SBCEJM -Chapter 136 Master Xu Agrees to Come Out of Retirement! Neighbors Demand Today’s “Crawling Performance”

Feng Zexuan continued raising the stakes. “If Master Xu comes out of retirement, regarding salary…”

Xu Wenrui and Chu Heng both perked up their ears.

“Thirty taels of silver per month, with additional bonuses during festivals.”

Xu Wenrui’s clouded old eyes instantly widened.

Thirty taels? Per month?!

Back when he served as a Hanlin Academy scholar, a fifth-rank official in the capital, his monthly salary plus allowances barely amounted to a little over ten taels.

Yet the girl’s school being established by the Northern Frontier Prince was offering more than double that!

What kind of heavenly treatment was this?!

【Wow! Host, you’re literally throwing money at recruitment! This salary is definitely top-tier here!】

【Hehe, for the sake of building the girls’ academy, what’s a little investment?】

Chu Heng opened his mouth: “Your Highness… isn’t this salary… a bit too high?”

Even as Minister of Revenue, his monthly pay was only just over fifteen taels!

“High?”

Feng Zexuan didn’t care at all. Her wealthy, carefree attitude made the two old men’s hearts skip a beat.

【If we’re doing it, we do it best. You can’t catch wolves without risking the bait! No expense spared where it matters!】

“The academy I intend to build will be the number one in the capital—and even the number one in the Great Xia Empire. If we’re hiring, we hire the best teachers.”

She looked directly at Xu Wenrui, her tone firm and sincere.

“Someone like Master Xu—renowned across the capital, erudite in all classics, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—deserves the best treatment! This salary doesn’t even come close to matching your talent!”

【Host, mutual flattery works wonders. Look, his eyes are practically glowing!】

And glowing they were.

Xu Wenrui was dazed by the praise, almost floating.

The gloom that had weighed on him earlier due to his family’s mysterious shortened lifespan had unexpectedly dissipated.

He was not short of money; his savings were enough for a comfortable old age.

But the feeling of being valued—of being respected—was something money could never buy.

This Northern Frontier Prince had not only helped him uncover the truth behind his family’s fate, easing years of inner turmoil, but also held his talent in such high regard…

Was this really a prince? He felt more like a blessing sent from the heavens.

【Look at Old Xu’s expression—like a salaryman stunned by a huge offer!】

【Host, he’s a former Hanlin Academy scholar. He’s seen everything. If he’s this moved, your sincerity really hit the mark!】

Chu Heng, seeing his old friend wavering, quickly pressed on:

“Wenrui, with the Prince’s sincerity, what are you still hesitating for?”

Xu Wenrui took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling as he struggled internally.

After a long moment, he finally made up his mind and bowed deeply:

“Since Your Highness values this old man so highly… then I shall respectfully accept!”

“Wonderful!” Feng Zexuan clapped her hands, smiling brightly.

“With Master Xu joining us, the girls’ academy will surely thrive! The women of the world are blessed!”

【Yes! One down! The teaching team is starting to take shape! With a prestigious figure like him, recruiting others will be much easier!】

Chu Heng finally relaxed as well. He had at last convinced his stubborn old friend.

However—

“However,” Xu Wenrui suddenly spoke again, hesitating.

“This old man has one condition.”

Feng Zexuan tensed immediately.

【Don’t tell me he’s backing out again?! Please, we’ve already agreed this far!】

She forced herself to stay calm. “Please speak.”

“I would like to continue living here and commute daily to the academy. This place is quiet and peaceful, and I am used to it.”

So that was it.

Feng Zexuan breathed a sigh of relief and nearly laughed.

【I thought it was something serious! That’s all?】

She nodded readily. “Of course! The academy will provide carriage pick-up and drop-off. Don’t worry. We’ll even prepare cushioned seats for your comfort!”

“Then it’s settled!” Xu Wenrui beamed, instantly energized.

At that moment, he suddenly remembered the poisoned well, and his expression darkened again.

“Someone, come here!”

He called several servants over.

“Fill that well in immediately!”

“Wait!” Feng Zexuan stopped him.

“Filling it would be a waste. I have a better solution.”

【System, quickly exchange for the highest-grade water purifier!】

【Host, the ‘385 Water Purification Device’ is ready! It can turn contaminated water into clean drinking water! Total high-tech solution!】

Feng Zexuan pulled out a delicate silver disc from her sleeve, inlaid with seven colored gems that shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight.

“This is the ‘Divine Water Purification Disk,’ also a treasure left by my master. It is specially used to purify contaminated water sources.”

She rolled up her sleeves and jumped straight into the well without hesitation.

“Your Highness, be careful!” Chu Heng and Xu Wenrui both shouted in alarm, rushing forward—but it was too late.

Inside the well, Feng Zexuan quickly installed the “385 Water Purification Device” along the wall with practiced ease.

【Host… you’re way too skilled at this.】

【Of course. I was an engineering girl in my past life. This is nothing!】

A few minutes later, she climbed back up without a single drop of water on her.

“Done!”

Shortly after, she tested the well water again.

This time, the crystal screen showed normal readings—no more alarming warnings.

“It worked!”

Feng Zexuan smiled. “Heavy metal content is now zero. The water is clean and safe to use.”

Chu Heng was stunned. “Just… just like that? That’s unbelievable!”

Xu Wenrui widened his eyes. “You really purified toxic water in a few minutes?”

But a shadow still lingered in his expression.

“Even so… I don’t think I can use this well again.”

Feng Zexuan understood. Psychological trauma couldn’t be erased so easily.

As they were talking, faint murmurs suddenly came from the courtyard wall.

“Why hasn’t Master Xu started crawling today?”

“It’s already this late! He usually starts by now!”

“Old Xu! I brought my grandson to watch and learn! Don’t disappoint us!”

His long-hidden secret was suddenly exposed to the two distinguished guests.

Xu Wenrui’s face turned bright red, as if he wanted to find a hole to hide in.

【Hahaha! Old Xu’s fan club has arrived!】

Feng Zexuan tried to hold back her laughter and looked toward the wall. A dense row of heads—young and old—were peeking over it.

Chu Heng pretended to be surprised, though his eyes were clearly holding back laughter.

“Wenrui… what is this?”

“Cough… just… just some noisy neighbors…”

Xu Wenrui stammered, wishing he could disappear on the spot.

The wall grew even livelier:

“Master Xu, are you unwell today?”

“My child woke up early just to watch you crawl!”

“Master Xu, can you teach my old man your ‘Turtle Crawling Divine Skill’? His back pain is terrible!”

【Turtle Crawling Divine Skill? Hahaha! What a name!】

【Looks like Old Xu is quite famous in the neighborhood—basically a fitness instructor now!】

Feng Zexuan finally couldn’t hold it in and burst out laughing.

“Master Xu, it seems you are very respected among your neighbors! So many people care about you.”

Xu Wenrui’s face burned with embarrassment. “Your Highness… this… this is truly…”

More voices came from the wall:

“Master Xu, are you going to crawl today or not? We’re all waiting!”

“My son is here to learn your moves!”

Chu Heng couldn’t help laughing and patted his old friend’s shoulder.

“Wenrui, your life now is certainly more interesting than when you were an official!”

Xu Wenrui looked like he was about to cry. The excitement he had just gained from being valued was instantly washed away by his “fanbase.”

【System, Old Xu’s expression right now is priceless!】

【Host, he finally decided to come out of retirement… and now the neighbors are about to make him go back into hiding again!】

Feng Zexuan realized this couldn’t continue. She had worked too hard to recruit him.

She waved toward the wall.

“Everyone, Master Xu has guests today. Please come another day!”

Someone in the crowd immediately recognized her.

“Oh! It’s the Northern Frontier Prince!”

“Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Your Highness, are you here to learn the Turtle Crawling Divine Skill too?”