Hogwarts: A Chinese-Style Professor

Chapter 285 This courage arose because of you
"Turbulence is coming! I even have a feeling that although this turmoil isn't terrifying, the chaos it will cause will far exceed anything before! Even in the likes of Tang."

Slughorn abruptly stopped.

He realized that he had inadvertently said too much in an attempt to show off his knowledge in front of Li Wei.

"You seem to have more foresight than I thought."

Li Wei raised his eyebrows and glanced at the fat sea lion in front of him, his expression becoming more serious.

He was probably fooled by the other party's humorous appearance—although he was a bit of a slacker, the other party still had some skills—at least in terms of quick wit, he was indeed very good at it.

“No, no—”

When Slughorn heard Levi praise him, he stood up excitedly, gesturing wildly. Then, his expression immediately changed, and he said solemnly:

"So, no matter why you came to me today, I'm afraid you'll all be disappointed—I have no intention of joining this turmoil for the time being."

Dumbledore quietly took a sip of his red tea, covered his face, and didn't rush to speak.

Li Wei looked at Slughorn and calmly said the words that almost made Dumbledore spit out his tea:
"Actually, we're not that familiar with each other, so I'll just be frank."

???

Dumbledore and Slughorn stared in shock at Levi, who had uttered such words.

He simply looked calmly at Slughorn and continued:
“I guess you want a peaceful life, or you miss the feeling of being respected and influential, instead of having to hide like this now—it doesn’t matter.”

"N-nothing?" Slughorn's face visibly flushed.

"Yes, because whatever kind of life you want to live, you can actually achieve it—the difference lies only in your choice."

"Yes—yes, I'm just tired right now and want to rest for a bit."

Slughorn's expression softened slightly as he spoke with difficulty, his hands already nervously clasped together.

"Think whatever you want—I just hope you can offer us a little help—answer one question."

The rest is up to you—if you want to go back to teaching at Hogwarts, I think Dumbledore would agree.”

Dumbledore nodded calmly in response to Slughorn's gaze.

"Answer one question—it's that simple? Ha—haha—you should have said so earlier—"

Slughorn broke out in a cold sweat—he had a premonition that this was a question he absolutely did not want to answer.

But for some reason, he suddenly felt that the auras of the two people sitting opposite him were getting stronger and stronger, gradually making it hard for him to breathe.

Slughorn was certain that they were simply sitting there, without using any magic.

In fact, they had removed some kind of cover from themselves. But what shocked Slughorn the most was that the threat they posed was almost the same? Or rather, he couldn't feel any difference at all.

Merlin's beard! Such a young legendary wizard?

Slughorn stared wide-eyed at Levi, listening as he continued:

"Answer my question—you will have the choice of what kind of life you want to live from now on."

This time he fully understood what Li Wei meant—as long as the deal was reached, he would no longer need to worry about his safety if he wanted to.

Because at this moment, Hogwarts has two living legends in charge!
"What—what do you want to ask me?"

Slughorn swallowed subconsciously and asked hesitantly.

The next moment—his heart clenched tightly at the words Li Wei uttered!

"Hornet—"

I knew it! Dumbledore was suspicious of me after all!

Slughorn cried out inwardly, while Levi's voice continued.

He calmly gazed at the shaken Slughorn and counted on his fingers:
“We have destroyed four, and we know the location of the fifth Horcrux—Dumbledore guesses there will be seven Horcruxes in total. We came to you just to verify this.”

"Is that so? But what does this have to do with me? You don't actually think I taught the Dark Lord how to make Horcruxes, do you? That's a huge misunderstanding."

"I never said that the owner of this Horcrux was the mysterious person."

Slughorn was stunned.

A suffocating silence fell over the room.

Slughorn did consider escaping—but before the thought even crossed his mind, he despairingly realized it was utterly impossible.

Moreover, he was unwilling to run away from Li Wei, especially in the current situation.
"You've destroyed four already? Impressive—ha—it seems the mysterious man poses no threat to you anymore."

In the suffocating silence and pressure, Slughorn managed to speak.

But Livy and Dumbledore just looked at him.

"I—I'm just an old woman whose hands and feet have become clumsy; you shouldn't force me."

Slughorn's voice trembled, but his eyes gleamed—Dumbledore captured this moment perfectly, inwardly marveling.
"We just need to confirm the quantity—that way we can make sure everything goes perfectly, right?"

Levi looked at Slughorn and continued speaking.

Slughorn's face grew even paler, and his forehead was glistening with sweat.

"You're forcing me to take sides—if I tell you that."

Slughorn choked.

Li Wei then continued:
"Voldemort isn't scary at all—"

Slughorn's body trembled.

"Not to mention the slim chances of him returning—even if he did return, you would not be in any danger."

"Yes—and you can continue to run the club, you can continue to invite talented young people—you've always had a good eye, haven't you? But the current Hogwarts might dazzle you."

"I hope you won't be too greedy, Horace. I'm worried you might try to catch all the students in all seven grades."

Dumbledore continued, picking up where Livy left off.

He knew that Slughorn's resolve had wavered; he was just after some benefits—but when did it begin? Only after they started talking about the Horcruxes?

It's likely that the other party had already anticipated all of this when he and Li Wei stood here together.

"Okay—okay—but I have one request:"
After I tell you, you must share the progress of this matter with me.

Livy looked at Dumbledore, signaling him to make the decision.

“Of course, I completely agree—Horace, your joining us is undoubtedly a powerful asset.”

Slughorn's expression softened.

Then, very slowly, he reached into his pocket, pulled out his wand, and with his other hand, took out a small empty bottle from his cloak.

He stared at Levi, pressed the tip of his wand to his temple, and then removed it.

The tip of the cane trailed a long, silvery thread of memory.

It stretched longer and longer until it finally broke, its silvery light shimmering as it floated on the tip of the staff.

Slughorn put it into the bottle, and the silver threads curled up, then unfurled, swirling like gas.

With trembling hands, he tightened the bottle cap and handed it to Li Wei.

"This courage arose because of you—Li Wei. I wish it had been you standing by my side back then. If you had, perhaps many things would not have happened."

(End of this chapter)