Mr. Zhong Nan was conducting the monthly assessment for Chai Haifu and the other two.
Apart from the sounds coming from the Martial Arts Arena, the onlookers around, be it the tutor or the students of Tianyi Academy, were all so shocked that they couldn’t speak.
They gazed at Shen Han, as if trying to discern some clue from him.
A student from the academy actually bested the tutor in the monthly assessment...
This kind of thing wasn’t unprecedented.
But in the past, it was mostly because the tutor had intentionally gone easy on the student.
However, in the clash between Shen Han and Dugu Tian, Dugu Tian had no intention of holding back.
At most, Dugu Tian was a bit overconfident.
At this moment, various thoughts sprang up in the minds of the onlookers.
Seeing Shen Han’s performance, everyone couldn’t help but think of Shen Ye.
As some people regained their composure, they began to whisper.
"Are there really that many geniuses among the Shen Family’s descendants...
After Shen Ye, is there going to be another Shen Han today..."
Before the voice had even faded, a fellow student beside him chimed in, "Not just that, I heard there’s also a young Shen Ao, with exceptional scholarly talent, who is highly regarded at the Mountain Sea Academy..."
"Do you think Shen Han might even be stronger than Shen Ye?
Though Dugu Tian is disliked, he is nevertheless a Fifth Grade expert. For Shen Han to defeat him, doesn’t that imply he has Fifth Grade strength?"
The crowd exchanged remarks, their praise for Shen Han growing increasingly effusive.
Standing nearby, Qiu Shuyin listened, yet found it somewhat unbearable.
In truth, she had quite a favorable impression of Shen Han, and today’s battle indeed showed that Shen Han possessed some skill.
But the crowd’s understanding of Shen Ye was really too limited, and their evaluation too low.
To think that based on this, they concluded Shen Han might be more formidable than Shen Ye...
"To be able to say such things, you must have never met Shen Ye, right?"
Qiu Shuyin spoke up, and the few who were speaking just now pursed their lips, hesitant to continue.
She was a student who came from the Mountain Sea Academy, and of a somewhat distinguished background.
As for Shen Ye, Qiu Shuyin indeed had a better understanding.
Hearing her speak so highly of Shen Ye, although everyone felt uncomfortable, they could only remain silent and listen to her.
"Dugu Tian is indeed a Fifth Grade expert, that fact is true, but do you think he really used his full Fifth Grade strength?"
Qiu Shuyin looked at the crowd, mildly proud.
These fellow students, were merely people who looked at the surface of things.
"Dugu Tian holds Tianyi Academy in such contempt, yet he still comes to teach, do you not know the reason behind it?
His meridians are in turmoil, he requires daily ingestion of pills to maintain his body.
How much strength do you think someone with disordered meridians can exert?"
After Qiu Shuyin finished speaking, she again cast her gaze towards the crowd.
This time, the crowd was indeed not as enthusiastic as before.
Disordered meridians, this issue could be serious or minor.
For Dugu Tian to take pills daily to suppress it, the problem must be rather severe.
With this physical condition, being able to exert even fifty percent of his strength would be a lot...
Perhaps not even fifty percent...
When calculated like this, Shen Han’s performance just now wasn’t as astounding as imagined.
Seeing this, Qiu Shuyin spoke once more.
"The Shen Ye you mentioned earlier could, with his own Sixth Grade strength, overcome Dugu Tian in his peak state.
Don’t think Shen Ye is only a famed name, his talent and potential are a notch above his reputation."
Upon hearing Qiu Shuyin speak like this, the crowd felt increasingly uncomfortable.
Because of Shen Han’s performance, everyone was greatly inspired.
But before even a full two-hour period had passed, a bucket of cold water was poured over them.
After the assessment, Mr. Zhong Nan announced in front of everyone that Shen Han and the other three all passed the assessment.
Due to Dugu Tian’s unwell condition, for the Secret Realm training next month,
the four would be assigned to his team to venture out together.
As the assessment concluded, the crowd in the Martial Arts Arena gradually dispersed.
The originally mundane monthly assessment was typically unexciting.
With tutors usually just going through the motions, it lacked some excitement.
But today, as everyone left the Martial Arts Arena, they were all discussing it.
...
Capital City, Prince Qingyuan’s Mansion.
The matters at Tianyi Academy reached the ears of Prince Qingyuan in less than a quarter of an hour.
Upon hearing this news, the usually calm Prince Qingyuan couldn’t help but clap his hands, a hint of excitement on his face.
"This is truly one surprise after another.
I originally thought that being able to surpass Qianmu Fan was already the limit for that child Shen Han.
Unexpectedly, even Dugu Tian was defeated."
The tone carried a hint of delight; just by listening to Prince Qingyuan’s words, one could feel his mood.
Speaking, Prince Qingyuan seemed a bit incredulous and confirmed once again.
"Uncle Fu, is it confirmed that Dugu Tian was really defeated, and injured at that?"
The hunched old man referred to as Uncle Fu nodded, "This old man’s eyes may be dim, but it’s impossible for everyone below to be seeing things.
Mr. Dugu was knocked to the ground at the time, suffering several sword wounds, and coughed up blood.
The crowd saw it clearly."
Upon hearing this, Prince Qingyuan couldn’t help but frown, "For him to be injured so severely? Shouldn’t be, right?"
Hearing Prince Qingyuan’s question, the hunched old man understood what he was puzzling over.
"In this old servant’s opinion, Mr. Dugu’s injury is not severe, likely not harming the essentials.
Mr. Dugu’s current strength has decreased significantly due to the disorder in his meridians, but ultimately his physical resilience remains.
Losing to the student might have hurt his pride, causing his energy and blood to surge, resulting in him spitting blood."
These words somewhat aligned with what Prince Qingyuan thought.
Nodding, Prince Qingyuan also agreed with this reasoning.
"Since the injury isn’t serious, there’s no need to bother with it; just arrange for a physician to care for him."
After saying that, Prince Qingyuan looked towards Uncle Fu again.
"Now that Dugu Tian is injured, Shen Han likely has no tutor. Uncle Fu, who do you think is suitable from the Academy?"
The hunched elder saluted: "In the Martial Arts Arena, that child Shen Han has already found himself a tutor, it’s Zhong Nan, Mr. Zhong."
Upon hearing this name, Prince Qingyuan couldn’t help but frown.
It was somewhat different from what he had in mind.
"Alright then, Uncle Fu, invite Mr. Zhong to the Prince Mansion for a visit, I wish to have a drink and talk with him."
Shen Han was originally just a casual move, but now his potential is becoming more apparent.
Prince Qingyuan, being skilled at strategy, knew that this was the time to invest some attention.
Around 5:00 PM, Mr. Zhong arrived for the appointment.
Though spring had already begun, it was still getting dark quite early.
The banquet was set up in the pavilion within the Prince Mansion, where Prince Qingyuan had specially brought out his treasured wine.
The mere fragrance of the wine indicated its exceptional quality.
But Prince Qingyuan’s hospitality made Mr. Zhong somewhat uneasy.
There are differences in status, with Prince Qingyuan being of noble rank.
For him to treat one with such courtesy, there must be something behind it...
Mr. Zhong, not being an inexperienced youth, well understood the ways of the world.
The more it seemed this way, the more likely there was a trap.
"Mr. Zhong, were you at the Martial Arts Arena today?"
"Replying to His Highness, as the tutor, of course I was there."
"How do you see the performance of that child Shen Han today?"
It was just as he thought; they wanted to discuss Shen Han.
Before coming, Zhong Nan had already suspected as much.
By now, Zhong Nan also knew of Shen Han’s background.
Shen Han is of the Shen Family, shows great potential, and it is heard that he has some disputes with the Shen Family.
Presumably, many would have designs on Shen Han.
"That child Shen Han, today was also my first time meeting him.
However, upon first meeting, his performance was indeed impressive.
His swordsmanship is outstanding, not to mention his spiritual power, which is exceedingly strong, even vaguely surpassing the spiritual power of a Seventh Grade scholar."
Zhong Nan mentioned only what everyone could see, laying it bare.
Hearing this assessment from Zhong Nan, Prince Qingyuan nodded in even greater satisfaction.
"To be honest, I was the one who invited Shen Han to the Academy.
Previously placing him under Dugu Tian was intended as training, but little did I expect this child’s talent to be beyond expectations.
Now, with Dugu Tian injured, I wish to have him study under you, Mr. Zhong."
With these words, having Zhong Nan take in Shen Han became a favor from Prince Qingyuan.
However, Mr. Zhong did not plan to contest this, raising his glass he said: "Rest assured, Your Highness, as a tutor at Tianyi Academy.
I conscientiously guide the students.
I won’t treat my students harshly like some others.
I, Zhong Nan, may not be extremely capable, but my temperament and morals will not be as filthy as some others."
After speaking, Zhong Nan drank the wine in one gulp.
Once the glass was emptied, Prince Qingyuan smiled and beckoned for the maid to pour Zhong Nan another glass of wine.
Then he continued, "Mr. Zhong, besides teaching Shen Han well, I may need your help with something else.
Over the years, the Shen Family has treated this child harshly, even endangering his life.
After all, he is still a child, and might not fully understand the Shen Family’s methods. I would ask that you help him understand more thoroughly..."
Upon hearing this, Mr. Zhong withdrew the hand that was about to pick up the wine glass.
No wonder the good wine was served, and the feast was abundant.
"Mr. Zhong..."
Prince Qingyuan addressed him again as Mr. Zhong.
But this time, before Prince Qingyuan could continue, Zhong Nan stood up and saluted him.
"Your Highness, as a tutor at Tianyi Academy.
Since I’ve taken on the title of tutor, I must uphold the duties of this position.
Cultivating students to become talents is the responsibility of us teachers, and if there is anything incorrect, I naturally ask for Your Highness’ guidance.
But if I were to, under the guise of being a tutor, do things harmful to my students.
I’m sorry, but I, Zhong Nan, truly can’t do such a thing."
Upon finishing, Mr. Zhong did not wait for Prince Qingyuan’s response, got up and left the table.
In fact, Mr. Zhong was quite fond of wine, but he had his principles.
What Prince Qingyuan wanted was for Zhong Nan to instill hatred towards the Shen Family in Shen Han.
Zhong Nan was not familiar with Shen Han, nor did he know what grievances existed between him and the Shen Family.
But Zhong Nan was very clear that deliberately guiding Shen Han to resent the Shen Family would be leading him into a pitfall.
The Shen Family’s current power is vast and growing.
Leading Shen Han to oppose the Shen Family, wouldn’t that be causing him harm?

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