The ox-cart came to a halt outside the private school. Lin Yi noticed a crowd gathered near the entrance, seemingly engaged in a heated dispute.

"What’s going on?" he asked.

Chen Jinbei chuckled. "Why not go take a look? My guess is they’re waiting for you."

Lin Yi smiled, his heart warming at the thought of the neighbors rallying to his side. He had always enjoyed a good reputation in Daxing Town—helping out whenever someone was in need. Surely they believed he had been wronged.

With that thought, Lin Yi approached the crowd. However, as he drew closer, his smile froze, and his fists clenched tightly.

"Ruin his reputation? Lin Yi is already a convicted criminal!" a loud voice declared. "I checked—it’s true! He’s been sentenced to exile by the county magistrate. That’s just one step short of a death sentence!"

The speaker, a young man holding a folding fan, strode confidently toward the center of the crowd.

"It’s Zhu Changyu!" someone whispered.

The villagers parted to make way, their attitudes turning deferential.

Lin Yi stopped short when he recognized Zhu Changyu. His brow furrowed, and his steps faltered.

Zhu Changyu—a self-proclaimed scholar from a family of literati—was the younger brother of Zhu Liren, a respected academic at Junji Academy. In Daxing Town, the Zhu family’s influence was second to none, even the county magistrate showed them respect.

Lin Yi’s predecessor had once considered Zhu Changyu a close friend. This same man had lent him money and helped secure his position as a county bailiff. Yet now, Zhu Changyu stood before him, adding fuel to the flames of his disgrace.

"Young Master Zhu, is it true?" a merchant asked, his voice tinged with alarm. "Has Lin Yi really committed such a serious crime?"

"We can’t let Su Huaizhi teach here anymore!" another merchant chimed in. "What if our children follow his example? A man who raised a criminal has no place as a teacher!"

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The crowd’s anger swelled. They had pooled their funds to establish the private school, believing they were investing in their children’s future. Su Huaizhi’s perceived failure to instill proper values now felt like a betrayal.

Zhu Changyu waved his fan theatrically. "It’s true. For the sake of our town’s children, I’d be honored to step in as the new teacher."

The merchants erupted into cheers. "Young Master Zhu, please! With your brother’s connections and your talents, you’re the perfect choice!"

"Out with Su Huaizhi!" someone shouted. "He’s a disgrace!"

"Get rid of the criminal’s father!"

Even Zhu Changyu’s lackey swaggered forward, aiming a kick at Su Huaizhi’s scattered belongings. Before his foot could land, Lin Yi appeared, delivering a sharp kick to the man’s shin.

Thud!

"Ahhh! My leg!" The lackey crumpled to the ground, clutching his leg and wailing in pain.

"Who dares?" Zhu Changyu roared. The crowd turned, their expressions shifting from anger to shock as they recognized Lin Yi.

"Lin Yi?!"

"How is he here? Didn’t he get exiled?"

Ignoring the murmurs, Lin Yi bent down to gather Su Huaizhi’s belongings. Helping his father to his feet, he asked gently, "Father, are you all right?"

Su Huaizhi nodded, though his voice trembled. "I’m fine. But… Xiao Yi, you… you’re back?"

"I’m back." Lin Yi forced a reassuring smile, though his eyes burned with fury as he surveyed the crowd.

Disappointment surged through him. These were people his predecessor had called neighbors and friends, people who once treated Su Huaizhi with respect. Now, their hypocrisy was laid bare.

Lin Yi could hardly imagine what might have happened if he hadn’t returned. Would his father have been left destitute and broken, cast aside by the very community he had served?

"Lin Yi!" Zhu Changyu’s voice rang out, feigning concern. "How bold of you to flee exile! Surrender now before you make things worse for yourself!"

The merchants, emboldened, called out, "Seize him! Deliver him to the authorities and claim the reward!"

Lin Yi’s cold gaze swept over the crowd. "Try it," he said, his voice low but full of menace.

Those who had been inching closer froze, unnerved by the deadly calm in Lin Yi’s tone.

"Let’s not make trouble," Su Huaizhi whispered, tugging on Lin Yi’s sleeve. "These people… we can’t afford to offend them."

Lin Yi clenched his fists, then released them with a sigh. "Fine."

He helped Su Huaizhi toward the edge of the crowd, ready to leave quietly. But Zhu Changyu stepped forward, his fan snapping shut with a sharp clack.

"Stop right there!" he barked. "I have a good relationship with Magistrate Sun. He told me your case is ironclad—a death sentence commuted to exile only because of my intervention. And this is how you repay me? Assaulting my man and walking away without so much as a thank-you?"

Zhu Changyu shook his head, his tone dripping with mock disappointment. "Lin Yi, have you no shame?"

Lin Yi stopped and turned; his gaze icy. He took a step closer, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.

"Who do you think you are?"