Chapter 102: On Whether Rumors Can Be Trusted or Not

“What are you intending to do?” Wang Xu’s tone was stern and unyielding.

Leading the group was a squad leader named Sun Zhizui.

He was a recently promoted squad leader handpicked by Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong.

Originally under Qin Ran’s command, Sun Zhizui had been heavily suppressed for his rebellious nature.

Fang Qingyun, however, admired such individuals. He personally met with Sun Zhizui, overpowering him single-handedly to the brink of despair, then offered him a squad leader position along with generous resources. Thus, he won him over.

Those who are rebellious often have great confidence in themselves.

Of course, there are also fools who fit that description.

Such people rarely appear at the Northwest Military Academy.

Sun Zhizui despised Qin Ran, so Qin Ran sidelined him, giving him a position in the disciplinary squad but withholding resources, effectively putting him aside.

Despite the lack of resources, Sun Zhizui still became a seventh-rank martial artist, which speaks volumes about his talent.

For someone like him, Fang Qingyun believed that as long as he possessed the power to defeat Sun Zhizui, the latter would remain obedient.

If not obedient...

Fang Qingyun paused, realizing that few under his command were truly obedient anyway.

At this moment, Sun Zhizui glared coldly at Wang Xu and said fiercely, “Inspector, apologies, but rumors are swirling outside that during Chairman Fang Qingyun’s recent mission, someone betrayed him, leaking intelligence and causing him serious injury.”

An ominous feeling rose in Wang Xu’s heart immediately. He snapped, “What does this have to do with me?”

“The rumors say it all!” Sun Zhizui replied coldly. “They claim that Inspector Wang Xu betrayed Chairman Fang Qingyun in his bid for the chairmanship.”

“Nonsense!” Wang Xu was furious.

Were there really such rumors?

Why hadn’t he heard of them?

Could it be that you’re fabricating this?

“Sun Zhizui!” Wang Xu shouted, “You dare surround my office based on a mere rumor? You’re reckless!”

Sun Zhizui retorted coldly, “So, Inspector, you imply that the rumor is not credible?”

Wang Xu was dumbfounded.

Damn it!

Is this Fang Qingyun’s strategy to counter the rumors?

Using such a method to dispel gossip?

Are you crazy?

Seeing the cold stares from the disciplinary squad members, Wang Xu said icily, “Fine, rumors are not credible; we need solid evidence!”

Sun Zhizui pressed on, “Then, the spreaders of these rumors are guilty of defamation, correct?”

“...Yes!”

“Please, Inspector, sign here!”

Sun Zhizui waved his hand, and a disciplinary officer stepped forward, handing Wang Xu an authorization document.

Wang Xu’s brow twitched violently.

This was an order.

An order to arrest those spreading the rumors.

Once signed, Sun Zhizui and his team would act under Wang Xu’s authority to apprehend anyone spreading rumors on campus.

Given their nature, who knew what else they might do with such power?

Without a doubt, Wang Xu’s reputation would be ruined instantly.

Forget the chairmanship; he’d find it impossible to move about the school thereafter!

No way would he sign!

Absolutely not!

Wang Xu fixed a cold glare on Sun Zhizui and said harshly, “That name—I will never authorize it.”

Sun Zhizui replied coldly, “Then I can only follow Chairman Fang Qingyun’s orders. Inspector, you’d better cooperate; it’ll make our operation easier. Otherwise...”

Wang Xu’s heart skipped a beat. “His order is...?”

“To arrest all rumor spreaders, including Inspector Wang Xu.”

“How dare you!”

Wang Xu’s face turned ashen as he stared at Sun Zhizui, but out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a figure standing quietly in the shadows, like a demonic god.

Zhao Junhong.

Wang Xu’s heart sank completely.

He had come too, staring at him expressionlessly.

Recalling the recent battle where Zhao Junhong had unleashed his fury, sending him straight to the infirmary.

If not for the miraculous skills of the school doctor, he’d still be lying there.

His body trembled.

Sun Zhizui said coldly, “Why wouldn’t I dare? Everyone says you leaked intelligence. I’m just asking you to return for investigation. What’s wrong with that?”

Wang Xu gritted his teeth, “I didn’t do it!”

“No, you did! Because no one can prove you didn’t, you must have.”

Sun Zhizui laughed, a wild, unrestrained, joyous laugh.

When Qin Ran suppressed him before, he was publicly accused of falsehoods.

Now, he could use the same tactics.

First came Inspector Wang Xu, then Qin Ran—none would escape.

Wang Xu lived up to Chairman Wang Xuan’s assessment of him: ambitious, yet cowardly.

Under Zhao Junhong’s cold gaze, he signed the arrest warrant.

Hence, chaos engulfed the entire school.

The disciplinary squad was the elite of the Northwest Military Academy. Apart from the fourth-year students already interning in various military units, they were virtually invincible.

Moreover, those spreading rumors were a small minority.

Most students at the academy were rational; no matter how wild the rumors, if they hadn’t seen it with their own eyes, they refused to believe it.

Besides, they doubted that the new chairman’s first mission would result in major casualties without any official response.

Given the temperament of the Serpent King’s faction, if Fang Qingyun were truly a traitor, the higher-ups would have already removed him as acting chairman.

Furthermore, these rumors seemed strangely orchestrated, as if someone was deliberately steering them.

Thus, the rumor mongers were no match for the disciplinary squad; arrests proceeded smoothly.

Many students even came forward with information.

And Zhao Junhong personally led the team.

No matter who was involved, they were arrested!

Within a short time, over a dozen students were detained in the “black room.”

Suddenly, the entire school fell silent.

The teachers couldn’t stand it any longer and stormed to confront Zhao Junhong, fuming.

“Enough nonsense!” Zhao Junhong brandished Murong’s bloodstained greatsword, standing his ground with cold disdain. “This is a matter among students. What business is it of yours? The Serpent King himself said when he founded the school that teachers only teach and guide students. Student management is the student council’s responsibility. What, do you intend to defy the Serpent King’s orders?”

One teacher coldly responded, “Don’t forget that the Serpent King also said teachers may intervene if the school descends into chaos.”

“Is it chaotic now?” Zhao Junhong asked indifferently. “I feel that after apprehending a few troublemakers, the school has become more stable.”

“Cut the crap!” the teacher snapped impatiently. “As a student, what right do you have to arrest other students? Release them immediately!”

Another teacher sneered, “Whether it’s chaotic or not isn’t up to you to decide—it’s us!”

“What if I don’t release them?” Zhao Junhong fixed a cold stare on the teachers.

“Heh!” one teacher laughed, releasing a powerful aura that instantly immobilized many disciplinary squad members.

“Do you think you have the right to say no?” he sneered.

To be a teacher at a martial arts school, one had to possess strength equivalent to a high-ranking general.

Such power would be enough to command a division in the military.

“You dare challenge the student council?” Zhao Junhong’s voice was icy.

“Heh!” the teacher scoffed, “Kid, let me tell you: no matter who you are, if your strength isn’t enough, you’d better tail between your legs, got it?”

“Not enough strength?” Zhao Junhong repeated mockingly. “Then I’ll make up for it with firepower!”

“Attack!”

Suddenly!

Zhao Junhong shouted.

When the teachers had arrived, the disciplinary squad had stood behind Zhao Junhong, confronting them.

Now, at his command, they sprang into action.

They produced hand grenades from their bodies and hurled them at the teachers with lightning speed.

“Are you insane?” The teachers were stunned for a moment before screaming and fleeing.

Psionic grenades!

Were those really psionic grenades?

Using psionic grenades against teachers inside the school!?

Madmen!

Absolutely insane!

The teachers fled as if possessed.

At a moment like this, there was no room for composure or dignity.

They were all doomed!

Even high-ranking generals would run from psionic grenades.

Even if they could deflect third-rank psionic bullets with sword strikes, facing psionic grenades—even second-rank ones—they’d flee.

These were all first-rank psionic grenades.

High-ranking generals could use psionic shields to protect themselves, but the sheer number—more than twenty!—was overwhelming.

Who could withstand that?

Only a godly warrior.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

Explosions thundered.

Black smoke billowed into the sky, forming a towering pillar.

Students left on campus watched in stunned silence.

What on earth was happening?

Explosions inside the school? And that smoke looked oddly familiar, as if...

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Nearly every student shook their heads.

Grenades?

One or two, maybe, they could believe.

Perhaps an experiment or something else.

But judging by the volume of smoke, at least dozens!

Who dared cause such a commotion inside the school?

Fang Qingyun, who was eating fruit, trembled slightly and dropped his apple.

He stared blankly at the smoke.

“What’s going on?” Gu Xi asked in astonishment. “What is that? It looks like the effect of psionic grenades, but that’s impossible. Who would dare cause such chaos inside the school?”

Fang Qingyun was silent for a moment before quietly replying, “Someone dares.”

“You don’t really think those are psionic grenades, do you?” Gu Xi smiled.

But seeing Fang Qingyun’s serious expression, her face stiffened as she murmured, “No way, no way...”

“It probably is true.” Fang Qingyun rubbed his temples.

Zhao Junhong, you’re even more brutal than I am!

I’d at most just shout at the teachers to leave; you actually attacked them.

If the Serpent King finds out about this, he’ll surely be furious.

Damn it, how do you plan to handle the aftermath?

“Whew!” Fang Qingyun took a deep breath and tried to move his body.

He couldn’t stand it any longer.

He needed to strengthen himself!

Improving his constitution would surely enhance his recovery.

“What are you doing?” Gu Xi couldn’t help but exclaim, “You shouldn’t be moving now.”

Fang Qingyun ignored her and continued struggling to move.

...

The smoke and dust gradually dispersed.

Zhao Junhong, holding his long sword, strode forward.

There was no sign of the teachers.

They were all over a hundred meters away, glaring at Zhao Junhong with clenched teeth.

“Hmph!” Zhao Junhong snorted coldly. “Stop wasting time. If you want to interfere in student affairs, I can’t beat you, but I’m crazy and reckless enough. Forget today’s incident if you know what’s good for you. If this reaches the Serpent King, I won’t be able to handle it, and neither will you.”

His words made the teachers pale.

He sneered, “Don’t push me. If I’m truly cornered, I guarantee we’ll all be finished together!”

“Hmph!”

Zhao Junhong snorted again, leading the disciplinary squad away with swagger.

The teachers watched his retreating figure with murderous intent but dared not approach.

Zhao Junhong’s madness had genuinely terrified them.

After all, according to the Serpent King’s rules, teachers interfering in student matters was already breaking protocol.

Soon, the cause of the explosion spread throughout the school.

Reason: the student council was training the disciplinary squad.

Only a child would believe that.

Zhao Junhong hadn’t ordered anyone to keep it secret, so it quickly became common knowledge.

Many looked at Zhao Junhong and the teachers with mixed feelings.

Fear, curiosity, and admiration toward Zhao Junhong.

Contempt toward the teachers.

To be teachers and high-ranking generals, yet be scared off by students?

Ridiculous!

Shameful!

Although Zhao Junhong’s actions were indeed reckless, the teachers couldn’t afford to suffer continuous defeats at the hands of students.

This was not the first time!

At the frontline, the Serpent King looked at a report in his hand and tossed it to Zhu Yao beside him.

“These two kids...”

Zhu Yao read it and was speechless. “Lawless! Truly lawless!”

“The school is stable now!” the Serpent King said.

“Uh!” Zhu Yao was stunned. Did the Serpent King mean to leave it at that? After all this commotion?

Do you favor those two kids that much?

Jealousy rose in Zhu Yao’s heart.

He had struggled from the bottom up, not knowing how much effort it took to get here.

“I founded the Northwest Military Academy to cultivate talent, but what kind of talent?” The Serpent King muttered, “There are many martial universities and few military academies, yet they supply the military with many talents. What kind of prodigies can’t be found in these schools?”

Zhu Yao’s mind involuntarily flashed a word:

Madmen.

At the same time, Fang Qingyun and Zhao Junhong’s faces appeared before him.

“These two youngsters are indeed arrogant and reckless, but somehow they succeed.”

A terrifying smile spread across the Serpent King’s cold face.

“Fang Qingyun wiped out the Fire Red Mountain bandits. Even after I gave them a seventh-rank bomb, he survived.”

Zhu Yao shuddered.

That seventh-rank bomb nearly drove the military mad.

Such a strategic weapon ending up in bandits’ hands was a disgrace.

Hence, the military insisted the bomb came from the demon or monster races, with no relation to humanity.

Who would suspect the Serpent King himself?

Fang Qingyun was a valued asset, nearly crushed during the mission.

Who would suspect the Serpent King?

The Serpent King continued, “Zhao Junhong stabilized the school when Fang Qingyun was gravely injured. Even when I deployed several spies, they couldn’t topple them, and the plan stalled.”

Alright, it’s still you.

Zhu Yao was overwhelmed.

Being favored by you isn’t always a blessing.

If these two newly appointed vice chairmen of the student council had been overthrown now, they’d never survive in the Northwest Military Academy.

And after that?

You still have more plans?

Not satisfied until they’re dead?

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