Zhu Liren fell silent.
He Weijun's piercing gaze fixed on him, his tone sharp as he spoke again:
"I asked—who hurt you? What are you afraid of? Retribution?"
Clasping his hands in a respectful gesture, Zhu Liren shook his head. "This disciple finds it difficult to say..."
"There’s nothing difficult to say!" He Weijun interrupted, his voice rising. "No matter who the perpetrator is, or their status, if they dare harm the geniuses of Junji Academy, it’s a direct insult to me as the headmaster!"
True fury flashed across He Weijun’s face as he continued, his voice low and dangerous:
"If even the disciples of Junji Academy can’t have their grievances avenged, then this academy has no reason to exist!"
Zhu Liren’s eyes reddened with emotion, tears pooling as he dropped to his knees before He Weijun. Choking on his words, he pleaded:
"I beg the headmaster to seek justice for me and my younger brother!"
Moments later, Zhu Changyu was carried in on a stretcher by attendants, his body battered and lifeless, barely clinging to life.
"Outrageous!"
He Weijun's anger surged. "Those who join Junji Academy—be they disciples or family—are under its protection. Who dares act with such audacity?!"
Seeing Zhu Changyu’s near-death state, He Weijun’s emotions roiled. A surge of literary energy erupted from his body, whipping up fierce winds throughout the Zhu family estate.
The display was terrifying.
Internally, Zhu Changyu was ecstatic, suppressing a sneer as he thought to himself:
Lin Yi, let’s see how you survive this. Did you think hiding under the protection of Pingzhou Academy’s tutors would let you trample on me? Ha!
Zhu Liren’s black hair whipped in the wind as he knelt, his voice trembling with righteous indignation:
"It was Tutor Chen Jinbei of Pingzhou Academy who harmed me!"
He gritted his teeth and continued:
"Chen Jinbei fancied a scholar accused of stealing mystical techniques and wanted to take him as a disciple. To clear the man’s name, he interfered with the county court’s investigation and framed others for the crime! My younger brother, Zhu Changyu, stood up to expose the truth. But Chen Jinbei, a ninth-rank scholar of the Way of Literature, severely injured him in retaliation. If not for the inked talisman protecting my brother’s body, he would already be dead!"
"When I sought justice for my brother, Chen Jinbei struck me as well, brazenly declaring that he didn’t care if Pingzhou Academy made enemies of Junji Academy!"
Zhu Liren lowered his head, pressing it to the cold stone floor. His words were laced with grief and fury, painting Chen Jinbei and Lin Yi as villains of the highest order.
Boom!
Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.
He Weijun's rage erupted, an overwhelming aura of murderous intent sweeping through the skies above the Zhu estate. Dark clouds gathered ominously, the heavens echoing his fury.
This display of natural phenomena, influenced by his emotions, was the mark of a fourth-rank Gentleman of Virtue—a scholar recognized by the heavens.
"Chen Jinbei, how dare you!"
He Weijun’s icy glare locked onto Zhu Liren. Grinding his teeth, he growled, "Where is he now?"
"In the private school within the town," Zhu Liren replied swiftly. "This disciple will lead the way!"
"Lead on!"
Zhu Liren rose, turning to guide He Weijun. The moment his back was to the headmaster, a sly smile crept onto his lips.
To pit Lin Yi and Chen Jinbei against He Weijun, ensuring their demise, while erasing Pingzhou Academy from Nanshang Prefecture entirely...
This scheme will be the crowning achievement of my life.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, outside the humble private school in the town...
"Tutor Chen!"
Lin Yi and Su Huaizhi emerged, each carrying a worn wooden crate.
The crates contained their entire worldly possessions—tattered books and faded, threadbare clothes.
Chen Jinbei smiled warmly at Lin Yi. "Is everything packed? But don’t rush—we won’t head to the academy just yet. The headmaster is visiting an elder in town. We might even gain an unexpected opportunity from this meeting!"
"An opportunity?" Lin Yi was surprised. "I didn’t expect such a reclusive expert to live in a place as small as Daxing Town."
"It seems fortune is on our side," Chen Jinbei said with a chuckle. "The headmaster hasn’t met this elder yet but is close to finding him. Let’s catch up and see!"
"Alright!"
Lin Yi loaded the crates onto an ox cart, helping Su Huaizhi settle in before urging the cart forward to follow Chen Jinbei.
But then—clip-clop, clip-clop—a group of men in blue uniforms appeared from all directions, surrounding them.
These men exuded hostility, their expressions cold as they stared down the trio, yet made no immediate move.
Chen Jinbei frowned, his voice steady but sharp:
"Zhu family, how bold of you to obstruct scholars! Do you not fear the wrath of those who walk the literary path?"
It was clear these men were part of the Zhu household. Only a family with a literary prodigy could afford to maintain such an entourage.
"Hah! Your arrogance precedes you," came a voice, firm and resonant.
He Weijun strode into view, flanked by Zhu Liren. Dressed in a black scholar’s robe and wearing a ceremonial headpiece, he carried himself with an air of authority. Literary energy swirled around him, exuding an otherworldly aura.
"Tutor Chen."
Chen Jinbei’s heart sank. He immediately recognized He Weijun and couldn’t hide his shock.
Why is he here? Could it be, like Headmaster Zheng, he’s also seeking this elder?
Nearby, Lin Yi was equally stunned.
Another headmaster? And they’re here for the same elder? Just how influential is this person?
Lin Yi briefly entertained the idea of abandoning Chen Jinbei and seeking this elder’s favor himself.
"Enough!"
He Weijun’s voice boomed. "I will not accept your empty pleasantries. You injured my disciples—what do you have to say for yourself?"
Suppressing his anger, He Weijun maintained composure, mindful of the elder who might be watching from the shadows.
Lin Yi’s heart sank. This is bad. Chen was right—this headmaster really does protect his own without regard for reason.
But then, remembering that Pingzhou Academy’s headmaster might also intervene, Lin Yi calmed himself.
"Your disciples?" Chen Jinbei’s voice was firm. "The Zhu brothers ganged up on my student. Am I to stand by and do nothing?"
"And this ‘student’ of yours," He Weijun retorted, pointing at Lin Yi, "is a known criminal who stole mystical techniques! Is this the caliber of student Pingzhou Academy recruits? How disgraceful!"
"I intend to petition the Sacred Academy to strip Pingzhou Academy of its teaching license!"
Stripping the license meant obliterating the academy itself.
"Idiot," Lin Yi muttered under his breath, his patience snapping.
He didn’t care that He Weijun was a headmaster. If provoked, he’d either fight or mock—whatever worked.
What nonsense is this?