Chapter 514

"Still think you can crush my Handong Academy?"

"How's your principal, Zhang Jiao?"

Lin Yu responded calmly to Zhang Bao.

"Who the hell are you? How could Principal Wang Yun of Handong Academy send someone like you? Are you scared to die?"

Zhang Bao sneered, retaliating against the obscure Lin Yu.

"A mere grunt, expecting our principal to show up? Handong Academy produces talent by the dozen—unlike you, who'll take in anyone, ending up with teeth knocked out."

"Enough talk. Do you leave on your own, or shall we help you?" Lin Yu said impatiently.

Zhang Bao's face darkened. His original plan had been to ambush the Five Tiger Generals during the match and weaken Handong Academy—but now he had suffered heavy losses. A direct fight would only benefit others; Huang Jin High was now trapped between a rock and a hard place.

"Report! Director! The southern army has been repelled by Zhao Yun!"

"Report! Director! The northern army has been breached by Ma Chao!"

"Report! Director! The eastern army has been breached by Huang Zhong!"

News came from all three directions nearly at once; Zhang Bao's face grew even darker. He fixed his gaze on Lin Yu and gave the order to retreat.

"Go!"

The retreat horn sounded, and the Huang Jin troops withdrew reluctantly.

Watching Huang Jin High withdraw, everyone at Handong Academy exhaled in relief—if a real battle had broken out, no one would have gained anything; the academy's situation had been dire.

"Wuuu!!!"

Another horn blared as the Hedong High flag drew near, with Li Ru, Meiniang, and Lu Bu leading the advance.

"You're still dumb enough to come here?" Lin Yu demanded.

Li Ru and Meiniang replied, visibly fearful.

"W-we only mobilized because of Principal Dong Zhuo's orders."

"Principal Dong learned of Huang Jin High's intentions and immediately sent Hedong High to reinforce you. Don't you… understand what that means?"

"Oh? Then where is Principal Dong? I'd like to thank him personally." Lin Yu countered.

"The principal has business elsewhere—he'll be here soon," Li Ru answered.

"Bad news! The principal has fainted!" Xiao Qiao ran in from the academy, urgently telling Lin Yu.

"What! The principal fainted?" Guan Yu asked anxiously.

"I'm not sure. When the president and the principal were discussing how to counter Huang Jin in the office, the principal suddenly lost consciousness. The president rushed him to the infirmary," Xiao Qiao replied.

"This kind old man actually collapsed like this—it seems Huang Jin High's actions overwhelmed him."

A man in black armor, four badges hanging on his chest, horns growing from his forehead, walked slowly forward—it was Dong Zhuo, the very person Lin Yu had just asked about.

"Principal!"

"Father!"

Li Ru, Meiniang, and Lu Bu bowed deeply.

Dong Zhuo waved dismissively and walked toward Lin Yu.

I have an order from the Young Emperor stating that Huang Jin High plans a major assault on Handong Academy; Hedong High will not stand idly by.

Should Principal Wang Yun of Handong Academy suffer any mishap, I, Dong Zhuo, principal of Hedong High, shall temporarily assume control of Handong Academy.

Dong Zhuo handed the imperial order to Lin Yu to examine, then led his Hedong High contingent toward the principal's office.

Li Ru and Meiniang followed closely behind, smug expressions on their faces as they entered Handong Academy. Lin Yu watched their backs, gave a faint laugh, and led the Five Tiger Generals back to school.

Upon entering the principal's office, Dong Zhuo shouted at Cao Cao:

"Cao President, notify all officers to gather in the conference room!"

Cao Cao stared in confusion at Dong Zhuo's loud shouting; Lin Yu slipped the Young Emperor's order into his hand. Cao Cao scanned it quickly, his brow furrowing.

Inside the conference room (Zhao's Zhao), voices buzzed. Dong Zhuo stood atop the podium; below sat the Five Tiger Generals, Student Union members, disciplinary officers, teachers, and class monitors.

Dong Zhuo tapped the microphone lightly and spoke.

"Listen up, everyone. I'm Dong Zhuo of Hedong High. By the Young Emperor's decree, I will temporarily oversee Handong Academy until Principal Wang Yun recovers.

"I'm a blunt man—I despise those who try to swallow other schools by force, or sneakily steal the school alliance's jade seal.

I heard Huang Jin High planned to use underhanded tactics against you, so I brought my men to support you. That's why the Young Emperor gave me this order. Tomorrow, Handong Academy will turn a new page. Are you ready?"

【338】 Dong Zhuo successfully took control of Handong Academy

In the principal's office of Handong Academy, Dong Zhuo lazily swung a pool cue; the ball sank precisely into the pocket. Li Ru and Meiniang stood silently beside him.

"Heh, good luck!" Dong Zhuo grinned at them as the ball dropped. "From today on, we'll move into Handong Academy and implement new laws."

Li Ru and Meiniang straightened their backs and replied in unison: "Yes!"

"Originally, I planned to use Huang Jin High to eliminate the Five Tiger Generals, then seize the opportunity to drive out Huang Jin and take over Handong Academy logically and naturally.

But the Five Tiger Generals turned around and crushed those Huang Jin fools. Now I had to spend a fortune to get this order—troublesome, but the outcome is still good."

"I didn't care about the Five Tiger Generals. What I truly care about is Student President Cao Cao. Tomorrow, you two go talk to Cao Cao."

After Dong Zhuo spoke, Li Ru and Meiniang stared at him in terror. Dong Zhuo glared and snapped:

"What's wrong? I just said I'm concerned. Why are you so scared? He's not a ghost."

The two hurriedly pointed behind Dong Zhuo. He turned—and saw Cao Cao standing there. He froze, then quickly bowed.

"Speak of Cao Cao, and he appears—no lie after all. Impressive!"

Cao Cao stared at Dong Zhuo and asked calmly:

"What do you want to talk to me about?"

Hearing this, Dong Zhuo tossed the cue stick to Li Ru, plopped onto the sofa, and patted the seat beside him, signaling Cao Cao to sit.

"I've heard much of your name. It's an honor to finally meet you. I hear your sneeze makes the ground shake three times."

Cao Cao's expression was icy as he replied.

"Acting Principal, no need for pleasantries—if you have something to say, don't beat around the bush," Cao Cao replied.

"Straightforward! Then I won't beat around the bush either. I hope you'll help me reform the Eastern Han Academy."

"As everyone knows, the Acting Principal's son-in-law Li Ru is well-versed in both civil and martial arts. Why come to me?" Cao Cao declined without hesitation.

Dong Zhuo put away his smile and said in a serious tone.

"To tell you the truth, I hope to join forces with you to dominate together. If I can become the chief of the Xiao Alliance Alliance, any position you want is yours."

"Thank you for the Acting Principal's regard."

Mei Niang also suddenly chimed in.

"Cao Cao, don't think you can slip by. You've already said 'Acting Principal' four times—it's clearly disrespectful to our Principal Dong Zhuo."

"Mei Niang, stop with the useless talk. Study math well, and then someone will like you. He said 'Acting Principal' five times in total," Dong Zhuo said, looking at Cao Cao.

"I just like speaking the truth. Please don't overthink it, 'Acting' Principal!" Cao Cao retorted.

"Quite the nerve, another one. But since I appreciate you, I won't hold it against you. I also hope you won't misunderstand me," Dong Zhuo said with a forced smile.

"Misunderstand what?" Cao Cao asked back.

"Misunderstand that I'm occupying the position of Principal of Eastern Han Academy," Dong Zhuo said.

"What the Acting Principal wants to do is none of my business to interfere with. I only hope Eastern Han Academy can get better and better," Cao Cao said, looking at Dong Zhuo.

"Definitely! I've already mapped out a blueprint for reform and development. I have my own ideas, haha…" Dong Zhuo finished speaking and burst into laughter.

The next day, the Five Tiger Generals, Cao Cao, and Lin Yu came over and saw a crowd gathered at the school gate, none of them going in. Curious, the few of them stepped forward to check.

"This is too much—do you have to bring a handkerchief and toilet paper to enter the school? When was there ever such a rule before!"

Jiang Gan's complaining voice reached them first. The group quickened their pace and crowded in for a look.

"Gan, what's going on?"

Seeing Jiang Gan arguing with Li Ru, Cao Cao hurriedly asked.

"President, you're finally here. Take a look! They insist people bring handkerchiefs and toilet paper to get in, and I refuse," Jiang Gan said.

Cao Cao immediately pulled Jiang Gan aside and asked urgently.

"Where are the inspectors? Where's Wen Chou?"

"No idea!"

"Hmph, the great Principal Dong Zhuo questioned the loyalty of the inspection team and has temporarily suspended them for review," Li Ru said, waving his hand arrogantly.

Cao Cao frowned.

"How come I never heard about this?"

"Hmph, the great Principal Dong Zhuo invited you to cooperate and you refused. Now you can no longer exercise the President's authority. Just behave and be a student," Li Ru said to Cao Cao.

"We've always been good students. It's just that this rule is too strange," Jiang Gan said.