobedient student deserved to be taught a lesson!"
Tong Chengtai lightly tapped the table, muttering to himself, "The matter is settled; sacrificing a mere Ling Feng for the sake of my promising future... what's wrong with that!?"
With that said, Tong Chengtai extinguished the candlelight and prepared to meditate in the study.
However, at that moment, the extinguished candle unexpectedly reignited.
Tong Chengtai furrowed his brows, immediately rising from his seat while coldly declaring, "Who dares to intrude upon the residence of the director in the dead of night!?"
"Yo! You’re clearly just a little vice-director among the bunch of old cronies. Even if that old coot Mu Yunsang kicked the bucket, it wouldn’t be your turn to become the director. Yet here you are, incessantly referring to yourself as 'director.’ Why don't you aim to be god?"
Tong Chengtai's expression darkened, his aura erupting instantly. "Insolent fool! Who are you to speak so disrespectfully while hiding behind anonymity? What kind of hero are you?"
"Hahaha, I’m still better than you, you hypocritical old coot. As a vice-director who is supposed to uphold discipline and fairness in the academy, you dared to secretly alter students' grades. Tsk, tsk, tsk, you’re utterly shameless! You old dog, you should be thrown into a cesspool to cleanse yourself of that stench of villainy!"
"What!?" Tong Chengtai clenched his fists, his eyes ablaze with fury. "You scoundrel, cease your nonsensical prattle!"
"Is it all nonsense? You old scoundrel, you know exactly what's going on! Hmph!"
Seeming to have grown tired of playing hide-and-seek, in the next moment, Yan Cangtian unexpectedly appeared before Tong Chengtai, causing him to retreat several steps in fright. It was as if he had seen a ghost, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.
"Y-You're... Yan Cangtian?" Tong Chengtai swallowed hard, unable to fathom why Yan Cangtian would know about this matter, let alone intervene.
"I say, Old Tong, so many years have passed, and you've already climbed to the position of vice-director. Yet you still can't be satisfied. You’re meddling in this today, and that tomorrow. You old geezer, halfway into the grave, why do you have so much free time?"
Yan Cangtian's few words left Tong Chengtai red-faced and speechless. He gritted his teeth while saying, "Yan Cangtian, matters of me, the v-vice-director, don't concern you!"
"Yo, yo, yo! Quite the audacity! Even Mu Yunsang, that old fellow, addresses me respectfully as Elder Yan when speaking to me. What makes you think you're anything special?"
Yan Cangtian glared at Tong Chengtai askew, causing him to shrink back and not dare to utter another word.
"Old lunatic, you’re utterly unreasonable!"
Tong Chengtai waved his sleeve while saying, "This is my residence. If there's nothing else, please leave quickly and don't disturb my rest!"
"Yoho, you've done something deceitful, and you can still sleep soundly?" Yan Cangtian casually pulled over a chair, sat down with his legs crossed, squinted at Tong Chengtai, and lazily said, "A wise man speaks clearly. Today, I'm here to have you rectify the altered grades!"
"Hmph, impossible!" Tong Chengtai's face was as stoic as a rock. "The grades have already been sealed. They'll be released tomorrow as is, with no further alterations."
"Is that so?" Yan Cangtian's lips curved into a slight smile. "Well, I’m sorry to trouble you to stay up all night to make some adjustments."
"You won't succeed! I won't make any further changes!" Tong Chengtai's tone was resolute, as firm as a rock.
"I'm afraid you will!"
Yan Cangtian's gaze turned cold, and his imposing aura swept over the surroundings in an instant.
"H-Half-step emperor!"
Tong Chengtai trembled all over. Over a decade ago, before Yan Cangtian went mad, he was only at the king-tier level. Tong Chengtai couldn't believe that Yan Cangtian had already reached the level of a half-step emperor in just a few years.
"It’s good that you’ve realized!" Yan Cangtian's figure flashed and he directly pressed down on Tong Chengtai's shoulder. "So, are you going to make the changes or not?"
"Hahaha, you're hilarious!" Tong Chengtai couldn't help but burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Yan Cangtian, others might fear you, but I don't. Everyone knows your martial prowess fluctuates. If you have the guts, kill me now. If you wait until your martial prowess fades away, hmph!"
"Martial prowess fades away?" Yan Cangtian raised his hand and delivered a resounding slap across Tong Chengtai's old face.
"Let me tell you, my martial prowess will never fade away! And, hasn't anyone told you that that kid Ling Feng is under my protection?"
Tong Chengtai was left dizzy from the slap. He had lived for quite some time and climbed to his current position where even the director and even the emperor of the empire would show him respect.
Yet, Yan Cangtian dared to slap him!
"Yan Cangtian, y-you!" Tong Chengtai stared at Yan Cangtian fiercely, his old face contorted. "I'll fight you to the end!"
Another slap was delivered, and Tong Chengtai spun like a top, crazily rotating in place for several rounds.
Although this old man was quite old, his body was still quite sturdy. After spinning so many times, he wasn't even dizzy.
Just as Tong Chengtai stopped spinning, Yan Cangtian, with slow movements, slapped him again and again, causing stars to dance before his eyes.
"So, will you, Vice-director Tong, go and modify the final grades now?"
Yan Cangtian squinted, flashing a smirk at Tong Chengtai. However, to Tong Chengtai, this smiling face seemed devilish!
"I-I..." Tong Chengtai was furious, but before he could finish his words, Yan Cangtian interrupted.
"Old Tong, my advice is that you better think carefully before you answer. Now, after being slapped a few times, once the swelling goes down in the morning, you can still face people. But if you continue to be ungrateful, I'll take severe measures. By then, you'll be swollen like a pig's head. How will you face people during the day? The name 'Pigheaded Director' will surely resonate throughout Tianwei Academy."
Tong Chengtai cared about his reputation. If he was really called 'Pigheaded Director' by the students in the future, he might have to hide and never show his face again.
"I-I will do what you want!"
Tong Chengtai hung his head dejectedly, like a defeated rooster, no longer daring to defy Yan Cangtian's will.