Chapter 23: Bury someone if you don’t agree with them

Bang, bang, bang.

"Come in."

Old Wang broke into his most innocent smile: "Respected Headmistress, what can I do for you?"

The office was filled with the faint scent of incense. Karida was writing something and didn't bother to look up at him.

Old Wang didn't dare to be negligent. Leaders enjoyed this kind of silent observation, and he needed to show steadfastness, patience, and sincerity.

After a while, Karida put down her pen and looked up at Wang Feng coolly.

"Have you been enjoying these past two days?"

"Very much so, basking in the grace of the headmistress, I live each day with gratitude," Wang Feng said, sensing that something was about to happen. But given his situation, what else could they use him for besides as bait?

"It seems the Nine Snakes have abandoned you. Your value is so insignificant that even they don't want to deal with you," Karida said coolly. "I feel like keeping you around serves no purpose."

Old Wang wanted to curse. It wasn't his fault that the other side wasn't contacting him; he was just a small cannon fodder.

But clearly, explanations were useless when facing a leader's questioning.

"Your Highness, we need to think long-term to catch a big fish. We can't rush things. They must still be observing and waiting. After all, the situation has caused quite a stir. As long as I'm alive, they won't ignore me." Wang Feng said calmly, knowing that he had to maintain composure. Anyone could doubt him, but he couldn't doubt himself.

Karida remained unconvinced and suddenly changed the subject, "You've been infiltrating the Rose Holy Sanctuary for a year now. What do you think of my revitalization plan?" She asked casually, but in reality, she wanted to know. She was tired of hearing the old men's opinions, but Wang Feng's thoughts from the dungeon had surprised her. She had pondered it over the past few days and wanted to know what the students thought, especially someone as unique as Wang Feng.

Sometimes, your enemy knows you best.

"Absolutely brilliant! A perfect, genius decision!" Old Wang raised his thumb, fully alert. "Expanding enrollment to the whole society not only solves the financial issues of the academy but also uncovers many hidden talents. Sticking to old ways is never progressive. Otherwise, how would the evil Nine Snake Empire be so panicked, sending spies in such haste? This is because the headmistress chose the right path, making our enemies fear us! The path that terrifies the enemy is undoubtedly the correct one! Your foresight rivals that of the Eight Sages, and your wisdom and valor match those of the Supreme Saint. The Rose Holy Sanctuary will surely flourish under your leadership. I believe this without a doubt. Glory to the sanctuary, long live the headmistress!"

Karida frowned tightly, "It seems you think I'm easy to fool, Blue Sky!"

Suddenly, the ghost-like handsome man appeared again, staring coldly at Wang Feng. Old Wang shivered, damn, even flattery is wrong?

"Headmistress, I'm rather dull-witted. Just give me an order, and I'll do anything for you!" Feeling the icy killing intent, Old Wang quickly changed his approach.

"I asked a question. In your words, 'expansion.' What's the problem?"

"The quality varies, and there are people like me who slip in. If everyone were like me, it wouldn't matter. I've been reading the newspapers recently, and the backward ones are attacking you. Public opinion can be powerful and can't be ignored entirely," Wang Feng hurriedly replied.

Karida nodded in satisfaction, waved her hand, and Blue Sky disappeared. The choking presence vanished, and Old Wang's face improved slightly.

"How would you handle it?" Karida asked coolly.

"Cough, cough, madam, I'm just a small... well, actually, with your position, you could simply expel those who don't fit, unless they're loyal to you like me."

"Is this your solution?" Karida's expression turned cold, and her aura became like a sharp sword, making Old Wang's hair stand on end. He felt like he was about to explode if this continued.

"I gave the orders myself. Do you think everyone is an idiot? I need a method that maintains expansion while removing the weak and preserving the honor of the Rose Holy Sanctuary!"

Old Wang thought, damn, you want everything. Where's the easy way out?

"Madam, Headmistress, this is a bit difficult. We need to think it through. Give me some time, a month... no, ten days..."

"I'll give you five minutes. If you can't come up with a satisfactory solution, I think it's better for you to go where you belong," Karida tapped the table lightly, but the sound reverberated in Old Wang's heart.

This woman, so beautiful, yet so ruthless. One wrong word and she'd kill him.

What did he do to deserve this?

But he couldn't argue. Even with vast knowledge, absolute power made everything irrelevant.

"Two minutes have passed," Karida reminded him coolly, glancing at the sword hanging nearby.

"There is a solution, there must be!" Old Wang was drenched in sweat. "Respected Headmistress, we could set an exam score threshold. Conduct annual evaluations, keep those who pass, and kick out those who fail. This way, we can eliminate all the nuisances and deadweights!"

"Is this your solution?" Karida looked at the spy from the Nine Gods Empire, disappointed. Did she overestimate him?

There were many influential figures in the academy who couldn't be touched, nor could the wealthy patrons. These people came to polish their credentials and were a crucial part of her expansion plan. Using a uniform elimination system would drive them away. She needed a selective process but couldn't appear unfair or autocratic.

Public opinion was her biggest pressure. Such a simplistic method would put her in a bad light.

Seeing Karida's expression, Old Wang knew something was wrong. Essentially, she wanted to act while maintaining a good reputation.

"What if we double the tuition fees?"

"Four minutes. You have one minute left before leaving this world," Karida said, "Perhaps you should consider how to leave."

"Blue Sky, take him out and bury him!" The ghost-like Blue Sky reappeared, pressing his bone-crushing hand onto Wang Feng's shoulder.

"No, no, Respected Headmistress, I have a perfect solution!" Old Wang clung desperately to the table leg, his face pale. The brutal society, burying him without warning, gave him no time to prepare. This woman was too cruel: "The solution is... the solution is..."

"Take him away."

The guard captain reached out to pry his fingers off.