NOVEL NEXT Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Vice Captain of the Second Team?
Chapter 200: Vice Captain of the Second Team?
"One of the dishes is called Dongpo Pork, invented by a scholar named Su Dongpo," Kong began explaining as he worked on the dish.
Speaking of Su Dongpo, Kong paused awkwardly and glanced at the ceiling, his expression a mix of speechlessness and amusement. "This scholar… well, he had a younger brother who was always bailing him out of trouble."
If not for constantly calling out, "Brother, save me!" Su Dongpo probably wouldn't have survived for long!
Raiden Shogun, Dugu Yan, and the chef-disciples were left puzzled. This dish had a story? And what did it mean for Su Dongpo to have a younger brother who always bailed him out?
The word "bail out" wasn't hard to understand, but did it imply that Su Dongpo often got himself into trouble?
Just as the chef was about to ask, Kong had already begun scalding the pork skin, silencing the question on his lips.
A dish with such a tale—what chef wouldn't want to learn more? But for now, he decided to observe Kong's cooking process and ask later.
Roughly half an hour later, two dishes were ready.
One was Dongpo Pork; the other, Stir-fried Spicy Beef.
As soon as they were served, the rich aroma filled the kitchen, leaving the chefs of Douluo Continent in awe. The fragrance was extraordinary!
It rivaled the heavenly aroma of the Twice-Cooked Pork Kong had prepared in the past, once again raising the bar for culinary excellence.
(Scene Change: Midnight Temptation)
Meanwhile, Tang San had successfully absorbed the spirit ring of the 4,000-year Mandala Snake and returned to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
The first thing Tang San did upon returning was to apply to be transferred to the second team of the Emperor Battle Team.
This decision baffled many.
After all, the first team of the Emperor Battle Team was automatically qualified for the finals. Even as a substitute, Tang San would have had the opportunity to go to the finals.
But he requested to join the second team?
The three Education Committee members didn't think much of it and quickly approved his request.
Initially, they had planned to place the former Shrek members in the second team anyway.
In the Emperor Battle Team's first team, if they could defeat an official member, they would take their spot. If not, they could either move to the second team or remain as substitutes.
This arrangement was a courtesy to Flender, Zhao Wuji, and Shao Xin.
"Now that you've reached the level of a Spirit Ancestor, just being a member of the second team might feel beneath you. How about this: you'll join as the vice captain of the second team," said Meng Shenji with a smile.
"As for the captaincy, I'm afraid it's not negotiable. The captain of the second team is decided by the team's mentor, and we cannot interfere in that decision."
Meng Shenji believed this offer was more than generous. Anyone else would have been deeply grateful. However, Meng Shenji miscalculated this time.
He was dealing with Tang San, someone who barely understood the concept of gratitude.
Grateful?
Tang San not thinking of Meng Shenji as an obstacle to be eliminated was already a mercy!
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Tang San froze. He could only be the vice captain of the second team?
Why?!
In his eyes, none of those pampered aristocrats in the second team had combat skills superior to his.
What Tang San failed to grasp was that the Emperor Battle Team's first team represented Heaven Dou Imperial Academy's true strength.
The second team? He was right—they were indeed filled with pampered noble heirs.
But those noble heirs represented powerful factions within the empire. Giving them some face was necessary. After all, these heirs might one day become the pillars of the empire.
This is the meaning of the second team's existence.
Tang San wants to be captain? Who does he think he is?
Does he think anyone can just become the captain?
"Meng Shenji, you'll regret this!"
Tang San was furious inside, but outwardly, he maintained his composure. After all, the three elders in this room were all Spirit Douluo-level powerhouses. Even with Tang Hao as his father, Tang San wouldn't dare offend them easily, especially since his father wasn't present to back him up.
"Thank you, Commissioner Meng," Tang San said through gritted teeth. These words were agonizing to utter.
Meng Shenji and the other two commissioners had lived for decades and seen all kinds of people.
Even though Tang San hid his displeasure well, they could sense his dissatisfaction. But so what?
His discontent only showed that he was immature—nothing more.
Meng Shenji's eyes flickered with disdain. A person like Tang San wouldn't amount to much.
Did Tang San not realize that being appointed vice captain of the second team was already an enormous favor? Moreover, this decision might even cause friction with the original vice captain. Yet, Tang San had the gall not to appreciate it!
What a piece of work!
"This kid is a classic example of an ungrateful wolf. Once the All-Continent Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is over, we'll let him graduate. Spending academy resources on him is a complete waste," Meng Shenji thought to himself.
His decision wasn't likely to face opposition. The other two commissioners, even if they didn't always align with him, would support such a stance.
Students like Tang San—or rather, ingrates like Tang San—weren't worth nurturing.
You could be an aristocratic brat or even cause trouble, but if you lacked basic gratitude, investing resources in you was nothing but a waste.
"You may leave now. Report to the second team tomorrow," Meng Shenji said with a hint of irritation.
Tang San had been with Heaven Dou Imperial Academy for some time, and the academy had never treated him poorly. Despite his non-noble status, he was provided resources equivalent to those of Heaven Dou-level students.
And this was the result? Seriously?
After Tang San left, the three commissioners exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly.
"Flender and the others really picked a strange one. What rotten luck. At least they joined the academy—otherwise, they'd be getting dragged down by this kid without even realizing it," Bai Baoshan joked.
His sturdy build made him the most physically imposing of the three, befitting his status as a defense-type Spirit Douluo.
"Once the tournament ends, let's have him graduate. The academy isn't lacking resources, but we won't waste them on ingrates. We owe it to the citizens of the empire to use their tax contributions to cultivate genuine talents who will become the pillars of society!"
At this, the other two commissioners rolled their eyes.
Tang San stormed out of the committee office and returned to his dorm, seething with rage.
He was now a Spirit Ancestor, a proud powerhouse in his own right. Those old fools were truly blind! They didn't let him be the captain of the second team and only gave him the position of vice captain to appease him. What use did he have for such a position?
Who would the team listen to, the captain or the vice captain?
"Those blind old fools—you'll all regret this!"
Tang San didn't know what else to curse, but that summed it up. Once his strength increased or his true power was revealed during the tournament, those old men would undoubtedly regret their decision…
(End of Chapter)
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