Chapter 25 The Privileges of the Top Scholar
At that moment, somewhere within the examination hall for the national college entrance exam, a pair of eyes was fixed intently on Xu Han’s back. The observer snapped a photo of Xu Han and sent it off.
Inside a villa in Donghai City, a middle-aged man sat at his desk. His communicator buzzed. He picked it up and glanced at the screen.
“Oh? This year’s top scorer, Xu Han? He actually managed to secure such generous benefits from Longguo University, and reached level fifteen within seven days.” The man mused, “It seems the boy possesses remarkable talents.”
“Have someone make contact with him. If we can bring him under our wing, he’s worth cultivating. Otherwise... just eliminate him, so as not to leave a potential threat behind.”
...
After leaving the exam hall, Xu Han went out to hunt monsters and level up, returning only when night had fallen. As he approached his home, he saw his homeroom teacher and the principal standing at his doorstep, carrying gifts.
When Xu Han arrived, both the teacher and principal greeted him with warm, enthusiastic smiles.
“Xu Han, you’re back so late—have you been training outside the city again? No wonder you managed to reach level fifteen in just seven days!” The principal couldn’t help but give him a thumbs-up, praising him.
Though Xu Han had inherited the memories of the original owner of his body, the original Xu Han had always been a quiet, overlooked student—rarely noticed by teachers or the principal. He felt little familiarity with them, and Xu Han regarded the teacher and principal as strangers.
“Teacher, Principal, is there something you need?” Xu Han asked bluntly.
The principal beamed, “The school always pays close attention to the wellbeing of its students.”
“I heard long ago that you live alone and your living conditions aren’t very good.”
“So, your homeroom teacher and I came to visit, and we brought a few things to express our care.”
Xu Han understood well. If he hadn’t been specially admitted to Longguo University, the principal and his teacher wouldn’t have even known he existed. Even if he greeted them, they probably wouldn’t recognize him as a student of the school.
Still, since they’d come bearing gifts, it would be impolite to reject them.
He opened the door and invited the principal and teacher inside.
...
They placed their gifts in a heap on the table. Xu Han glanced over them—there was exotic beast meat and several pieces of equipment. They had made quite an effort.
The principal introduced, “This is meat from a second-tier beast, the Moonshadow Wolf. It’s the finest beast meat available in Donghai City.”
Xu Han’s eyes lit up as he nodded, “Thank you, Principal.”
The principal’s smile grew broader. He was confident that such offerings would leave Xu Han with a good impression.
He then produced a pendant, saying, “This is a silver-grade Wood Spirit Talisman—”
He hadn’t finished speaking when a knock sounded at the door.
Xu Han, puzzled, got up to answer it. Opening the door, he saw Director Liu Qiangjun of the Education Bureau standing outside, accompanied by several well-dressed men and women.
“Director Liu?” Xu Han was surprised.
Liu Qiangjun smiled, “Congratulations, Xu Han.”
“I’ve come today to pay a visit to our Donghai City’s top scorer—no, the national top scorer!”
“And to bring you the prize for achieving first place.”
Xu Han smiled, “Thank you, Director Liu.”
Liu glanced into the house and asked, “Do you have guests?”
Upon seeing the principal and homeroom teacher, he understood, “Ah, Principal Wang is here as well. Seems my timing isn’t ideal.”
Principal Wang rose awkwardly, “No, no, Director Liu. I was just checking in on Xu Han’s living conditions.”
“We’ve finished chatting and were just leaving. Please, enjoy your conversation.”
He turned to Xu Han, “Xu Han, whenever you have time, you’re always welcome at school. The school will always be your home.”
With that, he hurried away, dragging the homeroom teacher with him.
Xu Han invited Liu Qiangjun and his group inside.
Liu Qiangjun smiled, “Xu Han, according to tradition, the Education Bureau awards fifty thousand yuan to the city’s top scorer.”
“But this year is different.”
“Not only are you Donghai City’s top scorer, you’re the top scorer in the entire nation!”
“So, after consultation among the bureau’s leadership, we unanimously decided to raise the prize to two hundred thousand yuan. And, in the name of the Education Bureau, we’ll also gift you an apartment.”
Xu Han’s eyes brightened. The Education Bureau was truly generous!
In the city, every square meter was precious, and even the most ordinary apartment cost millions.
Yet the Bureau was giving one away, no questions asked!
His current home was left by his parents, barely over sixty square meters, and had stood for forty or fifty years—dilapidated and worn out. If he could move to a larger, newer place, life would indeed be more comfortable.
After a brief conversation, Liu Qiangjun and his party took their leave.
Xu Han was just about to taste the Moonshadow Wolf meat when another knock came at the door.
Puzzled, he opened it and found a rotund, jovial-looking middle-aged man standing outside.
“Hello, are you Xu Han?” the man asked with a smile.
Xu Han nodded, “And you are...?”
The man quickly introduced himself, “Xu Han, my name is Qian Duo. I have a business proposition I’d like to discuss. May I come in?”
Xu Han was a bit confused, but nodded and led Qian Duo inside.
Qian Duo settled onto the sofa, glanced around the house, and commented, “Xu Han, your place is quite old, and the furniture looks like it’s from decades ago. It can’t be very comfortable.”
Xu Han’s brows furrowed slightly. “If you have something to say, just get to the point. Don’t beat around the bush.”
Qian Duo maintained his smile, “Alright, since you’re so straightforward, I’ll come right out with it.”
“Have you heard of the Abyssal Church?”
Xu Han’s brows furrowed further, “Isn’t that the organization that worships exotic beasts and seeks to eradicate humanity?”
Qian Duo waved a hand dismissively, “No, no, we don’t want to eradicate humanity. As you can see, I’m human myself—why would I destroy my own kind?”
“Our church simply believes that most people are tumors, serving no purpose in this world and only wasting resources.”
“Only those who are useful to the world deserve to continue living.”
“Everything we do is righteous!”
“We aim to help the world by eliminating those tumors!”
“Now, surely you’ll change your mind about our church?”
But Xu Han shook his head, “I have no interest in the Abyssal Church.”
“Please leave. I need to rest.”
Faced with Xu Han’s dismissal, Qian Duo’s smile remained, but it sent a chill down Xu Han’s spine.
“Xu Han, are you sure you don’t want to join the Abyssal Church?”