Zu An’s heart skipped a beat. He finally understood why she had wanted to taste his blood.
Jiang Luofu closed her eyes, seemingly considering her options. She took her time, then breathed out deeply and asked, “Who else knows about this?”
Zu An subconsciously took a step back. “Don’t mess around. I’ll have you know that quite a few people know about this. My wife, my father-in-law, and my mother-in-law are all aware of this. There are many people who have my back…”
Seeing Zu An’s guarded appearance, Jiang Luofu burst into laughter, banishing the chill in the air that had been ever-present since Zu An entered the office. “Little brat, are you worried that I’ll take your life? Given how you willingly bore the reputation of a wastrel for so many years, you must be aiming for something huge. Someone that determined wouldn’t tell such a massive secret to anyone, not even your own wife.”
Seeing Jiang Luofu’s confidence, Zu An knew that his scam had failed. So, he bucked up his courage and replied, “Fine, you’re right. I have never told anyone about this. But remember, many people know that I have come to your office today. If anything happens to me, those of the Chu clan will surely hunt you down!”
“Enough, enough!” Jiang Luofu’s head was starting to hurt from all his shouting. She massaged her temples with her thumbs. “Who said that I’m going to kill you?”
“If you aren’t, why are you asking me about all this?” Zu An was so worried that she would make a move against him that he had even summoned the Heiress Ball of Delights in secret. If it came to that, he was willing to wager his own life against hers. As long as he was able to effectively use the Heiress Ball of Delights in tandem with the Poisonous Prick, he might just be able to turn the tables on her.
“I just want to warn you that you’re still too weak at the moment. If others were to learn of your transcendent class talent, it would spell disaster for you,” Jiang Luofu said.
Zu An was stunned. “Is my situation that serious?”
Jiang Luofu rolled her eyes. “All this while, the transcendent class talent has existed as nothing more than a legend. No one has ever witnessed it before. What do you think?”
Fearing that Zu An wouldn’t understand the severity of this matter, she spelled out the dangers facing him explicitly. “A cultivator possessing a transcendent class talent would be coveted by every powerful faction. If they are unable to win you over to their side, their next move will be to destroy you. No matter what, no side could afford to allow a rival power to groom a cultivator that holds as much potential as you do. Furthermore, it’s said that the blood of a human who possesses transcendent class talent can be used to…”
Jiang Luofu’s face flushed a little. “In any case, until you’re strong enough to protect yourself, it’s best for you to keep your true nature under wraps.”
Zu An swallowed as he finally understood the implications of his maxed-out talent. “In other words, I’m like Tripitaka now?”[2]
“Tripitaka? What’s that?” Jiang Luofu was perplexed.
Zu An quickly changed the subject. “There were at least a dozen people who witnessed my aptitude test earlier. What if they were to spread the word?”
Jiang Luofu shook her head in response. “There’s no need to worry. Transcendent class talent is, after all, no more than a legend in this present age. It’s not something ordinary cultivators would even consider. Besides, you have done well keeping up the pretense of a wastrel over the years, so it’s unlikely that anyone would question your true nature. I’ll erase the relevant records for you, but you’ll have to make sure to keep a low profile too. Give it some time, and everyone will forget about it soon enough.”
Zu An nodded earnestly. “Thank you, principal.”
There was a moment’s silence, then he asked hesitantly, “Principal, why are you treating me so well?”
Jiang Luofu looked at him impassively. “As the principal of Brightmoon Academy, it’s my responsibility to protect each and every single one of my students.”
“That’s all?” Zu An narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“What else do you expect?” Jiang Luofu’s gaze turned cold. “You can’t be thinking that I’m fond of you because of your looks, can you?”
Zu An nodded. “I think that reason is much more convincing.”
Jiang Luofu stared at him for a long while. “It’s truly a miracle that you’ve managed to survive all along,” she observed in wonder.
1. SOH CAH TOA is a helpful mnemonic phrase used to remember the formulae for trigonometric functions, which is ubiquitously taught in schools.
2. Tripitaka, also known as Tang Sanzang, is a Buddhist monk and main character in Journey to the West. He is personally helpless in defending himself, and relies on three supernatural beings to escort him on his journey.