“Please, both of you, have some tea and calm down.”
Inside the simple and tidy reception room, the Old Headmaster gestured with his hand, signaling his assistant to serve a cup of clear tea to each of the two people sitting over ten meters apart.
Hmph—
Nan Xi and Huazhu each let out a cold snort, though they did not continue their bickering. It could be considered giving the Old Headmaster a bit of face.
The disciples from both sides stood quietly behind their respective masters. While they didn’t shout insults, they didn’t offer any friendly expressions either.
As for the matter of the banner that had caused such a heated argument earlier, the Principal had finally come up with a solution.
Since they couldn’t agree on which name went on top or bottom, they would simply arrange them side-by-side.
Thus, above the main entrance of the village school, the left side now read: [A Warm Welcome to the Teachers and Students of the Tianhe Sect for Visiting and Providing Guidance], while the right side read: [A Warm Welcome to the Teachers and Students of the Wuxing Sect for Visiting and Providing Guidance]. The horizontal header in the center read: [Daye Village School].
It looked somewhat decent.
The only issue was that the banner itself was written horizontally, so after being hung vertically, one had to tilt their head to read it, which was a bit of a hassle. But regardless, any method that satisfied both parties was a good method.
The Principal breathed a secret sigh of relief, then looked up with a smile at Nan Xi and Huazhu.
“Both sects are honored guests of our Daye Village School. The Tianhe Sect is renowned for its literary and military prowess, as well as its strategic planning; the Wuxing Sect is known for its enterprising spirit and for being a pioneer in all endeavors. Meeting here today is a stroke of fate. Why not temporarily set aside your grievances and discuss the great matters of the future with this old man?”
“What a wonderful stroke of fate,” Huazhu said disdainfully. “I’d rather not have this fate at all.”
“As if anyone wanted to meet you.”
“What a joke! The people who want to see this young lady would form a line from the Vermilion Bird Hall all the way to the entrance of the Azure Dragon Hall, and they’d have to loop around the Black Tortoise Hall three times in between. Who do you think you are, being so ungrateful?”
Huazhu tilted her youthful, beautiful face upward, her chin nearly pointing at Nan Xi.
Vermilion Bird Hall?
Nan Xi keenly caught the keyword in Huazhu’s words. In his memory, the Hall Master of the Vermilion Bird Hall was originally an old woman with a terrible temper. Now, she had been replaced by this young girl with an equally terrible temper…
‘Well, I suppose it runs in the family.’
However, to be able to become the Hall Master of the Vermilion Bird Hall at her age, Nan Xi had to admit that Huazhu was likely more than just a pretty face.
Fine, he would stop arguing with her for now.
Nan Xi picked up the clear tea beside him, used the lid to skim the foam from the surface, took a small sip, and turned his gaze toward the Old Headmaster.
“Principal, let’s talk about the arrangements for the future.”
“Since Peak Master Nan Xi says so, then this old man won’t beat around the bush.”
The Old Headmaster chuckled, lightly stroking his white beard.
“According to our arrangements, this afternoon, we will set up two promotional events in the school’s Lecture Hall and the Martial Arts Field. These will be used for sect exchange and martial arts sparring, respectively. At that time, your two sects can choose which side to visit first. Once your work there is finished, you can switch locations. What do you two think?”
After speaking, the Old Headmaster felt a surge of secret joy.
He was lucky he had thought ahead to separate the promotional events between the Lecture Hall and the Martial Arts Field. This would allow these two rivals to stay apart for a while. If they were forced together again, they might actually start a fight on the spot.
‘The plan is perfect!’
“Acceptable.”
“I have no objections.”
Seeing that both Nan Xi and Huazhu agreed to the plan, the Principal’s internal delight became even harder to suppress.
“Good, good, good. I will arrange for people to lead you to your corresponding venues immediately. I wonder, where do the two of you wish to go first?”
“”The Lecture Hall.””
The two spoke in unison, then immediately froze, their gazes locking in mid-air once again.
In the next second—
“”Let’s switch to the Martial Arts Field.””
“…”
Even their changes were exactly the same!?
Nan Xi and Huazhu stared at each other, both seemingly catching a glimpse of embarrassment in the other’s eyes.
A dreadful silence spread through the reception room.
Not only the Old Headmaster, but even the disciples standing behind the two masters struggled to keep their expressions neutral.
Out of respect for their masters’ dignity, however, they ultimately chose to remain silent.
“This… this…”
The Old Headmaster rubbed his hands together, his gaze shifting between Nan Xi and Huazhu with increased awkwardness. ‘With this much chemistry, you two might as well just do the promotion together.’
“Fine, we’ll go to the Lecture Hall first.”
Nan Xi waved his hand, giving up on the bickering. If they kept fighting, it would never end.
“Uh, then we’ll go to the Martial Arts Field.”
Huazhu gave a soft grunt and looked away, not daring to meet Nan Xi’s eyes. It might have been an illusion, but the moment she looked away, a rare flash of crimson appeared on her beautiful face.
“Hehe, as long as the two of you have decided, that’s fine.” The Principal rubbed the few remaining hairs on his head and commented subconsciously, “I must say, you two really do have a connection. Both of you are famous alumni of Daye Village School, yet you’ve returned on the same day to give your presentations.”
‘Famous for what? Being an alumnus how?’
Nan Xi grumbled inwardly. He had left Daye Village School under what was essentially a semi-expulsion; could he really be considered a famous alumnus?
A moment later, he suddenly realized something was off.
“Principal, are you saying… this ice melon also graduated from Daye Village School?”
“Uh…”
“Who are you calling an ice melon!”
Huazhu snapped at Nan Xi, her cheeks puffing out like an angry pufferfish.
“I’m talking about you, ice melon. With that cold face, you’re like a big ice melon, but when cut open, you’re actually a spicy chili pepper—exploding at the slightest touch,” Nan Xi said bluntly.
Incited by Nan Xi’s words, Huazhu grew truly furious. She pointed at him, her voice trembling with rage.
“You, you, you, you, you, you…”
“Me what? My name is Nan Xi, though if you’re willing to surrender and call me Daddy, that would be fine too.”
“I… You… You’re a big jerk!”
“Honey, when you curse, it sounds like you’re flirting.”
???????
Everyone present turned their gaze toward Nan Xi.
His final sentence had completely ended the contest. Huazhu’s delicate face turned bright red, and she slumped into her chair, stammering without being able to form a word.
As for the culprit himself?
He remained leisurely seated, lightly clinking the tea lid against the cup before taking a final sip.
Ah, good tea.
Seeing the situation spiraling out of control again, the Principal hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over.
“Cough, cough. Our staff is ready. We will arrange for everyone to head to their respective venues now.”
“Thank you for the arrangements, Principal.” Nan Xi cupped his hands in a respectful gesture toward the Principal.
“Good, good. There will be people from other sects arriving later as well. At that time, I hope everyone can get along well.”
“There are more coming?” Nan Xi was stunned.
But before his voice could fade, a burst of hearty laughter echoed from the entrance of the reception room.
“Hahaha! I am Luo Lin, from Cloud Pleat Valley in Dong Qing Prefecture! My favorite type is blonde, beast-eared little girls. I hope we can all get along!”
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