I Contracted All Ancient Divine Artifacts

”I have a recommendation.”

This time, it was still Elder Bing who spoke first.

It was clear that within the entire core meeting, Jia Lu (Gongyang Jin) was the one controlling the meeting’s pace, Yi Jin (Chen Tao) was the maverick, Elder Bing was the eldest and the most senior, Ding Shi (Fan Chaohui) was the stereotypical middle-aged man, and Xin Jiu (Sun Yun) was the old hand who liked to smooth things over.

”Elder Bing, please speak.”

”Shang Academy in Fulong City currently lacks a person in charge. The importance of Shang Academy, everyone present should be aware of, there’s no need for me to elaborate.”

”Furthermore, if we want to integrate into the Anti-Xia Alliance as soon as possible and increase interpersonal connections, Shang Academy is also an excellent choice.”

Shang Academy? What’s that place?

Upon hearing the name, Han Zhan was momentarily stunned.

He couldn’t discern anything from Gongyang Jin’s eternally cold and distant expression, but Chen Tao, upon hearing ”Shang Academy,” chuckled to himself.

The task of explaining what exactly Shang Academy was to Han Zhan fell upon Sun Yun, who liked to smooth things over.

He cleared his throat lightly and said, ”Shang Academy is the school attended by the children of all the Anti-Xia Alliance’s high-level officials.”

Han Zhan: ”?”

I passed through many trials, and now you want me to be a kindergarten principal?

If it hadn’t been for Elder Bing speaking on his behalf earlier, Han Zhan would have thought this proposal was targeting him.

”The next generation is the future of the Anti-Xia Alliance. It’s a very important position. We need a principal with enough authority to command respect.”

Elder Bing added another sentence.

”I agree with Elder Bing’s proposal.” Fan Chaohui was the first to express support.

”I agree as well.” This time, Chen Tao, unusually, did not object and instead looked at the others with a playful expression.

Sun Yun cleared his throat but did not express an opinion.

Gongyang Jin contemplated briefly and nodded in agreement with the proposal.

”The position of Principal of Shang Academy has remained unfilled because we’ve lacked someone capable of commanding authority.”

”Originally, Elder Bing was the best candidate for this position, but since he’s recommending you, what do you think?”

Was Xiao Jin reminding me that the position of Principal of Shang Academy isn’t easy to handle?

Han Zhan quickly discerned the meaning behind Gongyang Jin’s words.

Elder Bing is the most senior core member of the Anti-Xia Alliance. In his capacity as Principal of Shang Academy, he embodies reverence, and naturally, no one would question it.

But if a young newcomer to the Anti-Xia Alliance were to become the Principal of Shang Academy, could he really command respect?

However, given the current voting situation, there are already three votes in favor. Even with Sun Yun’s abstention vote, Xiao Jin’s opposition wouldn’t hold much weight.

Not only that, but if Xiao Jin truly voted against it, her bias would be too obvious. The seasoned members of this core meeting would certainly reassess the relationship between the two of them.

This is why Xiao Jin also nodded in agreement with the proposal.

In an instant, many thoughts raced through Han Zhan’s mind. He lifted his head to look at everyone, a faint, unaffected smile on his face.

”I am willing to accept this new position.”

Hearing Han Zhan’s personal agreement, the matter was settled.

”The Principal of Shang Academy is mainly responsible for teaching and properly guiding the students entering Shang Academy, as well as identifying talented students.”

Gongyang Jin briefly outlined the job responsibilities of the Principal of Shang Academy with a cold tone.

”The location of Shang Academy is right next to Lingyan Pavilion. You can familiarize yourself with it in advance now; you’ll officially assume the position tomorrow.”

Gongyang Jin casually gestured toward the door.

Is this a ”dismissal” out the door?

Gongyang Jin’s gesture made the smile on Chen Tao’s face widen, while the other core members kept their eyes cast down and remained silent.

At each core meeting, each core member reports on the current situation of their respective factions, and then they have a collective discussion.

Even though Han Zhan had become a core member, he’d just joined recently and was not yet privy to the core secrets related to the Anti-Xia Alliance.

Gongyang Jin’s action was not just to distance herself from Han Zhan but also to demonstrate to the other core members that there are differences even among core members.

Seeing this, Han Zhan decisively stood up, bowed to Gongyang Jin, and, after nodding to the others, turned and left.

After Han Zhan left for a while, Elder Bing finally spoke again.

”The Alliance Leader still acts as ruthlessly as ever.”

Sun Yun sighed with a trace of worry, though it was unclear whether the concern was genuine or feigned, ”Geng Jiu is, after all, not one of the Anti-Xia Alliance’s people. Approaching him this way, will he harbor resentment?”

His tone seemed to express concern, yet it also seemed a bit incendiary.

It was the language of manipulation.

Gongyang Jin snorted coldly to herself, of course, she’s not worried about Han Zhan harboring resentment. What could he do, turn against his wife?

But she still maintained a detached demeanor, saying, ”It doesn’t matter.”

”Although talent is sorely needed in the Anti-Xia Alliance, if someone proves unsuitable for major responsibilities, then it’s better not to have them at all.”

”The position of Principal of Shang Academy is a test. If he can pass it, he will have the qualification to remain here and join our core meetings.”

Gongyang Jin’s remarks pleased everyone present.

Including Chen Tao and Fan Chaohui.

Chen Tao originally harbored natural hostility towards Han Zhan due to Gongyang Jin’s apparent favoritism, but the series of actions made his hostility diminish considerably.

Because he is still here, continuing with the next round of core meetings, while some, due to lacking trust, have already left early.

Fan Chaohui, having just been defeated by Han Zhan, was feeling a bit dispirited, but Gongyang Jin’s ”differential treatment” reinstilled in him some confidence in his position among the core members of the Anti-Xia Alliance.

The same was true for Sun Yun.

Elder Bing shook his head and did not continue speaking.

Knowing Gongyang Jin’s personality, he realized that speaking further would be of no benefit.

”Let’s discuss the main business.”

Gongyang Jin took in everyone’s expressions. As the leader of the alliance, she had these few tactics.

She then spoke, changing the topic.

”Taking advantage of this core meeting, let’s review the current state of the major factions.”

”The refresh timing of the Slaughter Battlefield is not completely fixed, but based on past experiences, the time left for us is running out, so it’s important to plan ahead.”

On the other side.

After leaving the Alliance Leader’s Meeting Hall, Han Zhan made his way directly towards Lingyan Pavilion.

The displeasure and resentment he’d previously displayed had vanished, and the smile tugging at his lips grew even more pronounced.

With the tacit understanding between a seasoned couple, Han Zhan had picked up on the deeper meaning in Gongyang Jin’s earlier words:

Lingyan Pavilion is right next to Shang Academy. Whatever you want to know, feel free to investigate. I’ve kept the others here to continue the meeting; no one will hinder you.

”Xiao Jin still understands me best, truly worthy of being my wife.”