Chapter 43: The Minister No Longer Wears Skirts

The calm words seemed to carry a strange, hypnotic power, silencing the noisy discussions in the sparring arena within a moment and effectively curbing the escalating situation.

Witnessing this familiar scene, Qin Zhe raised an eyebrow slightly and looked up at the night sky.

Beneath the night sky, Liu Qingzhi stood suspended in mid-air, dressed in simple sportswear, her expression detached and serene.

"Liu Qingzhi? That woman hasn't been to the academy in a while; finally deigned to show her face?"

Yao Jing's eyes lit up, and she opened her mouth to shout something, but seeing the hard-earned stability of the situation, she reluctantly suppressed the urge to stir up trouble.

Glancing at Yao Jing's expression, which looked suspiciously like she had just seen her lover, Qin Zhe couldn't help but roll his eyes.

Fairness compelled him to admit that after not seeing the Department Head for a while, he did miss her to some extent.

Compared to Yao Jing, who looked ready to pounce and devour Liu Qingzhi whole, however, his own demeanor as a Disciplinary Department member felt entirely inadequate and rather lackluster.

"Regarding this incident, the Disciplinary Department will conduct a separate review afterward and provide everyone with an explanation, which will then be made public through the News Department's academy gazette."

Liu Qingzhi spoke again from above the sparring arena, casting a glance across the plaza before adding.

"Before the official announcement, I do not wish to see anyone in the academy spreading rumors or stirring up trouble. Anyone caught will be dealt with severely. That is all. You are now dismissed."

One had to admit that in extraordinary situations, Liu Qingzhi's influence was virtually unrivaled.

With just a few simple words, the students on the scene immediately began to disperse in an orderly fashion, as if rehearsed beforehand, without the slightest chaos.

While murmurs of discussion still remained, they were reined in significantly on all fronts.

At the same time, with Liu Qingzhi acting as their backbone, the present members of the Disciplinary Department quickly scattered across the arena to maintain order.

Catching sight of this, Qin Zhe readied himself to pitch in without much thought.

Since all the Disciplinary Department personnel were moving, he couldn't just stand there like a wooden post, could he?

Before Qin Zhe could take a step, however, Liu Qingzhi glided through the air and landed right in front of him, asking.

"Have you considered it?"

"What?"

Qin Zhe froze, failing to catch the meaning immediately.

Upon seeing Liu Qingzhi deliver herself right to their doorstep, Yao Jing's expression lit up with delight as she opened her mouth with a smirk, but the former didn't give her the chance.

"I don't have time to deal with you right now."

"..."

Yao Jing was choked off, her expression turning thoroughly aggrieved, resembling a petty, resentful wife.

Liu Qingzhi's expression remained unchanged at this, and she said calmly.

"This matter can be as big or as small as we make it. You heard what I just said. Have your people sort out the situation and publish it in batches in the academy gazette. Strive for absolute truth without fabrication, and keep the situation as contained as possible."

Upon receiving these instructions, Yao Jing immediately grew displeased.

"Hey! Since when are you giving me orders? Didn't you say the Disciplinary Department would handle the aftermath? I..."

Before she could finish, Liu Qingzhi spoke once more.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"..."

Speechless, Yao Jing turned to look at Qin Zhe standing beside her, and out of nowhere, delivered a kick straight at him.

"I'm keeping score for this! You owe me one!"

Struck unawares, Qin Zhe caught a kick to the shin for no reason, leaving him crying and laughing all at once.

"I didn't even provoke you, why are you kicking me?"

"I felt like it! What are you gonna do, bite me?"

Yao Jing glared fiercely at him before turning on her heel and marching away.

"..."

Watching her walk off, Qin Zhe felt utterly wronged.

Where was the justice in this?

Liu Qingzhi was the one who had displeased her; why on earth was this woman taking it out on him?

Noticing Yao Jing venting her frustrations on the poor fellow, Liu Qingzhi's expression turned slightly subtle.

"Qin Zhe, you and her..."

"Nothing has ever happened between us!"

Qin Zhe blurted out resolutely, then offered a cough and said.

"I'm sorry, Department Head, I didn't quite catch your meaning earlier. As for the position of Deputy Department Head... I'm afraid I might have to fail your expectations. I have some personal circumstances at the moment..."

Halting midway, Qin Zhe left the sentence unfinished, mastering the art of the lingering pause to make it seem as though he had unspeakable difficulties.

Unfortunately, he had severely underestimated Liu Qingzhi's bluntness...

"What circumstances? Tell me in detail."

"Ahem, well..."

Qin Zhe was left speechless, feeling a dull ache in his groin.

He had to admit that Liu Qingzhi's straightforwardness was sometimes even harder to handle than Yao Jing's "episodes."

Fortunately, Li Zongheng walked over just then, breaking the deadlock.

"Qingzhi, thank goodness you arrived in time, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to control the scene."

Speaking with a trace of fatigue, Li Zongheng looked at Qin Zhe and said.

"It's a miracle the Dean didn't have a falling out with William on the spot; the consequences would have been unthinkable otherwise. To prevent the situation from deteriorating further, we need to make thorough preparations. I'll take charge of James's end and head to the infirmary to keep watch myself."

"Understood, President. Please be careful."

Liu Qingzhi nodded gently, maintaining a poised and respectful demeanor.

Clearly well-acquainted with her temperament, Li Zongheng smiled faintly and flew off through the air.

"It seems the President has already approved of you."

Liu Qingzhi turned her head back to look at him, displaying a rare trace of a smile as she said.

"I won't force you regarding the deputy position, but I currently have no other candidates. The seat will be kept open for you; whenever you have a change of heart, you can let me know at any time."

Before Qin Zhe could reply, Liu Qingzhi added.

"The Dean just sent a voice transmission asking me to bring you over after handling matters at the sparring arena. He probably has instructions for us; let's go now."

With that, she hesitated slightly and extended a slender, jade-like hand toward him.

Hearing that Wang Chongguo had instructions, Qin Zhe felt no particular resistance.

Yet, holding the Department Head's delicate hand once more, he felt considerably more constrained.

He wasn't blind, nor was he a fool.

He had clearly caught the fleeting hesitation that crossed Liu Qingzhi's face just moments ago.

Additionally, he had noticed something else...

Upon her return this time, the Department Head wasn't wearing a skirt; instead, she had opted for a pair of slim-fit jeans, concealing even her legs.

Qin Zhe couldn't be certain whether Liu Qingzhi had done this intentionally, but he vaguely sensed it might have something to do with him...

***

With Liu Qingzhi carrying him through the air, it took only a couple of breaths for the two of them to arrive at the academy plaza.

In the plaza, Wang Chongguo and several powerful instructors stood motionless, gazing up at the mystic realm entrance hanging in the night sky.

Catching sight of their arrival, Wang Chongguo withdrew his gaze, looked over, and said.

"Qingzhi, we might need to trouble you a bit this time. You and Qin Zhe will go inside, locate the Super-Disaster Bureau personnel currently surveying the realm as quickly as possible, and brief them on the situation."

"Understood."

Liu Qingzhi acknowledged the order, summoned her flying sword, and prepared to set off immediately. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she added.

"I'm going to run home for a moment, I'll be right back."

With that, she departed directly through the air.

Left standing in place, Qin Zhe blinked in mild bewilderment before asking Wang Chongguo.

"Dean, are there people from the Super-Disaster Bureau conducting surveys inside the mystic realm? When did they go in?"

"The true entrance to the Cold Moon Mystic Realm isn't here; the academy uses arcane methods to link the entrance to the sky above this plaza. Unless one masters this secret technique, ordinary people cannot open the realm here."

Wang Chongguo explained, his eyes narrowing slightly as he continued.

"There is a traitor within the academy, and we don't yet know who it is. That's why we have to send the two of you this time, while I must remain here to hold down the fort."

As he spoke, Wang Chongguo's gaze swept over Qin Zhe's expression, which was gradually morphing into one of profound discomfort, and casually produced a men's ring.

"This spatial ring contains the reward for the crystal you obtained last time. The item was already handed over to the Super-Disaster Bureau, so they prepared this reward for you. Yao Jing rushed over to find me in quite a hurry earlier, and I didn't get a chance to give it to her. You can check what's inside yourself."