Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

"Ten years of hard study can be wasted after just two months of listening to Mr. Gu's lectures. You need someone to take responsibility for that. Brother Yan's knowledge is truly solid and solid."

Yan Mingli was furious after hearing this sarcastic remark. He had become the scapegoat, but which student present did not benefit from it?

Could it be that someone would actually be willing to listen to this unknown, inexperienced Mr. Gu give a lecture?

He immediately looked in the direction of the sound.

The boy sitting in the corner leaned casually against the desk, slowly taking out a calligraphy brush from the pen holder, holding the wolf-hair brush as if to tell Yan Mingli that he was the one who did what happened before.

The boy stared at him with dark eyes, a faint, slightly provocative smile playing on his lips. "If Mr. Gu grants your wish and doesn't force you to stay in Sidingzhai, but you still fail the exam, who do you plan to blame?"

"Is the teaching at Guaisongjian Academy ineffective?"

"Is it your parents' fault for not giving you a good brain?"

Qin Ji's words were not only venomous but also incredibly sarcastic, causing many students to burst into laughter.

Of course, there was also a small group of students who shared the same thoughts as Yan Mingli, and they couldn't help but feel that they were being criticized along with him.

A student who was on good terms with Yan Mingli couldn't help but speak up: "Brother, you are mistaken. We were doing well in our original study, and it's only natural that we feel uneasy about being transferred here to listen to Mr. Gu's lectures for no reason."

"Brother Yan's words were harsh and disrespectful to the teacher, which was indeed inappropriate. But regardless, he was thinking of everyone. Your words are rather harsh..."

Before he finished speaking, Qin Ji's gaze swept over them indifferently. It was not fierce, but it was as if he were looking down on them, with a calmness that seemed to understand people's hearts and a certain indescribable sense of oppression.

The student felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively avoided Qin Ji's gaze.

The boy seemed to see right through him, revealing his tendency to follow the crowd and his cowardice in fearing responsibility.

For some reason, he didn't dare to meet the boy's gaze.

This young man's overall demeanor is unlike that of an ordinary person; he is very likely of extraordinary birth.

"For everyone's sake?" Qin Ji scoffed. "Isn't it because you lack knowledge and have absolutely no confidence that you blame heaven, earth, your parents, your environment, and your teachers, but never look for the cause within yourself?"

Qin Ji pursed his lips and commented, "A bunch of good-for-nothings, do they even deserve to listen to Mr. Gu's lecture?"

The students: "..." Why is this being used to generalize?

No, Mr. Gu has only been here for a day, yet he already has students who sincerely follow him?

Although it was heartwarming to see his junior disciple stand up for him, the more he said, the more absurd it sounded, causing Jiang Jibai to frown slightly.

Not wanting to reprimand his junior disciple in public and hurt his protective instincts, he turned his gaze to the junior disciple's face, placing his hand on his waist, a gesture full of implications.

Qin Ji knew that his actions today were somewhat out of line, unbecoming of the state and lacking in manners. Most of his words were venting his emotions, but he could not bear to see his respected teacher being humiliated in this way.

Receiving Jiang Jibai's gaze, he glanced at the teacher's hand on the ornament, his eyes flashed, and he looked away to avoid eye contact, continuing to output.

This time, at least the explanation was a bit gentler: "The imperial examinations are just around the corner. Why did the headmaster transfer you all to the Sidingzhai? Is it just for a new teacher that he's going to ruin the studies of so many of you?"

"To resist before even trying; to question before even seeing the results—this is utterly disrespectful to Mr. Gu."

"Is this for everyone's benefit? Or is it just a fear of change and a lack of confidence in what you've learned?"

"Even if you have actually listened to Mr. Gu's lectures, I would still consider that you have made a comparison and made a judgment based on your own responsibility."

Qin Ji raised an eyebrow and looked at Yan Mingli. "Yan Mingli, Yan Mingli, you disrespect your teachers and elders, and you are unreasonable. With such a character, do you live up to the expectations of the elders who gave you this name?"

"I think you might as well not take the imperial examination. You lack the knowledge and the character." Qin Ji waved his hand, a disdainful smile playing on his lips. "You won't pass."

The younger disciple's words became increasingly outrageous, so Jiang Jibai tapped his palm with his book, his eyes turning slightly cold, and reminded him, "Student Li, watch your words."

Qin Ji said he had already said everything and shut his mouth indifferently.

He does lack talent, but he also doesn't just look after just anyone.

If Yan Mingli were to appear on the list of candidates for the palace examination, he would be eliminated.

Yan Mingli was unaware that his future had already been sealed.

As a substitute who was also caught up in this undeserved disaster, he really couldn't understand why this person would go against him, especially when public opinion was leaning towards questioning Mr. Gu.

This person's vicious curse of failing the exam is simply intolerable.

He was so angry his face turned red. "Aren't you also a substitute who's just come to Sidingzhai for the first time? You've only ever heard Mr. Gu lecture?"

"How could a nobody like him possibly compare to Mr. Wang from Chenjiazhai?"

"Mr. Wang taught at Songjian Academy for more than 30 years and was highly regarded. He taught two Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) and seven Juren (successful candidates in the provincial imperial examinations)."

"Why should I listen to this guy surnamed Gu's lecture when I can listen to Mr. Wang's lectures?"

"Is it because he intimidated the students the very next day by beating up most of them?"

"You're always defending him, who knows if you're a shill hired by this guy surnamed Gu? Did you take money from him?"

The man kept mentioning the surname Gu, which made Qin Ji's anger flare up. His eyes darkened, and he gripped the brush in his hand, about to teach Yan Mingli another lesson.

Before anything could be done, another dignified voice rang out from the front, "Brother Yan's words are biased. I listened to Mr. Gu's lecture yesterday. His knowledge is profound and as deep as the sea, and I have gained a lot from it. He is no less than Mr. Wang."

"Furthermore, learning knows no age; those who are accomplished are teachers. How can we judge Mr. Gu's abilities solely based on age and reputation?"

Fu Xingjian stood up, bowed to Jiang Jibai, and said respectfully, "I am willing to stay in the Sidingzhai to listen to Mr. Gu's lectures."

Fu Xingjian was a highly praised figure among the teachers of Songjian Academy and one of the most promising candidates to pass the imperial examination. He was an upright man who never spoke falsely. The fact that he praised a new teacher so highly caused a great uproar among the students.

Many people began asking those who had attended the lecture yesterday, "Is what Fu Xingjian said true? Is this Mr. Gu really that amazing?"

...

Second update delivered! I've actually achieved my goal. I'll continue with double updates tomorrow. Love you all.

I rushed and finally made it! I almost missed the deadline, boohoo~