Chapter 270 - 270 Elder Song
270 Elder Song
“Wu Yue, we’ve been in the Research Department for nearly 30 years. We’ve brought up many excellent blacksmiths in our time. Even if those many talents aren’t all over the world, they should have made a difference in countless cities.
“I’ve been competing with you for half my life. Whether it’s in terms of my own skills or my disciples’ skills, I’ve always secretly compared myself to you. I’ve never lost to you, but after seeing Wu Mo, I, Tan Qize, completely admit defeat.”
Wu Mo could hear the deprecation in Professor Tan’s tone as he listened to his words.
He wanted to say something, but Academician Xu responded first. “You and I are both veterans in the Research Department. Why do we still have to care about these things?
“I know you’re ambitious, but everyone can see how capable you are. Haven’t you made enough contributions to the Research Department over the years?
“Besides, when Wu Mo first came, I only gave him a few simple instructions. I didn’t teach him anything during that period of time. Everything he learned was from his own effort. You don’t know that Wu Mo has almost flipped through all the books in the internal reference room over the past few months. He improved so quickly because of his own actions. Don’t you know that?”
Academician Xu’s words of comfort did not have much effect.
Professor Tan sighed and said, “I stand by my statement because I’m convinced that your talent scout has a good eye. He dared to skip protocol and use emergency channels to recruit Wu Mo into the Research Department. On the other hand, I’m old and blind.
“Dying jade was still being cultivated like a treasure. I failed to perform the most basic supervision work, allowing that Chu Qingyan to do inhumane things! For his own benefit, he used the advanced equipment in the Research Department to work for the terrorists without considering the consequences.
“Ma.s.s-producing powerful firearms, stealing the Research Department’s data, betraying the White River province… Although I didn’t do all those things myself, when I think about how those weapons will eventually be aimed at our own people, how can I be at ease?”
Professor Tan’s voice was deep. Although he only uttered a few short sentences, the information contained in them was enough for Wu Mo to think about for a long time.
The smile on Wu Mo’s face faded, and he became serious.
Betraying the state, working for terrorists, and manufacturing illegal firearms… All of these were extremely heavy crimes, but Chu Qingyan had only received the punishment of being banished.
Furthermore, not only was his life unaffected, he even joined the most powerful Red Heart province and pa.s.sed the test to partic.i.p.ate in the Nine Provinces’ exchange conference.
After Chu Qingyan was kicked out of the White River province, he took the opportunity to join the Red Heart province, and his status rose.
Was this not a form of humiliation for everyone in the Research Department?
The other party’s actions had broken through the limits of a human, but he had not received the corresponding punishment. How could this dispel the hatred in everyone’s hearts?
Of all the people present, the one who was most affected by this incident was Professor Tan.
His last disciple, Chu Qingyan, had committed so many crimes that he, as a professor, would inevitably be implicated. Although the leaders of the military department did not punish Professor Tan for his contributions to the Research Department, Chu Qingyan was still a professor.
However, how could Professor Tan get over this?
Even though Wu Mo did not have much contact with Professor Tan, he could feel the guilt and self-blame in his heart.
He had seen his disciple, Chu Qingyan, frequently in the past year. Professor Tan had spent a lot of time and energy on Chu Qingyan.
Just like a pet, after more than a year of endless companionship, there would also be feelings, let alone a living person.
Who could easily wipe away the pain of being bitten by their closest disciple?
And all of this was caused by that guy called Chu Qingyan.
It was hard to stay calm after doing such treasonous things, but he could be promoted to a higher rank and be given a better environment!
He clenched his fists that were hidden in his sleeves, and his heart was filled with a deep hatred for the guy called Chu Qingyan.
Xu Wuyue looked at Professor Tan’s aged face and sighed. He only hoped that his old friend, Tan Qize, would come out of his depression soon.
At this moment, an old man walked into the crowd. After scanning the crowd, he walked straight in Wu Mo’s direction.
The other party had a head of white hair, but his face did not look old. There was the temperament of a person who had been in power for a long time between his brows.
The other party was only wearing a simple gray brocade robe. Compared to the leaders who were dressed in formal clothes, the old man’s outfit was not eye-catching.
However, Wu Mo knew that the elders who could appear here must be people of high status.
A moment later, the old man quickly arrived in front of the three of them. When Academician Xu saw the old man’s face clearly, a hint of surprise flashed across his face.
“Elder Song, what are you doing here?”
He immediately raised his hand and saluted while speaking in a respectful tone.
Professor Tan immediately collected himself and bowed.
Wu Mo opened his mouth slightly. He had expected that Xu Wuyue’s status was not low, but he did not expect Xu Wuyue to be so respectful.
Therefore, when Academician Xu and Professor Tan bowed, he also bowed.
However, when he lowered his head, Wu Mo frowned and began to search his mind. Who was the leader surnamed Song that had such a high position that even someone like Academician Xu had to treat him with respect?
“The White River province is organizing an exhibition. As the chairman, how can I not be there? However, we haven’t seen each other for only a year, and your spiritual power has become much more powerful.”
The old man chuckled, his every movement exuding the air of a superior.
“You flatter me, Elder Song,” Academician Xu humbly replied.
Then, Elder Song turned to look at Professor Tan, who was standing beside him, with a puzzled expression.
“I’m Tan Qize, and I’m currently a professor at the Fifth Research Department.” Professor Tan immediately cupped his hands and said.
“Well… not bad. You’re only in your early 50s, but you’re already at the middle of six stars. Someone with such skills is rare even among professors.”
Elder Song nodded with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
He had approached Xu Wuyue to catch up, but when he saw a few people standing next to him, he gave up on the idea.
Nevertheless, once he saw that Xu Wuyue’s ability had improved and another talented professor was around, he felt satisfied.
With Xu Wuyue and several professors, the Fifth Research Department would be able to develop well.
Thinking of this, Song Yi prepared to leave after a few words, but Xu Wuyue said, “Elder Song, this is my student’s first time meeting you. He must be a little nervous. Please don’t blame him. Let me introduce him to you. His name is Wu Mo, and he’s currently an early-stage five-star blacksmith!
Xu Wuyue’s voice instantly pulled Wu Mo out of his state of memory searching.