The Seventh Base

Chapter 180: Chapter 75: Advance and Retreat Together
 

The release of the investigation results from Noah Academy caused a huge stir in Steel Dome City.

Exposures of corruption, inappropriate relationships, and suicides due to fear of crime greatly impacted the reputation of Noah Academy.

Especially in the released results, there was even a subtle indication targeting Dean Tantai.

Although it wasn’t explicitly stated, it hinted that the Old Dean had shown excessive favoritism towards his protégés and had even used his authority to gift them extremely expensive high-grade mechas. However, it was also added that most of the funding for the mechas came from the compensation from Nanming Academy, and the Old Dean had paid the remaining amount out of his own pocket.

However, publishing this seemed as though it was suggesting that the Old Dean was scheming for his disciples’ benefit, which sparked quite a bit of discussion.

Of course, with the previous incident, the citizens of Steel Dome City still believed that the Old Dean wasn’t entirely selfish but wanted to cultivate a genius for Noah Academy.

But the Old Dean’s previous students’ corruption and suicide from fear also cast a shadow over this.

These students, no matter how talented they currently were, had at least not yet made any contributions. Was the reward too much?

This public opinion pushed Noah Academy to the forefront of controversy.

In Lin Qingze’s office at Noah Academy, Lin Qingze was extremely angry after learning about the published matter and even flipped over his desk.

The academy was large, it couldn’t possibly be completely clean.

Investigate if they must, they weren’t afraid of being investigated. At least he and the Old Dean were clear in their consciences, having done nothing remorseful.

But to target the Old Dean for attack was absolutely condemnable.

Especially since the Old Dean had already stated he had made up the funds, not using a single cent of the academy’s funds, yet it still caused a public uproar, Lin Qingze was naturally very displeased.

This was deliberately damaging the Old Dean’s reputation.

Just as the Old Dean had guessed, this was aimed at him, trying to force him into retirement.

Moreover, the City Government had decided, due to corruption issues, to send personnel to stay at Noah Academy to help manage the academy and aimed to rejuvenate Noah Academy.

To take advantage of their victory.

Upon hearing the news, the higher-ups at Noah Academy were shaken.

Lin Qingze’s office was now packed with people who had come in anger.

Leng Qiu had arrived and slapped an envelope directly on Lin Qingze’s desk, saying, “I resign. I’m done with it.”

Lin Qingze looked at Leng Qiu, slammed the desk, and glared angrily at her.

The two glared at each other, only to hear Lin Qingze speak, “I’m also not planning to continue.”

Leng Qiu was taken aback, looked at Lin Qingze, and said, “It seems you also aren’t so despicable.”

Lin Qingze glared at her.

“I’m quitting too.”

The people in the office were all bustling, all intending to resign.

“Let’s go, find the Old Dean.” A group of dignified people walked out; they had worked diligently and ended up reaping such consequences.

Moreover, the Old Dean was of an advanced age and barely managed the academy’s affairs on a daily basis. He chose to stay at the academy to deter any miscreants and protect the reputation of Noah Academy; after all, his prestige was well known.

Otherwise, the Old Dean could have retired long ago. Was he really covetous of Noah Academy’s salary?

Having done so much, he now ended up thrown away like a squeezed-out lemon, damaging the Old Dean’s reputation.

This was utterly outrageous.

What status did the Old Dean hold?

How could he tolerate such treatment? This was clearly intended to force the Old Dean to retire voluntarily.

“Let’s go…”

All were extremely angry, bustling toward the outside.

Today was a collective day off at Noah Academy, no classes, and students were free to engage in their own activities.

The students were also aware of the current situation, many felt extremely upset, thinking the actions of those above were too much.

They too hated corruption, but to deal with it was to punish the corrupt parties, not to damage the Old Dean’s reputation. What was the intent behind this?

Now, among the students, news even spread that the Old Dean might be retiring, though it was unclear who had deliberately put out the news.

This made many students even more angry, vowing to advance and retreat together with the Old Dean.

In the Old Dean’s yard.

Xu Mo and others had naturally already heard the news.

The Elder sat in a chair, Elsa was giving him a back massage.

Xu Mo sat casually on the ground beside him.

“Teacher, are you planning to retire?” Xu Mo asked casually, with a calm tone.

“I’m old, I should have retired long ago, wanted to a few years back, but they wouldn’t let me, so I continued for a few more years.” The Elder sat there, smiling and shaking his head, “Retirement is good, finally I can have some peace, no need to worry about anything.”

Xu Mo understood from the Elder’s reply.

However, retiring on one’s own accord and being forced into retirement were not the same thing.

Even more so, the gap was significant.

Although the Elder could choose not to retire, that would be meaningless as the Elder still cared about his dignity.

“You kid, study hard. Even if I retire, the influence of the academy remains and with your talent, they won’t treat you badly, they might even try to win you over aggressively.” The Elder said, “The time to test you has come.”

“Aren’t you afraid that I won’t withstand the test?” Xu Mo asked.

“Will you?” The Elder looked at him.

“Teacher, I can’t guarantee that, after all, I am still so young and poor,” Xu Mo said.

The Elder heard Xu Mo’s jest and glared at him.

“So, to avoid the temptation of candy-coated bullets, I just have to leave on my own. This way, I won’t face the temptation,” Xu Mo said.

The Elder was taken aback by Xu Mo’s words, looking at him.

“Brother Mo, the stuff is so heavy, you see Sister Butterfly carrying so much, don’t you feel compelled to help?” On the side of the room, Xiao Qi and Ying were carrying big and small packages as they walked out, followed by Ye Qingdie, who seemed more at ease, carrying fewer items.