C12 Another Perfect Score!

During her class, Cheng Linglong aimed to use certain lines to inspire her students to continue their life's pursuits, even if they lacked the innate talent for martial arts. She wasn't, however, encouraging those without such talent to pursue a career in martial arts.

Cheng Linglong couldn't help but notice Luo Ke's current predicament: he lacked ability yet was full of unwarranted self-importance. It puzzled her why Luo Ke, normally so cautious, was acting so conceited today. As she pondered how to counsel him, Chen Yuangan strode into the office, test paper in hand, with Yang Zhongping trailing behind. Both wore looks of disdain as they regarded Luo Ke.

Their contempt stemmed from Luo Ke's obstinacy, and they were determined to set him straight.

"Here's the new test Teacher Yang and I have prepared. Take it now, we'll be watching. No cheating this time," Chen Yuangan said bluntly, slapping the paper on the desk.

"Thank you both for your efforts in creating this test. I'll complete it quickly so as not to delay your rest," Luo Ke replied, though his mind was elsewhere. Finishing early meant he could work at Huang Cheng's medicine shop, where he hoped Huang Cheng might overlook his leave of absence since he had assisted Master Liang earlier.

"Still defiant to the end," Chen Yuangan scoffed, taking a seat.

Luo Ke skimmed the test and found it no more challenging than the last. Having mastered Basic Pharmacy, he saw no difficulty in the questions. He worked through the test, finishing all the questions in six minutes—one minute more than last time, only because he found the test too easy.

Why had Chen Yuangan and Yang Zhongping given him such a simple test? To be sure, he reviewed his answers, taking another minute to confirm their accuracy before submitting the test.

"Ms. Cheng, I've finished. May I go? I need to work at the Spirit Battle World," Luo Ke said, scratching his head apologetically.

"Hold on, you think you can just leave after submitting your test? We haven't discussed your punishment yet. Let's see how you've done," Chen Yuangan interjected, eager to find errors that would justify a stern reprimand.

But as he examined the test, his eyes bulged in disbelief. Luo Ke's answers matched the prepared key perfectly. Shocked, he couldn't fathom how Luo Ke, a student living off relief funds and juggling jobs, could produce such flawless work.

The reality was undeniable, though. Luo Ke had indeed completed the test without cheating, and considering the test was freshly made by Chen Yuangan and Yang Zhongping, cheating was out of the question.

Yang Zhongping was equally astounded. Both men stood there, dumbfounded, struggling to regain their composure.

Cheng Linglong, a world history teacher with limited knowledge of pharmacy, could only infer from the dense array of correct answers and the teachers' stunned expressions that Luo Ke had scored exceptionally well.

"Teachers Yang and Chen, what score did Luo Ke get this time?" Cheng Linglong inquired.

She was thrilled that Luo Ke had scored highly, but she felt it was still necessary to persuade him to abandon the idea of applying for the Martial Examination.

"Perfect score. I must admit, I was mistaken. Luo Ke certainly didn't cheat; he has the capability to achieve full marks," Yang Zhongping murmured to himself.

"A perfect score? Luo Ke, it looks like you truly have a gift for pharmacy. It would be a shame to waste such talent," Cheng Linglong exclaimed joyfully.

"Teacher, I understand your concerns. But my mind is made up; there's no need to try to convince me otherwise," Luo Ke stated firmly.

With the system in his possession, he was confident about his chances of being accepted into a martial arts college.

Yet, even if he didn't make it this time, he was ready to take the chance.

How often does one get the opportunity to truly strive for something?

He believed he would regret it forever if he didn't seize this moment.

"So, Hong Chenghui deceived me?" Yang Zhongping's face was seething with fury.

His accusation of Luo Ke's plagiarism was largely influenced by Hong Chenghui's report.

Had it not been for Hong Chenghui's adamant assurance that he witnessed Luo Ke cheating, he wouldn't have faced such humiliation.

"If Luo Ke could achieve such a score, then Hong Chenghui definitely lied to you. We need to deal with such dishonesty accordingly," Chen Yuangan said, barely hiding his glee at having something on Hong Chenghui.

Even if Luo Ke had been expelled for cheating, she was just an average student from a regular class, not in the same league as a martial student like Hong Chenghui.

"Rest assured, Teacher Yang, I'll handle Hong Chenghui's case and report back to you. I'm calling him over right now," Cheng Linglong said, activating the virtual keyboard on her wristwatch to dial Hong Chenghui's number.

At that moment, Hong Chenghui was practicing martial arts, but upon receiving Cheng Linglong's summons, he had no choice but to comply and head straight to the office.

"Luo Ke, I apologize for the misunderstanding earlier. Who says greatness can't come from humble beginnings? You're a shining example for all," Chen Yuangan said warmly as they awaited Hong Chenghui's arrival.

Luo Ke's actions had diminished the sixth class's reputation further, and Chen Yuangan was eager to express his gratitude.

"Let's not forget, after a mere three days apart, one should be seen with fresh eyes. Remember, I'm no longer the Luo Ke who used to lag behind in grades," Luo Ke responded, fully aware of Chen Yuangan's delight. Yet, harboring resentment towards Hong Chenghui, he took pleasure in the prospect of discord between Chen Yuangan and Hong Chenghui.

Soon after, Hong Chenghui entered the office.

Clearly, Cheng Linglong's stern demeanor had made an impact. Arriving drenched in sweat, Hong Chenghui's steps faltered as he took in the stern faces around him.

"This is the pharmacology exam that Teacher Chen and I just administered. Luo Ke has scored full marks again, yet you claimed he cheated. Tell me, were you lying before?" Yang Zhongping demanded, his anger palpable.

"I... I wasn't lying," Hong Chenghui stammered, taken aback to see Luo Ke's answers match the key perfectly.

He hadn't witnessed Luo Ke cheating before, but given her consistently poor performance, he was convinced that a perfect score was out of her reach. Motivated partly by a desire to see her disciplined, he had accused her of cheating.

Now, as he looked at Yang Zhongping's freshly minted exam, on which Luo Ke had again achieved full marks, he was taken aback, at a loss for words.

"Then how do you account for his perfect score on this exam?" Chen Yuangan demanded, his voice sharp and confrontational.