Chapter 576 : Murder of a Fellow Disciple (4)
If Ning Xin did not overestimate her own abilities, that meant that Ning Xin had clearly underestimated Jun Wu Xie.
Scheming against her? Ning Xin did not possess the brains for it.
"Five days later, I will make her realize what it really means to be unable to fend for yourself." Jun Wu Xie said as she put the white jade cup down upon the table gently.
If people come to her to seek death, she saw no reason to not oblige.
In the three days since Jun Wu Xie had returned to the Zephyr Academy, the rumours about her within the academy had not ceased. Some of the disciples had even come up to the doors at the little bamboo grove and threw stones within. The stones had all been aimed in the direction towards the room where Jun Wu Xie was staying at.
A few times, when Fan Jin had come to the little bamboo grove, he had caught those disciples who were up to mischief and given them a good telling off before chasing them away.
Even several of the teachers had joined in with barely veiled criticism. From that vein, the critics had all been teachers from the Beast Spirit faculty and it had stemmed from the teacher who had seen Jun Xie only once in class, Qian Yuan He.
It was said that a disciple had gone up to Qian Yuan He and asked his opinion of Jun Xie's character during this period.
Qian Yuan He had replied by criticizing Jun Xie endlessly from head to toe without any mercy, and had even said that it was his biggest disgrace to have ever taught a disciple like that.
Qian Yuan He's reply had made those disciples who were already displeased with Jun Xie to firmly believe the malicious rumours around to be the truth and the hatred and rage had exploded unrestrained.
And this time, when Fan Jin came to the little bamboo grove, he saw another group of disciples blocking the doors, and they were cursing and berating Jun Xie with unspeakable words and accusations, which incessantly pricked at his ears.
"Jun Xie, don't think that by hiding here, you will be able to escape your punishment! You murdered a fellow disciple because of your pettiness! Your incorrigible actions will surely get yourself killed one day! You will not come to a good end!"
"Useless trash like you should just get out of the Zephyr Academy! Having you within its walls is the greatest disgrace!"
"You shameless wretch! Why don't you just die....."
Fan Jin was just nearing the bamboo grove when he heard the curses clearly and his face darkened immediately.
"All of you shut your mouths! Who gave you the right to come here and cause such a disturbance! ? Doesn't any of you know the academy's rules? Anyone that trespasses into the bamboo grove would be immediately expelled! Don't you want to remain in the academy anymore! ?" Fan Jin's expression was immensely dark as he shouted angrily at the group of disciples.
After being yelled at by Fan Jin, the disciples quaked. Their legs had intended to escape but without exactly knowing why, they were struck with a sudden urge and those feet had taken a step forward instead and they stood up to Fan Jin in defiance.
"Senior Fan! We all respect you as you have always been impartial! So why are you still protecting Jun Xie! ? I'm sure you know about the incident the time when he had tried to steal from Li Zi Mu, but you have repeatedly shielded Jun Xie. This time, he had shown no restraint and had even laid his dirty hands on our fellow disciple and killed Li Zi Mu! How could you still continue to protect him! ? Are you really the same Senior Fan that we had held in such great esteem all this while? That scumbag is ruthless, disgraceful and despicable in his thoughts and deeds, and it is all because you have been shielding him all this time that he had gone from bad to worse! Senior Fan, for how long are you going to be further muddled? If you persist to be unable to distinguish between right and wrong, don't blame us if we start to lose our faith in you!" The lead youth told Fan Jin, his expression indignantly righteous.
If this was before, no one would ever doubt Fan Jin's upright and righteous character. But now, after the few rounds of rumours being spread, Fan Jin's position in the hearts of the other disciples had greatly diminished and his words no longer carried as much weight as before.
This was the first time that any of the disciples had rebuked Fan Jin in his face. Fan Jin's eyes widened, and his chest heaved as sudden rage filled him, leaving him greatly vexed.
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Chapter 577 : Murder of a Fellow Disciple (5)
Fan Jin felt that his mind was in a whirl, he really felt like telling these ignorant youths that they had been wrong right from the start. Right from the beginning of all this, Jun Wu Xie had been the real victim all this time!
The fact that Li Zi Mu had gained entry into the Spirit Healer faculty was because of Jun Wu Xie, and when he had attracted Gu Li Sheng's attention, it had been due to Jun Wu Xie as well.
If not for Jun Wu Xie, nobody in the Zephyr Academy would have paid Li Zi Mu any attention!
In reality, Li Zi Mu was the one who had usurped Jun Wu Xie's position and he had still blatantly gone around and used Jun Wu Xie's name to further elevate his own standing, completely shameless, without showing the slightest remorse. But the Zephyr Academy's disciples had still chosen to believe what they heard which infuriated Fan Jin endlessly.
"Leave! Get out of here now!" Fan Jin shouted in rage, his face flushed red. At that moment, even the usually patient Fan Jin was itching to murder.
The youths sulked and stared at Fan Jin with displeasure. They had wanted to continue to argue but when they saw Fan Jin visibly trembling with rage, they were taken aback and they silently gulped before they beat a hasty retreat.
After those youths had departed, another figure appeared out from the side, stepping out from behind the tall bamboo trees. The figure's shoulders were slumped and his face desolate.
"Elder Young Master....." Ah Jing stuttered timidly as he looked at Fan Jin, who was trembling with rage.
"Ah Jing?" Fan Jin said, his face in a deep frown. Ever since Fan Zhuo had driven Ah Jing away from here, he had not seen Ah Jing once.
Ah Jing was looking rather haggard and the eyes that were looking at Fan Jin were filled with grief.
"Elder Young Master..... Why do you make yourself suffer like this?"
"Ah Jing, what are you trying to say?" Fan Jin could feel a headache coming on.
Ah Jing took a deep breath and raised his head to look at Fan Jin.
"Elder Young Master, everyone can see that Jun Xie harbours evil intentions. Why are you still protecting him? He has already murdered Li Zi Mu! A despicable cad like that must be executed instead! You must not allow him to remain at the bamboo grove any longer. If he harms the Little Young Master, what are we then to do....."
"That's enough!" Fan Jin shouted loudly, interrupting Ah Jing before he could finish his sentence.
"Ah Jing, I will take it that you are just being loyal to Little Zhuo this time and not pursue the matter further. But if I hear anything like this from you again, I will not let you off so easily!" Fan Jin had really lost his temper this time. [What was wrong with everyone in the Zephyr Academy? Why would they pass a death sentence upon Jun Wu Xie based purely on unverified rumours?]
Among all of them, how many had actually interacted with Jun Wu Xie?
Less than a handful of them had even spoken with Jun Wu Xie personally but they had all been ready to brand her a vicious scourge and could not wait to rid themselves of her!
"Elder Young Master, please do not persist in being blinded....." Ah Jing persisted.
Fan Jin ran out of patience to continue listening to Ah Jing's nonsense. He grabbed Ah Jing by the back of his collar and threw him out of the bamboo grove.
Ah Jing landed hard on the ground and he stared blankly as he sat there. Disciples from all directions cast curious glances at Ah Jing as they passed.
As he stared at Fan Jin's disappearing back as he walked into the bamboo grove, Ah Jing's teary voice rang out loudly all of a sudden:
"Elder Young Master! The Little Young Master really reveres you as his elder brother! Why are you trying to harm him! ? Why did you bring Jun Xie, who is completely devoid of morals, to be so close to the Little Young Master! ? Elder Young Master! Is this how you are repaying the trust the Little Young Master places in you! ? And repaying the esteemed Headmaster for bringing you up till now! ?"
Ah Jing lost his mind. He sat upon the hard ground crying and wailing, and the words that came out from his mouth made all the passing disciples' eyes widen in shock.
That was Ah Jing! The trusted aide that had served Fan Zhuo closely ever since he was a little boy!
And the words that were coming out from Ah Jing's mouth today had been a shocking revelation that had struck like a lightning bolt onto everyone within the Zephyr Academy.
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Chapter 578 : Prep for Slap (1)
The admonishment delivered in a voice filled with such anguish drove an undeniable thought into the minds of the masses that churned in an endless spiral.
Everyone knew that only Fan Zhuo was Fan Qi's biological son, while Fan Jin, although possessing great skills and had an upright character, was after all still just adopted and was not of the same blood!
That difference in their relations made a malicious thought begin to worm into the minds of quite a number of the other disciples.
Jun Xie's name had been despised and spat upon endlessly but Fan Jin had still persisted in defending him and had even brought him to stay within the bamboo grove that had been reserved for Fan Zhuo's recuperation. Could there be..... an unspeakable truth behind the reason for Fan Jin's actions?
In moments, that line of thought blossomed within the minds of the disciples of the Zephyr Academy and Fan Jin's stellar reputation took a beating like never before.
All of it was unknown to Fan Jin. He had strode into the bamboo grove angrily but stopped in his tracks in the yard. He was worried that his furious expression might alarm Jun Wu Xie and Fan Zhuo and he stood there a long while before he decided to go in.
In the room, he found Fan Zhuo alone.
"Big Brother, you're here." Fan Zhuo greeted his brother jovially.
Fan Jin nodded and after making sure his emotions were composed, he asked: "Where is Little Xie?"
"Out." Fan Zhuo was carrying Lord Meh Meh in his arms and was smiling contentedly as he replied, his fingers running gently over Lord Meh Meh's soft little belly.
Lord Meh Meh sighed softly, as if reluctantly accepting Fan Zhuo's caress.
Fan Jin paused a moment.
"Out? When did she go out?" At a time like this, if she were to meet the disciples of the Zephyr Academy, things might turn out badly.
"From quite a while ago. Big Brother, don't worry. Sit down and have some tea to rest first." Fan Zhuo said, pushing a cup of tea before Fan Jin.
Fan Jin gritted his teeth. Since he did not know where Jun Wu Xie had gone to, he could only sit down to wait.
As Fan Jin was still feeling endlessly antsy at the bamboo grove, Jun Wu Xie was already grandly seated in Gu Li Sheng's office.
Jun Wu Xie carried the little black cat in her arms, her expression calm and composed as she looked at the smiling Gu Li Sheng.
"Jun Xie, what would be the reason for your visit today?" Gu Li Sheng was smiling widely as he looked at Jun Xie. Ever since Jun Wu Xie had shown her full grasp of the concepts involved in Spirit Healing, Gu Li Sheng found that he could never portray his dignified air of a teacher before the petite sized youth anymore.
Jun Wu Xie replied in an unhurried tone: "The improvements needed for the Spirit Healing Technique have been completed."
Gu Li Sheng's eyes widened, staring in pure disbelief at Jun Xie.
[How long has it only been? And Jun Xie had already gotten it all done.....]
Gu Li Sheng had thought that the process would have needed a long time and had never expected that Jun Xie would be able to complete it so quickly. In such a short time, and Jun Xie had finished it! ?
[Was this little lad even human?]
"Completed? Really?" Gu Li Sheng gulped loudly.
Jun Wu Xie nodded slightly.
Gu Li Sheng was so excited that his hand on the table started shaking.
"I'm now ready to return to the Spirit Healing Faculty." Jun Wu Xie added.
"Yes! Immediately! Whenever you want to!" Gu Li Sheng agreed without a moment's hesitation. When he had initially released Jun Xie from the Spirit Healer faculty, it was because he had been worried that people with ulterior motives would impede the little lad and make attempts to disrupt the progress on the further development of the Spirit Healing Technique. But now that the Spirit Healer Technique is fully accomplished, Gu Li Sheng no longer had any misgivings.
He would have loved nothing more than to pin the Spirit Healer faculty's badge on Jun Xie right at that moment. Immediately. In that instant.
"Not like this." Jun Wu Xie raised her head slowly.
This time was nearing. Time to commence on her retaliation.
"What do you mean?" Gu Li Sheng suppressed the absolute joy in his heart and asked, not understanding what Jun Xie meant.
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Chapter 579 : Prep for Slap (2)
Jun Wu Xie replied: "After I left the Spirit Healer faculty, I was made to suffer countless curses and was widely discriminated against as I was misunderstood. So, if I am to return, I must be fully cleared of all that to have me come back properly and legitimately."
Gu Li Sheng paused and the smile on his face faded. An expression of guilt and shame came over his face.
He was aware of what Jun Xie had been put through in the Zephyr Academy all this time. He had thought of asking Jun Xie to come back earlier, but as long as the Spirit Healing Technique was not completed, exposing Jun Xie's identity prematurely would only bring her more unnecessary trouble.
After all, the Spirit Healing Technique itself was greatly revered in the minds of the disciples and held in the highest of esteem. If he had suddenly announced that Jun Xie would be able to improve and further develop the Spirit Healing Technique, no matter whether he said it himself or not, it would not be so easily believed. It might not have reduced the curses and suspicions thrown at Jun Xie but even attract the unwanted attention of people who held interest in possessing the technique. These people would flock to Jun Xie in an endless line, attempting to win him over.
Worse, if anyone who held malicious intentions got to him, the results would be something he did not even want to think about.
The lure of the Spirit Healing Technique was really too great to the people and they could not afford to be careless.
With all the misgivings, and the fact that Jun Xie had not shown any signs that he intended to return to the Spirit Healer faculty, Gu Li Sheng had not taken any action.
But swirling within the academy, the accusations and criticisms against Jun Xie greatly pricked at him.
"Rest assured." Gu Li Sheng drew in a deep breath and stood up. "I will make sure you return back to the Spirit Healer faculty in grandeur. I will make sure that all the slander and defamations made against you will be completely erased. Just leave it to me. I will make sure that you will be satisfied."
Jun Wu Xie nodded to agree. Gu Li Sheng's words was exactly what she wanted to hear.
When Jun Wu Xie retaliates, she wasn't just seeking to salvage and rectify her name and reputation.
What she seeked was to give the meddling fools big slaps, right before the eyes of all the disciples of the Zephyr Academy!
That would be more satisfying!
"Tomorrow. I will arranged it all tomorrow. Just rest assure and wait for it." Gu Li Sheng promised sternly.
Jun Wu Xie lowered her head in thought.
[Tomorrow?]
According to what Fan Jin said, the Rui Lin Army would arrive at the Zephyr Academy the day after. Tomorrow would be a good time for her to string up all her plans.
A good show calls for consecutive stages for it to be varied and brilliantly presented, didn't it?
"Alright." Jun Wu Xie nodded again. Before she got up to leave, she put a scroll that she had prepared beforehand on Gu Li Sheng's table and left without turning her head back a single time.
Gu Li Sheng picked up the scroll and with just one look, his eyes widened and he suddenly could not breathe.
Every single beautiful and gracefully written character burned into his mind and his heartbeat quickened.
It was a method that would transform the Spirit Healing Technique and it was written in such a way that allowed him to fully comprehend its profound philosophy immediately!
"Jun Xie, you surprise me endlessly. Damn..... This little lad, is just..... absolutely amazing!" He perused the entire scroll in one sitting and Gu Li Sheng found himself sweating profusely. He laid back in his chair and tilted his head back, his mouth curled up in a wide smile filled with joy and gratitude.
[He has stumbled across a priceless one!]
After Jun Wu Xie left Gu Li Sheng's office, she walked straight out of the Spirit Healer faculty building. The few Spirit Healer faculty disciples saw Jun Xie appear and their eyes shot daggers at him, wishing so much that their stares would bore a few holes through his body.
Li Zi Mu had not been popular in the Spirit Healer faculty and it was due to Gu Li Sheng's obvious and blatant favouritism shown to him which had earned Li Zi Mu the jealousy and hatred from the other disciples in the Spirit Healer faculty. But that hatred and jealousy was still not enough to cause them to be completely unmoved by Li Zi Mu's death when faced with an external enemy who dared to cut down one of their own, and they would never easily forgive.
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Chapter 580 : Prep for Slap (3)
Jun Wu Xie's expression was cold as she walked out from under the many gazes so filled with hatred and had not expected to bump in a "old familiar face" just as her front foot had stepped out of the Spirit Healer faculty.
"Little Xie! What a coincidence! I didn't think I'll see you here." Ning Xin had been patiently waiting before the gates of the Spirit Healer faculty for a long while. When she spotted Jun Xie, she put on her best smile and approached the lad. The smile was as sweet as the spring breeze and so gentle that no one would ever feel threatened by such an amicable display of friendship. Compared to the cold stares filled with hidden daggers behind them that she had been getting from everyone else these days, Ning Xin's demeanor inadvertently stood out, one of its own kind.
Jun Wu Xie's steps stopped as she looked at Ning Xin, whose smile almost reached her ears.
Ning Xin's face might be locked in a wide friendly smile, but her heart was chill, filled with disdain.
The moment that Jun Xie had stepped into the Spirit Healer faculty, Yin Yan had immediately run to Ning Xin to bring her the news, and Ning Xin had immediately hurried over and waited beside the gates.
After having been in the Zephyr Academy for so long, with the exception of the first day after he was admitted, Jun Xie had never shown his face at the Spirit Healer faculty anymore. But when she found out that Jun Xie had suddenly gone to the Spirit Healer faculty today, it had made Ning Xin secretly gladdened.
[The crime of murdering a fellow disciple was in no way petty and the Headmaster had been pressured from many sides to drive Jun Xie out of the Zephyr Academy. The little lad who had pretended to be calm about it all this while must be starting to panic.]
Having stirred up such a huge uproar, even the Fan Brothers would not be able to shield Jun Xie completely.
When she became aware that Jun Xie had gone to the Spirit Healer faculty bright and early in the morning, Ning Xin was mightily pleased.
Seeing the cold expression on Jun Xie's face, Ning Xin was nevertheless unaffected and continued to say smiling: "Little Xie, I've heard about all that is being said in the academy..... The matter..... has grown to become a little too big. I saw Big Brother Fan Jin going to Uncle Headmaster's office several times to plead for you, but....."
Ning Xin put on an expression of helplessness and sighed heavily.
"I don't think coming to Uncle Gu will help. Uncle Gu does not bother himself with such matters. To make matters worse, Li Zu Mu was a favoured disciple of Uncle Gu's, and Li Zi Mu's sudden death had greatly angered Uncle Gu. Uncle Gu has gotten people to investigate the matter thoroughly and it has caused these rumours to surface. And I think Uncle Gu must still be very angry about it."
Although Ning Xin only knew that Jun Xie had gone to see Gu Li Sheng, but she thought that was all she needed to know.
She knew that Gu Li Sheng had a gentle personality but was always fiercely protective of the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty. Yin Yan had previously often told her of how much Gu Li Sheng had always shown Li Zi Mu extraordinary care and concern. And now that Li Zi Mu had died, and the matter was inexorably linked to Jun Xie, it would be inconceivable that Gu Li Sheng would still be civil and extend his courtesy to Jun Xie, that would be unbelievable.
Confident that Jun Xie would not have received a single kind word from his meeting with Gu Li Sheng, Ning Xin's heart was suddenly feeling a lot lighter.
However, the expression on Jun Wu Xie's face remained stone cold, and her eyes were expressionless with calm as she looked at the pretentious Ning Xin.
Lying upon Jun Wu Xie's shoulders, the little black cat snorted in contempt.
[Is this little girl going by the name of Ning Xin, a complete idiot? She's so hopelessly dumb that she doesn't know how horrible a fate she will soon meet the day after.]
[Still prattling on the nonsense between Gu Li Sheng and his especially favoured disciple, Li Zi Mu, and the non existent investigation he ordered because of his rage.]
[All pure nonsense!]
[It had been with its Mistress all this while and it had witnessed every single thing.]
[Gu Li Sheng had not shown a single sliver of grief or sadness. From the beginning to the end, he had not even mentioned Li Zi Mu's name a single time!]
[All these upheaval must have been the work of this dumb little girl!]
[With that complete lack of a brain, she is pitting herself against its Mistress?]
[What a "meownificant" joke!]
"Meow~"
[Mistress, let's not waste our breath on such dumb dumbs, or her low intelligence might become contagious.]