Chapter 33: The Apex of the Student Council, Li Zongheng

"The Student Council President will be here too?"

Gu Ming looked surprised, hesitating as he glanced toward Qin Zhe. "Old Qin, should we... step outside? If the President arrives and sees that we, the Discipline Department, aren't at our posts..."

Before he could finish, a young man walked in from outside.

"Oh? Are the two from the Discipline Department here as well?"

"President! How come you're here so early?" Yu Shuangshuang’s eyes lit up, and she instantly transformed into a little fangirl, hurrying to greet him.

Seeing the man, Gu Ming hurriedly pulled Qin Zhe up from his seat and called out, "President, good morning!"

"Mm."

The young man smiled, his gaze sweeping over the three of them. Noticing that Yu Shuangshuang’s cheeks were flushed in a rather strange way, he couldn't help but ask, "Shuangshuang, what happened to your face?"

"He pinched me!" Yu Shuangshuang immediately pointed at someone, looking pitiful.

Qin Zhe, who was currently observing the young man, felt both amused and exasperated at her sudden complaint. "President, I was just joking around with Shuangshuang and accidentally used a bit too much force. She’s fine; the marks will fade in a moment."

"Is that so?" The young man looked over and nodded in acknowledgment.

Yu Shuangshuang was so frustrated she nearly cried, her mouth pouting high, though she dared not cause any further trouble.

Seeing the young man’s cultured demeanor, Qin Zhe couldn't help but look at him a few more times. Li Zongheng, the pinnacle of the Haicheng University Student Council—he hadn't expected him to be so easygoing.

Li Zongheng’s background was nothing short of legendary. Unlike Liu Qingzhi, who was both exceptionally gifted and a second-generation immortal, Li Zongheng came from a poor family; his parents were ordinary people. In three generations of his family, he was the only one to possess aptitude for the Immortal Path, meaning his access to resources was extremely limited.

Yet, relying solely on his aptitude and sheer hard work, he had secured a spot at Haicheng University as a special recruit for the Immortal Path and climbed the ranks to become Student Council President. Furthermore, it was rumored that Li Zongheng had reached the peak of the fourth stage of the Immortal Path and could break through to the fifth at any moment.

Seeing Qin Zhe observing him, Li Zongheng extended a hand in a friendly manner. "You must be Qin Zhe, right? I’ve heard Qingzhi mention you quite often lately. A couple of days ago, the Dean also told me you were quite the talent. When Yao Jing mentioned earlier that you would be on duty today, I specifically came by early to meet you."

"Cough, President, you’re setting the bar a bit high for me. I’m just an ordinary martial artist; there’s nothing special about me."

Qin Zhe coughed and shook his hand to show friendliness.

"Exactly, exactly! This guy has just been practicing the True Self Sutra; there's really nothing amazing about him!" Yu Shuangshuang interjected, trying to make her presence known.

Unfortunately, Li Zongheng paid her comment little mind and said to her with gentle refinement, "Shuangshuang, the exchange students will be arriving in about ten minutes. Why don't you go outside and get things ready? I have a few words for Qin Zhe, and I’ll find you later to give you some instructions."

Seeing that Li Zongheng intended to send her away, Yu Shuangshuang was visibly displeased. However, since the President—her idol—had spoken, she could only comply obediently and leave the guard room with a pout.

Seeing Yu Shuangshuang being dismissed, Gu Ming followed suit and stepped out.

Once they were alone in the guard room, Li Zongheng looked at Qin Zhe. "Regarding the exchange tournament, Yao Jing should have informed you yesterday. The match is scheduled for this afternoon; please hold back a little while on the stage. I’ve received word that the representative from the Eagle Nation’s Martial Arts Department is only at the second stage. Try not to let him lose too embarrassingly."

"My opponent is only at the second stage?" Qin Zhe was genuinely surprised. "Is the martial arts scene in the Eagle Nation that weak? Can a second-stage practitioner really be a representative? Are you serious?"

"Don't misunderstand; the Eagle Nation's martial artists are not weak. It’s just that their representative for the Martial Arts Department this time is special—he is a member of the royal family," Li Zongheng explained, taking out his phone. "Give me your number. I’ll send you the list of exchange students. There’s some data on them inside; take a look when you have a moment."

"Sure." Qin Zhe nodded and recited his number. He didn't care about his opponent's background. Royal or not, when the time came, he would just fight! It was actually fortunate that his opponent was only at the second stage. If the cultivation level were too high, he might not be able to hold his own. At least on the surface, this was meant to be a friendly exchange. If he were to unleash his "True Self" state, he wasn't sure if he could hold back.

Soon, Qin Zhe received the list from Li Zongheng and saved his number as well.

"Look over the information, but remember, do not let it spread," Li Zongheng said earnestly. "This group of exchange students will be staying at the academy for some time. Since there are royals among them, the situation is rather sensitive, and the academy attaches great importance to it."

"Understood. I’ll delete it once I’ve read it," Qin Zhe replied, then asked, "Is there anything else you need to instruct me on, President?"

"No, that’s all." Li Zongheng shook his head, then, as if thinking of something, he asked, "Oh, by the way, I have a question for you: would you have any interest in becoming the Vice Minister of the Discipline Department?"

"Huh?" Qin Zhe stared at him, completely bewildered. Why was Li Zongheng suddenly promoting him?

"Qingzhi mentioned this to me, and I wanted to ask for your opinion," Li Zongheng said with a smile. "In our Student Council, almost every department has a minister and a vice minister, except for the Discipline Department, where Qingzhi carries the entire burden alone. In terms of workload, it is the busiest department in the entire Student Council. If you are willing to help Qingzhi share the load, I believe she would be very pleased."

After saying this, Li Zongheng walked toward the exit of the guard room. "You don't need to give me an answer right away. Think about it for a few days. Once Qingzhi returns from her leave, she will approach you personally; it won't be too late to give her your reply then."

Watching Li Zongheng walk out and draw the admiring gazes of the ladies from the Etiquette Department, Qin Zhe frowned slightly. Liu Qingzhi wanting him to be the Vice Minister was a good thing. At the very least, once he became Vice Minister, he wouldn't have to stand guard anymore. But he might end up busier, and there was a chance Liu Qingzhi would simply become a hands-off manager—knowing her temperament, that was entirely possible.

Would it be better to find an excuse to refuse?

As he was thinking this, a commotion suddenly broke out on the path outside the window. Qin Zhe instinctively looked up and saw a procession of over twenty people.

The exchange students from the Eagle Nation had arrived.

Looking closely, all twenty-plus people had blond hair and blue eyes, typical features of Western Europeans. About fifteen of them appeared to be students, while the rest were likely teachers.

They walked with an air of arrogance, exuding the aura of those in positions of power. Their formation, marching with heads held high, looked very much like soldiers heading into battle.

However, as they met the ladies of the Etiquette Department at the main entrance, the entire group’s momentum stalled, nearly collapsing.

It couldn't be helped—the display by the Etiquette Department was invincible! There were twelve young women, each with a perfect figure and temperament, wearing cheongsams that were elegant yet not suggestive, while radiating the distinct charms of the Immortal, Demonic, and Martial paths.

Facing them head-on, who could say they were unaffected? If they were to call out a greeting, the people seeing them might just lose their minds!