Chapter 445: Roasting on the Fire

445. Chapter 445: Roasting on the Fire

After speaking, Ma Ming turned his head and gave Jiang Cheng a look.

"Yes, Principal Sun."

Jiang Cheng also nodded and said, "Last week there was a special circumstance; from now on I will attend every weekly meeting."

"Special circumstance, hehe."

Sun Bo laughed twice, "Alright, considering Director Jiang is new, the past matters are forgiven; just don't be absent next time."

"Definitely, definitely."

Ma Ming felt a weight lift off him.

"Let's start the meeting, begin the report from the first grade."

Having said that, Sun Bo sat down.

"Yes, Director."

Upon hearing that, a woman stood up and began reporting this week's situation.

For example, how many classes were held, what progress was reached, how the students were learning, and so on.

Among them, a few talented students were highlighted and reported on.

After Sun Bo finished listening, he asked a few questions; after that, the second grade began its report.

As a vice principal, he oversees grades one through ten; students above tenth grade who have become Grandmaster are handled by another vice principal and Xu Juan.

In addition, departments such as the Seal-Making Department and the Alchemy Workshop are also under his management.

Jiang Cheng sat by the side, listening boredly.

He glanced around; yawners were not few.

Indeed, the ones who love meetings most are the various leaders; the subordinates feel they never have enough time for work and must also prepare countless materials for meetings—it's absurd.

Finally, it was Ma Ming's turn to report.

The Alchemy Workshop's report covered not only teaching duties but also pill production; this matters to everyone present—if output is insufficient, even high Contribution Points are useless.

When Ma Ming said this week's Top‑grade Awakening Pill count was 140, everyone present felt a stir.

Although some among them were not very enthusiastic toward Jiang Cheng, even a bit resistant because of his newcomer reputation, the Top‑grade Awakening Pill was truly enticing.

One should know that before Jiang Cheng arrived, Top‑grade Awakening Pills never reached 140 a week; even forty was considered plenty!

As for Fourth‑grade Reviving Pill, it was even rarer.

"Hold on."

Sun Bo, who had been listening silently, suddenly raised his hand and interrupted Ma Ming, "You just said, what was the number of Top‑grade Awakening Pills?"

"One, one hundred forty pills, Principal."

Ma Ming felt a bit uneasy.

Sun Bo furrowed his brows, "I recall last week the number was the same, right? How come this week it's still so many? In last week's meeting, didn't I tell you we desperately need these pills; the more the better?"

"Principal, this…"

Ma Ming wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and explained, "Currently in our Alchemy Workshop, only Director Jiang and I have the capability to forge Top‑grade Awakening Pills, and profit‑wise, Director Jiang outperforms me by far, so the Top‑grade Awakening Pills of the past two weeks have come from his hand. As for me, I also want to produce Top‑grade Awakening Pills, but because I have other tasks, such as Fourth‑grade Reviving Pill, the output of Top‑grade Awakening Pills has not changed over these two weeks."

"Is that so? Then it's Director Jiang's problem?"

Sun Bo said.

In an instant, everyone's gaze fell on Jiang Cheng. Beside him, Ma Ming realized the situation was off.

Principal Sun seemed truly targeting Jiang Cheng today.

"Director Jiang, I heard you can forge a batch of Top‑grade Awakening Pills in just two hours, is that correct?"

"What!"

Upon hearing this, a wave of gasps rose from all around.

They did have some understanding of the time required for alchemy.

The higher the pill's grade, the longer it takes; it's said that pills for Supreme use often require ten days to half a month to refine.

But producing a batch of Top‑grade Awakening Pills in two hours is astonishing; at that rate, one could forge up to twelve batches a day, couldn't they?

That would be one hundred twenty pills!

That would nearly match the current weekly output.

Of course, people aren't made of iron; even if we assume twelve hours, i. e., six batches a day, that yields 420 pills a week.

Now no one can claim they have Contribution Points but can't redeem them; even the current 120 a week is a bit low, while 420, three or four times more, could even lower the price for the lucky.

Consequently, the crowd's gaze at Jiang Cheng quickly shifted from shock to blazing heat.

"Principal Sun is mistaken," Jiang Cheng shook his head, "It was only at the start, when conditions were good; later it's not guaranteed. I've tested it—only the first two batches could reach Top‑grade quality, but beyond that it's uncertain."

The teachers of the Alchemy Workshop, upon hearing that, glanced at each other silently.

They sensed Jiang Cheng was likely lying, because when they observed that day, after he finished two batches, his expression was carefree.

However, there was no need to expose him.

That day they observed him and each gained something, acknowledging Jiang Cheng's favor; if they spoke up now, others would whisper behind his back that he is ungrateful.

"Is that so?"

Sun Bo let out a cold snort, almost writing the words 'doubtful' across his face.

A week later, he had essentially investigated Jiang Cheng thoroughly.

"Director Jiang, if possible, I still hope you can produce more Top‑grade Awakening Pills, because not only our academy teachers but also Rebel Soldiers urgently need them."

"Moreover, for each extra batch you forge, the academy will split the profit fifty‑fifty; the more you produce, the more Contribution Points you earn, right?"

Having said that, Sun Bo swept his gaze around.

Immediately, many people echoed his words.

"Yes, Director Jiang Cheng, as the saying goes, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility; since you have that skill, why not make two more batches each day?"

"Right, Director Jiang Cheng, one batch of Top‑grade Awakening Pill yields at least five hundred Contribution Points profit; split fifty‑fifty, you get half. If you produce five or six batches a day, that's almost a thousand Contribution Points in your pocket, isn't it?"

"Director Jiang Cheng, produce more, okay? Among the teachers present, there are also some Rebel Soldiers; they truly need this kind of pill. Sometimes having it or not leads to completely different outcomes."

Some shout loudly, others show genuine emotion.

Sun Bo watched the scene, outwardly calm, but inwardly extremely pleased.

Sometimes words are sharper than knives.

Just like now, in a few short sentences, he has put Jiang Cheng on the spot; if the latter doesn't agree, he will stand opposite the crowd.

(End of chapter)