Inside a hospital ward.
Professor Li slowly woke up.
Seeing their teacher awaken, several students by the bedside were overjoyed. "Teacher, you're finally awake! You scared us to death…"
However, the students soon wore heavy expressions.
They hesitated to speak.
Professor Li looked at them calmly and sighed, "Just say whatever you need to say. I'm mentally prepared."
The students exchanged glances, and finally, the one closest to Professor Li spoke up. "A document was issued from above, labeling you a 'scholar of lost virtue,' and requiring all of us students who are pursuing postgraduate studies under you to change supervisors. If we refuse to change, we'll never be able to pass our postgraduate defense in this lifetime…"
As everyone knows, a postgraduate defense not only tests a student's own abilities but also the supervisor's network and status.
For example, if a student's supervisor is a prominent figure in the field, their defense is often very smooth.
As one netizen once described their defense: they were very nervous on stage, and the other supervising professors were unusually strict, repeatedly pointing out minor flaws in their thesis.
At that moment, they felt utter despair, believing they wouldn't make it.
Unexpectedly, their supervisor coughed lightly and said, "This is my student, I should recuse myself," and walked out of the room.
The next second, they were no longer subjected to any difficulty and passed smoothly.
Afterward, they learned that all the other supervising professors present had once studied under their supervisor!
This is the importance of network and status.
Following a mentor like Elder Dong is essentially equivalent to having boundless prospects;
Following a mentor like Professor Li, who has been labeled a 'scholar of lost virtue,' is basically equivalent to having dim prospects!
The choice, anyone with a brain would understand.
"Alright." Professor Li weakly waved his hand. "I understand your predicament. You are all students I have high hopes for, with bright futures ahead. There's no need to ruin your lives for me."
"On the contrary, if you switch to another supervisor at this moment, it would be like submitting a letter of allegiance and you would receive treatment that is normally unattainable."
"Go, all of you! I only hope you promise me one thing: after you achieve success in the future, always remain true to your original intentions and conscience, and do not become academic overlords like some people."
The students looked at Professor Li with complex emotions. After a long silence, they collectively stood up and bowed deeply to Professor Li. "We're sorry, teacher!"
After speaking, as if they couldn't bear to face Professor Li any longer, they fled the ward as if escaping.
Only the dejected Professor Li was left lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
"Teacher, I've come to see you."
It was another student of Professor Li who had arrived.
Professor Li didn't even look at him, merely speaking in a tone of despair far beyond sorrow, "You've also come to say goodbye, haven't you? It's alright, don't feel guilty. You are all good children, and I understand. Go ahead!"
However, to his surprise, the student did not leave.
Instead, they stood stubbornly at the door and said, "Teacher, I believe your report is correct. I want to work with you to set things right and reveal the truth!"
Professor Li's body trembled upon hearing this. He never expected to have such a student among his mentees!
He turned his head to look at the student.
It was a girl.
She was holding a thick archaeology book and wore round glasses.
Her hair was casually tied back, and she was wearing a loose, old-fashioned outfit.
She looked nothing like a typical modern university student.
But in Professor Li's eyes, this was exactly what a modern university student should look like!
This was the backbone that supported the enduring prosperity of a nation!
"Liang Yu, do you know what your words mean?" Professor Li looked at the student and asked.
The girl named Liang Yu nodded.
"Do you know that once you say this, there's no turning back?"
Liang Yu nodded again.
"And do you know that you might be implicated by me, your ten years of hard work wasted, and you might not even be able to graduate?"
Liang Yu's eyes were firm as she replied, "I know, teacher! But I also know that the discipline I study is history, and what history needs most is truth!"
"Good, good, good!" Professor Li became emotional.
He struggled to sit up from the bed.
"Then I officially announce, the sole deputy for the excavation project of the true tomb of Lord Wu'an—Liang Yu!"
The old and young, teacher and disciple, exchanged glances and shared a knowing smile.
Compared to their pursuit of truth, all the machinations and foul practices seemed insignificant.
However, their smiles didn't last long before they were stunned by a notification that followed closely.
"Professor Li: According to notice from superior departments, your application for the excavation plan of Bai Qi's tomb in the Wei River is disapproved."
It was a notice from the Wei River Management Department!
At that time, Ying Chen had told Professor Li the true location of Bai Qi's tomb, which was near the Wei River!
Instantly, Professor Li, who had just rekindled a spark of ambition, was struck by lightning and stood there stunned.
Undoubtedly, this was Elder Dong and his group using their influence to reject Professor Li's excavation plan!
And without excavation, it would be impossible to prove to the world that Professor Li's report was correct.
If Professor Li's correctness couldn't be proven, he would never be able to clear the label of 'scholar of lost virtue' in his lifetime!
And Liang Yu would never be able to graduate from her postgraduate studies!
The flame of hope that had just ignited for the two was ruthlessly extinguished!
"Liang Yu, you… you should still go!" Professor Li waved his hand in despair, signaling that it was still not too late for Liang Yu to switch to another supervisor.
But Liang Yu seemed unwilling to give up, repeatedly saying, "Teacher, think of another way, there must be a way…"
Professor Li sat on the bed, heartbroken, shaking his head. "What way can there be? You are a student, you don't understand the influence and status Elder Dong and his group have in this circle. If they are determined to ostracize someone, that person will have absolutely no way to survive in this field! Otherwise, why do you think I call them academic overlords?"
"Let alone the failure of the Bai Qi tomb excavation plan, it's likely that any archaeological plan I participate in from now on will also be aborted!"
"I am not reconciled, I am not willing, but what can I do?"
"Unless… a miracle truly happens in this world, and Lord Wu'an can be resurrected and jump out of his grave to tell the world that I am right and that Thief Dong is wrong!"
Upon hearing Professor Li's words, Liang Yu fell silent.
Bai Qi resurrected?
That was simply impossible.
In other words, there was no hope for this matter!
Liang Yu also fell into despair and helplessness.
However, what Liang Yu did not expect was that Professor Li, after speaking those words, suddenly seemed like a different person. The dejection on his face vanished.
It was replaced by a hint of hope and elation.
"Lord Wu'an… resurrected…"
"How could I have forgotten him?"
"Perhaps others cannot create miracles, but he—absolutely can!"