The female anchor turned into the dean of an ancient academy

Chapter 105 The calm before the storm

Chai Zhen's words, "Live well," rang like a wake-up call for Cen Jiexiao. Yes, staying alive was the most important thing, especially in this day and age. Besides, she muttered to herself, "Everyone knows that serving a king is like serving a tiger. If disaster strikes someday, perhaps there won't even be a reason."

After leaving the hall, Chen Zigui looked at her meaningfully. The look in his eyes was complicated and difficult to discern, with worry and helplessness. Cen Jiexiao felt particularly embarrassed by his gaze, so she quickly lowered her head to avoid his sight and pretended to straighten her sleeves.

"Sister Cen." Chen Zigui called her.

Cen Jiexiao had no choice but to stop, turned around, and forced a smile: "Big Brother, what's wrong? Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

Seeing her evasive behavior, Chen Zigui sighed softly, walked over to her, and said in a low voice, "Sister Cen, this sacrificial ceremony is of great importance..."

"I know, don't worry, senior brother, I will be careful." Cen Jiexiao interrupted him, not wanting to make him worry.

Chen Zigui shook his head, his tone becoming more serious: "Sister Cen, please listen to what I have to say."

Seeing his serious expression, Cen Jiexiao put away her joking thoughts and nodded seriously: "Big Brother, you say."

Chen Zigui then continued, "This sacrificial ceremony is of great importance, but more importantly, you will likely face many complex situations after the ceremony. Please prioritize your own safety. You are the hope of Zhaoyin Academy."

Cen Jiexiao rolled her eyes inwardly and thought: Senior Brother, Senior Brother, now that we are on the official career path, there may be very few opportunities for us to drink and chat together like we did in Yunxiang Tower. I really hope that one day, you and I can talk about everything without being bound by the academy and work.

"Don't worry, senior brother. I'll keep it in mind. After all, this is a matter concerning her life and property. If you don't handle it well, losing her head would be the least of her worries!" Sister Cen Xiaopi forced a smile and replied.

"Girl, it's already this late, and you still have the heart to joke around." Chen Zigui shook his head helplessly, "I'm serious. You better be careful and don't take it lightly."

"I understand, Big Brother." Cen Jiexiao restrained her smile and nodded seriously, "I will be careful."

Seeing that she had listened, Chen Zigui finally felt relieved and his tone softened. "Sister Cen, you and I are both from Zhaoyin Academy. If anything goes wrong, we should support each other and overcome difficulties together. If you need any help with this East Sea sacrifice, please feel free to ask and I will do my best."

"Thank you very much, Senior Brother." Cen Jiexiao replied casually.

After seeing Chen Zigui off, Cen Jiexiao breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if she had fought a tough battle. She rubbed her aching temples and mentally considered her next steps. After the sacrificial ceremony, as the Yuyang Province's Education Commissioner, she would inspect the education situation in several other prefectures. With so many things on her mind, the distracted Cen Jiexiao could only put some things aside and focus on the tasks at hand.

After returning to Zhaoyin Academy, Cen Jiexiao immediately summoned the backbone members of the Qiming Group and the Wuke Class, and began to arrange security work for the formal sacrifice two days later.

"I'm sure everyone knows the mission this time." Cen Jiexiao glanced at everyone and said in a serious tone, "I won't elaborate."

"Dean, please rest assured, we will never let you down!" A smart and capable young man from the Qiming group patted his chest and promised.

"Okay, I believe you." Cen Jiexiao nodded. "This sacrificial ceremony is extraordinary, and the forces involved are complex and intertwined. You must be extremely vigilant and not take it lightly."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.

During her visit to Emperor Chai Zhen, Cen Jiexiao had mentioned the Qiming Group and the Wukeban (military examination class). Chai Zhen was quite interested in these young people. "Oh? How come I've never heard of such an organization at Zhaoyin Academy?" Chai Zhen asked with interest, putting down the memorial in his hand.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Qiming Group and the Wuke Class were specially established by me to serve the court." Cen Jiexiao bowed and replied.

"Oh? Tell me about it." Chai Zhen became interested.

Cen Jiexiao explained to Chai Zhen that the Qiming Group, as its name suggests, was a secret organization established to "enlighten civilization" in the Great Zhou. Its mission was to gather intelligence, secretly protect important figures, and carry out "secret" missions. The students in the military class were rigorously trained "reserve officers," each possessing exceptional skills and expertise in various weapons and tactics.

"Interesting." After listening to Cen Jiexiao's introduction, Chai Zhen stroked his beard and said with a smile, "It seems that my beloved Cen is really a hidden talent."

"I dare not," Cen Jiexiao said hurriedly, "Everything I do is for the Great Zhou, for His Majesty."

"Okay, okay." Chai Zhen smiled and nodded, "I believe you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Sister Cen Xiao kowtowed to express her gratitude.

Thinking of Chai Zhen's instructions, Cen Jiexiao said to everyone with a serious expression, "Everyone. This East Sea sacrificial ceremony is full of undercurrents. We must be doubly careful. A single carelessness could lead to eternal damnation. What you must do is ensure the safety of His Majesty, and..." Cen Jiexiao paused, her eyes sweeping across the crowd, "your own safety."

"Don't worry, Dean. We will protect the safety of His Majesty and the Dean with our lives!" The students of the Qiming Group and the Military Science Class responded in unison, their voices loud and powerful.

On the shores of the East China Sea, waves surged, and the sea breeze, carrying fine grains of salt, lapped against the rocks. The quadrennial East China Sea Sacrifice Ceremony was about to be held here. The emperor would personally attend the altar and pray to the sea gods for good weather, peace, and prosperity for the people of the Zhou Dynasty.

Cen Jiexiao was dressed in a sharp suit, her long black hair tied up high, leaving only a few strands to flutter gently in the sea breeze. She stood on a high ground, her eyes scanning the layout around the sacrificial site with a sharp gaze, meticulously examining every detail.

"Qiming Group, report the situation." Cen Jiexiao said to Ye Qingwu, the leader of Qiming Group 4. This person was carefully selected by Cen Jiexiao from the students of the academy. He was meticulous and had amazing observation skills.

"The Qiming team has completed the search of the three-mile area around the altar and found no suspicious persons." Ye Qingwu's clear and loud voice was like a fresh force that entered the ears of everyone present.

"Military Science Class, report the situation." Cen Jiexiao asked another boy.

"The martial arts class has set up secret sentries on all the roads leading to the altar to ensure that there are no leaks." A deep and powerful male voice was heard. It was Zhao Hu, one of the deputy team leaders of the martial arts class. As his name suggests, he was tall and mighty, with superb martial arts skills, and was extremely loyal to Cen Jiexiao.

"Very good, everyone has worked hard. You must be extremely alert and not slack off at all." Although Cen Jiexiao's voice was soft, it carried an unquestionable majesty.

"Yes!" Ye Qingwu and Zhao Hu's voices were transmitted to Cen Jiexiao at the same time, expressing their attitudes with a determination to face death.

Cen Jiexiao's brow furrowed slightly, a strange feeling of unease welling up within her. Ever since arriving in the "Great Zhou Dynasty," she'd been dedicated to implementing new policies, but she'd accidentally impacted the interests of so many people and made many enemies. Thinking of this, she sighed softly and muttered to herself, "I hope this sacrifice goes smoothly..."