Brawl

As Song Qingyi passed by the academy’s main gate, she faintly heard a commotion outside.

The beautiful female instructor walked out gracefully and saw, not far from the gate, a crowd of students gathered around something, with the sounds of fighting and cries of pain coming from within.

Song Qingyi’s expression tightened. She hurried forward, pushing through the students while asking, “Who’s fighting? What’s happened?”

But the crowd was packed three or four layers deep, so her progress was slow.

“Teacher Song!” Students on the outside turned and, seeing her, immediately stepped aside respectfully. Someone answered, “It’s Yan Xiaohu and a new student we don’t know…”

“Yan Xiaohu…” Song Qingyi called out at once, “Yan Xiaohu, stop this instant! You’re not allowed to bully or beat your classmates!”

Yet the sounds of violence and agony inside did not abate; as she drew nearer, the cries of pain grew even more miserable.

Hearing those heavy thuds and smacks, Song Qingyi frowned deeply. “This is my final warning, Yan Xiaohu! If you don’t stop now, I’ll have the dean expel you!”

Her raised voice was recognized by the students in front, who quickly cleared a path for her.

And then…

Song Qingyi saw Yan Xiaohu lying bloodied and pitiful on the ground, his face battered so badly that he could barely open his eyes, which were a blur of blood and tears. He whimpered helplessly,

“Teacher Song, I already stopped! I didn’t even dare fight back! I’ve been beaten like this, and you still want to expel me…”

“Huh?” Song Qingyi was startled, her expression one of utter disbelief.

In her memory, Yan Xiaohu was the notorious bully of Nanshan Academy, always harassing his classmates, so hearing he was involved in a fight, she naturally assumed he was the aggressor. But he possessed family-taught martial skills and was always flanked by two gang enforcers—who could have beaten him so thoroughly?

Wait a moment…

Were those two gang enforcers actually the two burly men now kneeling nearby, holding their ears in shame?

And where was the one who had done the beating?

She looked around and saw only the crowd of students—no sign of anyone else involved.

Song Qingyi called out, “Who was just fighting? Step forward!”

No one moved.

But all the onlookers tacitly took a step back, leaving only two people still standing in place, instantly drawing attention to themselves.

One was a handsome, gentle-looking boy—presumably the new student named Chu Liang. The other was his book-boy, a youth with thick brows and large eyes. The pair were pretending to be mere bystanders, pointing and whispering to each other.

Song Qingyi frowned at Chu Liang. “Was it you two?”

With a sigh, Chu Liang shook his head, not anticipating such unity among Nanshan Academy’s students. He bowed his head in apology. “Teacher Song, I’m sorry! I’m new here today. Yan Xiaohu demanded ten taels of silver from me as protection money. I had no choice but to resist, which was against academy rules. Please punish me as you see fit.”

Song Qingyi was silent for a moment.

She found herself unable to utter the scolding she’d prepared.

“In any case, you mustn’t resort to violence…” She finally muttered softly.

Chu Liang continued, “I originally intended to pay and avoid trouble, but my book-boy was too indignant, which led to a scuffle with the three of them. I will surely discipline him strictly upon our return.”

As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Bei.

Catching the cue, Lin Bei let out a wail: “Young master! His face was so hard, my hand is aching terribly… I think it’s broken, we must see a doctor at once.”

“Is it that serious?” Chu Liang appeared concerned and turned to Song Qingyi. “Teacher Song, I must hurry and take my book-boy for treatment. If we delay…”

“Fine, you may all go get medical attention,” Song Qingyi replied irritably, glancing at him before addressing Yan Xiaohu and his men on the ground. “Come to the academy tomorrow, and I’ll have the dean punish you then.”

With that, Chu Liang led the “injured” Lin Bei away, while the two enforcers helped the half-dead Yan Xiaohu along their own path to seek treatment.

However, the two Black Tiger Gang enforcers had barely gone any distance with Yan Xiaohu when a voice called out behind them, “Stop!”

They turned to see the two little troublemakers from before. Afraid to run, they dropped Yan Xiaohu on the ground and immediately knelt, clutching their ears.

“No need to be so anxious,” Chu Liang said with a smile. “Although today’s events were entirely your fault, we’re not unreasonable people.”

He extended his hand to Lin Bei. “Give me a Sword Coin.”

Puzzled, Lin Bei dug a Sword Coin from his pocket and handed it to Chu Liang.

Chu Liang gave the coin to one of the enforcers. “Take this back to your boss—tell him it’s for his son’s medical expenses. And make sure you deliver it to him personally.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” The two enforcers nodded furiously, then dashed away as if fleeing for their lives.

“Hey! You forgot your young master,” Lin Bei shouted after them.

“Thank you, thank you!” The two hurried back, hoisted Yan Xiaohu again, and took off once more.

Watching their figures recede, Lin Bei asked, “Why did you give them a Sword Coin?”

“To avoid future trouble,” Chu Liang explained. “If you beat the son, the father is bound to come. But once Yan Xiaohu’s father sees the Sword Coin, he probably won’t bother us again.”

“Then why did you use my Sword Coin?” Lin Bei pressed.

“My own money is needed for other things,” Chu Liang replied solemnly.

Lin Bei was speechless.

Night fell.

Chu Liang found Li Jue’s room and saw him sitting there, lost in thought.

From what he’d heard today, Li Jue had once been a diligent, hardworking student, but in recent days seemed to have become utterly despondent.

When Chu Liang entered, Li Jue snapped back to reality and asked, “What is it?”

Chu Liang placed five taels of silver on the table. “This is the money I retrieved from Yan Xiaohu on your behalf. You won’t need to pay it today… nor should you have to in the future.”

Li Jue was silent for a moment before finally saying, “I saw you teach him a lesson today… Thank you.”

“As cultivators, it’s our duty to act justly,” Chu Liang said with a smile.

“Mm…” Li Jue seemed to have thought of something and lapsed into a daze again.

Chu Liang suddenly asked, “Why did you say he wouldn’t live long?”

“Hm?” Li Jue was startled by the question, his eyes flickering evasively, but he didn’t reply.

“Is it because of Situ Yan?” Chu Liang pressed.

“I don’t know…” Li Jue shook his head.

“You do know. Is it because they bullied Situ Yan before?” Chu Liang asked again.

Li Jue grew agitated and looked at Chu Liang. “Stop asking!”

“Your father spent a great deal to bring us from Shushan to protect you. The longer we stay, the more money you spend. The sooner this is resolved, the better for you,” Chu Liang said calmly but firmly. “Tell me, is the vengeful spirit that’s killing people Situ Yan?”

Li Jue furrowed his brow, thinking for a long time before finally raising his head. “It should be her.”

“Then why are you so afraid… is it because you bullied her too?” Chu Liang continued.

“I did not!” Li Jue shook his head firmly. “I never did.”

“Then… who were the ones?” Chu Liang asked.

Li Jue held his head in his hands, clearly reluctant to revisit these memories, but finally answered, “Zhang Cong, Wu Shaoan, Yan Xiaohu, Chen Da… It was them. They bullied Situ Yan all the time…”