Wang Han's stern facade belied his faltering courage.
The surrounding area was utterly silent.
The students felt as if a typhoon was rampaging through their hearts. No one had expected that, faced with so many accusations, Jiang Shu would not retreat but instead advance, lifting a desk and dumping out all of Wang Han's books as well!
This was getting out of hand.
"Don't worry, I won't hit you."
Indifferent to what his classmates were thinking, Jiang Shu spoke to Wang Han lightly, lifting the desk with ease as if it weighed nothing and setting it down steadily. Unless absolutely necessary, he really didn't want to deal with these kids.
That was also one of his initial reasons for taking a leave of absence from school.
To him, Wang Han's tactics were downright childish.
Manipulating public opinion? Playing with people's hearts? In the face of absolute strength, everything is an illusion! Fists are a man's true foundation.
He could disregard Wang Han's petty schemes, but that didn't mean others felt the same.
Glancing at Xu Shuhui, who had become an innocent victim due to her association with him and was now awkwardly put on the spot by an insinuation of a secret crush, Jiang Shu withdrew his gaze. At that moment, Wang Han's voice rose again, now completely lacking its previous aggressive tone.
"Jiang Shu, my desk had important notes for my senior year. You... you threw them all away! You owe me an apology..."
"If they were really that important, if you were truly so studious, you would have already gone to the trash can to retrieve them."
"Go call the teacher. That's all you people are good for."
Not wanting to engage further, Jiang Shu's last remark seemed like a prediction. From the back door, a student had quietly slipped out, and within a few minutes, the sound of hurried footsteps grew closer to the classroom.
Yan Dehou entered with an icy expression. "Jiang Shu, Wang Han, come to my office!"
Seeing Yan Dehou's figure at the doorway, Wang Han's heart instantly steadied, as if he had found a great mountain of support.
My thoughts are clearing up. That's right, I'm at school. How dare Jiang Shu hit someone? How dare he engage in school violence in front of so many classmates? Even though Jiang Shu is a Martial Arts Student, even though lifting the desk suggested that he might have Qi Blood Sensing and could enter a university without an entrance exam, he would still receive a major disciplinary action from the school. As long as the teacher is on my side, Jiang Shu can't do anything to me. He'll even have to apologize to me! Violence can only scare people away. The real master of everything is power! Here at school, teachers and school leaders represent that power!
"Jiang Shu, let's go. We'll go to the office and have Teacher Yan judge this!"
Wang Han drank some hot water to steady his nerves and quickly left the classroom.
What he had placed in Jiang Shu's desk were, in fact, some rather useless books and papers. He could easily do without them.
But if I do nothing at this point, how will my classmates view me? No matter what, I have to get Teacher Yan to support me, get the school on my side, and make Jiang Shu apologize to me!
Wang Han's narrow eyes narrowed into slits as he walked down the corridor, mentally rehearsing his words for the upcoming confrontation in the office.
Meanwhile, Jiang Shu, seemingly unconcerned, stepped out under Xu Shuhui's somewhat worried gaze.
In Martial Arts, one seeks bravery and relentless progress with a clear mind. If Zhao Tai offended me, he'd be met with a thunderous punch! If the Taekwondo coach provoked me, he'd be lifted by the neck! Treating Wang Han like this is already me being lenient, considering we're classmates!
「In the office.」
Yan Dehou sat in his chair, staring at the two students before him, his expression as deep and unreadable as an abyss.
I never imagined such a despicable incident would occur in my own class. Throwing a classmate's books and papers all next to the bin... I can't believe this was done by Jiang Shu, a student I considered quite good!
"Tell me what happened."
"Teacher Yan, all I did was put a few of my books in his desk while Jiang Shu was on leave. I never imagined that upon his return, just because of a few jokes I made, he would lift the desk without a word and throw all my books and papers beside the trash can."
Seeing other teachers in the office, Wang Han downplayed the severity of his own actions, though he couldn't hide the anger on his face.
"Not only that, but after Jiang Shu threw away my books and papers, the look in his eyes when he glanced at me was as if he was going to hit me. Teacher Yan, it's true that the school favors Martial Arts Students, but this favoritism should have its limits. Surely we can't favor Martial Arts Students to the point where they commit school violence and then pretend nothing happened. Jiang Shu lifted the desk, and even if he's accomplished in Martial Arts, even if he has Qi Blood Sensing, he's still a student at our Fifth High School. If a student attacks another student and this matter isn't handled properly, what would people think of our Fifth High School if word gets out? Under such circumstances, only strict disciplinary action can rectify the situation and uphold standards!"
Wang Han stood tall, speaking emphatically as he found his rhythm, pressing his advantage now that he felt he had the upper hand, his tone taking on a questioning edge. He glanced at Jiang Shu, who hadn't uttered a word, feeling as if he had gained the upper hand.
What's the use of Jiang Shu lifting a desk? In the office, would he dare lift the teacher's desk? Besides throwing books and papers, would he dare hit someone?
Yan Dehou's gaze suddenly turned to Jiang Shu.
But he saw only a calm expression on Jiang Shu's face, not a trace of panic or guilt. He didn't at all look like someone who had done something wrong.
Could it be that this incident wasn't as Wang Han described?
Having been a class teacher for over a decade, Yan Dehou naturally wouldn't take just one person's word for it.
Without jumping to conclusions, he spoke to Wang Han in an even tone, "Alright, I understand. Wang Han, you can go back to the classroom first. I'll ask Jiang Shu for the details to see what exactly happened. First, find your books and papers and try to compose yourself; class will start soon."
"Yes, yes, Teacher Yan. Please talk to Jiang Shu properly. I'll go back to the classroom now."
Emphasizing the words "talk to him" a bit more, Wang Han knew when to quit and left, pulling the door behind him. A cold wind blew in, and the atmosphere in the entire office became unbearably oppressive.
The other teachers all busied themselves with organizing their lesson plans, not saying a word. There were always numerous significant conflicts between students at the school. As experienced teachers, they saw and heard new stories every year.
Looking at Jiang Shu's calm demeanor, Yan Dehou sighed and said, "Now that Wang Han is gone, can you tell me the specifics? Jiang Shu, I believe you're not the kind of person who'd resort to violence just because you have some strength.
"If there's a conflict, you can argue or ignore each other. But since you threw his books and papers away, you were in the wrong; that was your mistake.
"Later, you'll come with me back to the classroom and sincerely apologize to Wang Han in front of all the students.
"I'll also take the opportunity to say you've acknowledged your mistake and that this was just an impulsive act."
His voice was earnest and sincere. "I know you're already a Martial Arts Student and can enter a university based on your Martial Arts Realm. Being able to lift a desk means you have indeed made some achievements in Martial Arts. But just 'some' achievements won't do; you need Qi Blood Sensing to be exempt from exams and enter university.
"So, let's minimize this issue and settle it peacefully. Don't escalate it to the school administration level and burden yourself with a disciplinary record. That way, you won't have any problems in the future when you look for a job. Listen to me on this; as your teacher, I definitely wouldn't harm you."
"Teacher Yan, thank you for your concern."
Having lived a previous life, Jiang Shu could clearly see the genuine care Teacher Yan had for him. Despite Wang Han's obfuscating and misleading statements, and without knowing the full truth, Yan Dehou still tried to consider Jiang Shu's interests.
Indeed, any student would be extremely lucky to encounter such a teacher during their school years. If it were an ordinary student facing the current situation, just as Teacher Yan said, by apologizing and keeping one's head down, the matter would be over. But do I, Jiang Shu, need to?
"Teacher Yan, there's surveillance in the classroom. You can look right now to see what exactly happened between Wang Han and me."
"Also, my lifting the desk isn't because I might have Qi Blood Sensing, with a strength of three hundred catties."
"Rather... I've already achieved Qi Blood Transport."
Jiang Shu spoke softly, yet he directly revealed his trump card, like a thunderclap exploding in the dead of night.
As soon as Wang Han finished speaking, I understood his intentions. He wanted to manipulate public opinion, to portray me, a Martial Arts Student, as the aggressor, and to pressure the school into taking his side. A good plan. If I were just an ordinary Martial Arts Student, the matter would be practically settled: disciplinary action taken, apologies made. Even for a typical Martial Artist with Qi Blood Sensing, the school would fear damaging its reputation and would push for both parties to shake hands and make peace. Too bad... I've already reached Qi Blood Transport. Apologies? Make peace? If Wang Han were reasonable, I could naturally be reasonable too. But he's already being unreasonable. I practice Martial Arts, where true power resides within oneself—should I still stoop to reason with him? How utterly ridiculous.
Jiang Shu stood indifferently.
For a moment, all the teachers in the office abruptly looked up, their gazes fixed on the handsome youth.
Qi Blood Transport! Mastery of the Horse Stance! Exemption from entrance exams for top-tier universities!
No one knew the caliber of their school's students better than these teachers.
Last year, during the college entrance exams, out of 1,300 students from Ji City's Fifth High School, only 634 were admitted into undergraduate programs.
Only 27 were admitted into top-tier universities.
This meant the youth before them was already comparable to the most elite students in the school.
And what was even more chilling to contemplate was that in four months of Martial Arts practice, the youth had already advanced through two minor Realms: Qi Blood Sensing and Qi Blood Transport.
Currently, with three months remaining before the college entrance exams, who could guarantee that he wouldn't progress even further?
He was aiming for the most prestigious academies!