The Dean's Office.
The Dean of the Military Academy poured Wang Zhan another cup of tea.
"Little Wang, why are you being so secretive with me?" The Dean, being eighty years old, calling Wang Zhan "Little Wang" was quite fitting.
"I can't tell you now, you'll know soon enough," Wang Zhan chuckled.
"I have a feeling you're up to no good," the Dean said, holding his teacup, deep in thought.
"What bad intentions could I possibly have?" Wang Zhan replied with a smile, sipping his tea.
*Crack!*
The Dean slapped his thigh, suddenly enlightened. "I know, you're here to poach talent."
Wang Zhan smiled without speaking, implicitly agreeing.
"This child has a bright future, but he's only in his early twenties. What's the rush?" the Dean asked.
"Good prospects must be secured early. If others get their eyes on him, what's left for me?"
"The Military Academy is on my turf, so naturally, I get to pick the cream of the crop first."
"I won't hide it from you, I've met him several times and I think very highly of him."
"Tell me then, what do you plan to do with him? You're not going to recruit him as a mere soldier for the Blood War Army, are you?" the Dean inquired curiously.
"That's classified," Wang Zhan replied, being coy again.
Just then, Qin Hanchu, led by a staff member, walked in.
"Greetings, Dean. Greetings, Governor," Qin Hanchu said politely.
"Little Qin, we meet again," Wang Zhan said with a chuckle.
"Did Governor Meng ask for me?" Qin Hanchu asked in surprise.
The Dean nodded. "Yes, he wants to see you."
Wang Zhan gestured, and his assistant, Lu, handed over a contract.
Taking the contract, Wang Zhan said to Qin Hanchu, "I am officially hiring you as an instructor for the Island City Blood War Army."
The Blood War Army was the elite force of the Pacification Army, and only Wang Zhan and Blood Wolf had the authority to command them.
"Wait!" the Dean exclaimed in shock. "Little Wang, are you kidding me? Hiring Qin Hanchu as an instructor for the Blood War Army?"
Wang Zhan nodded. "Yes, an instructor for the Blood War Army."
"Qin Hanchu is still our student. How can he have the time to be an instructor for the Blood War Army?"
"Besides, one must be at least a Ninth-Rank realm to become an instructor."
The Dean was extremely shocked. He hadn't expected Wang Zhan to offer Qin Hanchu a position as an instructor in the Blood War Army.
In terms of rank, the position of Blood War Army instructor was just below that of a Pacification Envoy!
"He only needs to report once a week," Wang Zhan said with a smug smile. "As for his realm, that's even less of a problem. Doesn't the Dean know yet? This kid is a late Ninth-Rank expert."
*Crack!*
The Dean's teacup slipped from his hand and shattered on the floor.
After his initial shock, he cried out, "What? He... he's late Ninth-Rank?"
Reaching Eighth-Rank at twenty years old had already greatly astonished the higher-ups of the Military Academy.
But they never imagined that Qin Hanchu's true strength was far beyond that.
The Dean could barely believe Wang Zhan.
If Qin Hanchu had truly reached the late Ninth-Rank, such talent would surely shake the capital.
"In the battle at the Han Family Manor, this kid fought six Ninth-Rank martial artists alone. Many people witnessed it," Wang Zhan said with a smile. "How could I not try to secure such a promising talent?"
"No, I disagree!" the Dean insisted, immediately stating, "Qin Hanchu's primary responsibility is his studies. He cannot take on a position in your Blood War Army for now."
"Dean, you're going back on your word. Whether he accepts the position or not is up to Qin Hanchu himself," Wang Zhan said.
The Dean quickly turned to Qin Hanchu. "Student Qin, you are still young. You should focus on your studies."
"I believe gaining experience in advance is also necessary," Wang Zhan interjected.
"With your qualifications, you'll have many more options in the future."
"While being an instructor for the Blood War Army is good, the achievements there won't be exceptionally high."
The Dean knew Qin Hanchu's value well and was naturally unwilling for him to be poached by Wang Zhan.
"This offer is only for three years. By the time he graduates, he won't be an instructor for the Blood War Army anymore," Wang Zhan stated.
"Really?" the Dean asked suspiciously.
Wang Zhan handed the offer letter to the Dean. "See for yourself if you don't believe me."
The Dean examined it carefully, and his expression finally softened. "In that case, I won't say anything more."
"So, what do you say? Do you accept?" Wang Zhan asked Qin Hanchu.
Qin Hanchu looked conflicted. After a long pause, he nodded. "Yes, as long as it doesn't interfere with my schooling."
Under the Dean's watchful gaze, Qin Hanchu signed Wang Zhan's offer letter.
From this moment on, Qin Hanchu was an instructor for the Blood War Army.
Although Wang Zhan didn't say anything to Qin Hanchu, Qin Hanchu understood Wang Zhan's thoughtful intentions.
As long as Qin Hanchu served in the Blood War Army, he would be considered Wang Zhan's man.
If Qin Hanchu encountered any trouble, Wang Zhan could then legitimately offer his assistance.
The Dean of the Military Academy was merely a tool in this instance.
He served as a witness to prove that Wang Zhan had taken an interest in Qin Hanchu based on his strength and potential.
This way, no one would connect Qin Hanchu with the King of Asuras.
"Report to the Blood War Army base on Saturday. And give those brats a good lesson," Wang Zhan said, patting Qin Hanchu on the shoulder with a smile. "Study hard in the academy. To get ahead, you can't rely solely on martial prowess. You need a sharp mind and broad vision to be top-tier."
"Understood," Qin Hanchu replied with a smile.
"I won't bother you any longer. I'll be going now." With that, Wang Zhan happily departed.
After Wang Zhan left, the Dean said dejectedly, "You kid, if you're already at the late Ninth-Rank, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"Low profile, I prefer to keep a low profile," Qin Hanchu said with a slightly awkward chuckle.
"Is there anything else you're hiding from me?" the Dean asked, staring at Qin Hanchu.
Qin Hanchu scratched his head. "My master is Hu Qingshan. You should know him, right?"
"What? You're the disciple of Divine Doctor Hu? How is Divine Doctor Hu doing now?" The Dean had met Hu Qingshan once before, so he knew firsthand how exceptional Hu Qingshan's medical skills were.
He hadn't expected Qin Hanchu to be Hu Qingshan's disciple.
"Master passed away three years ago," Qin Hanchu replied.
"What a shame. With the passing of Divine Doctor Hu, there's only Divine Doctor Xue left in Huaxia," the Dean said regretfully.
Divine Doctor Xue's name was Xue Jingyuan, and he was very famous in the south.
When Hu Qingshan was alive, he loved to tell Qin Hanchu about his life.
As a divine doctor of equal renown to Hu Qingshan, Qin Hanchu was no stranger to Xue Jingyuan.
According to Hu Qingshan, Xue Jingyuan was very slovenly, and his actions and personality were eccentric and unconventional.
"Dean, I'd appreciate it if you could keep my Ninth-Rank realm a secret," Qin Hanchu said.
The Dean nodded. "Understood. Go back and study hard. Wang Zhan is right; to succeed, you can't rely only on martial arts."
Qin Hanchu bowed respectfully and then left the Dean's office.
After Qin Hanchu was long gone, the Dean immediately picked up the phone.
Reaching the late Ninth-Rank realm in his early twenties—such a prodigy had to be reported to headquarters for record-keeping.