Genius Doctor: Black Belly Miss

Chapter 581 - 600

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Chapter 581:- Prep for Slap (4)

The little black cat grumbled endlessly impatiently.

Jun Wu Xie raised up a hand and patted the little black cat on its rear before raising her eyes to look at Ning Xin whose expression was looking deeply concerned.

"What's true and what's false, we will know for sure tomorrow. You don't have to concern yourself with it." After saying those words, Jun Wu Xie immediately resumed her steps to leave.

Just as the black cat had said, if she continued the conversation with Ning Xin any further, it would only be a further affront to her intelligence!

Ning Xin stared flabbergasted at the departing figure of Jun Xie, never expecting that Jun Xie would still be so cold and aloof under the current circumstances! She was suddenly left feeling highly humiliated and badly snubbed!

"Jun Xie! You dare snub me so! ? You just wait! One fine day, I will have you come crawling, pleading for me to save you!" Ning Xin gritted her teeth as she stared furiously at the back of the disappearing Jun Wu Xie, wishing fervently that she was able to shred that back to pieces.

"Yin Yan!" Ning Xin gave out a loud shout.

Yin Yan who had been hidden in the shadows appeared immediately.

"Senior Ning."

"Relay my orders to all of them! I want the matter about Jun Xie murdering Li Zi Mu to be fully blown up! Within three days, I want to hear of the notice from Fan Qi that Jun Xie has been expelled!"

Yin Yan shivered, and asked hesitatingly: "Senior Ning, wouldn't that be a little too much..... Those highly skilled purple spirits....."

Ning Xin replied with a cold laugh and said: "What are you afraid of? I am not responsible for all these. Didn't I say it earlier? All this started because Gu Li Sheng ordered for an investigation into the matter. I do not believe that anyone in this world would go against Gu Li Sheng, the founder of Spirit Healing, to protect a little brat."

Yin Yan gulped. He was shocked that Ning Xin had even included Gu Li Sheng's name into her plot.

That might be a little too reckless for his taste.

.....

By the time Jun Wu Xie got back to the bamboo grove, Fan Jin was acting like he had hot coals in his pants. He could not sit still and paced endlessly within the little yard.

When he spotted Jun Wu Xie, he shot like an arrow over to her and proceeded to look at Jun Wu Xie from head to toe. And only after he was sure that she was not hurt in any way that he let out a big sigh of relief.

"Where did you go?" Fan Jin asked worriedly.

"To see Gu Li Sheng." Jun Wu Xie glanced at Fan Jin and saw how anxious he was, knowing that he was just concerned about her safety.

Fan Jin's personality wasn't too bad, just that he was a little..... too obvious.

If he had possessed just half of Fan Zhuo's intelligence, Jun Wu Xie would not feel so burdened when communicating with him.

Never ever put a person who was socially impaired together with another person with a one tracked mind to devise any schemes. They would both collapse from the effort before they come up with anything.

"Uncle Gu?" As expected, Fan Jin had not caught on to Jun Wu Xie's line of thought and was still befuddled.

Standing before the bamboo dwelling, Fan Zhuo looked on helplessly at his not exactly bright brother, and could do nothing but only shake his head in resignation.

"When are you making your move?" Fan Zhuo asked without needing Jun Xie to explain, and knew the purpose of his visit to Gu Li Sheng.

"Tomorrow." Just as she thought. It was so much easier to talk to more intelligent people.

"That fast?" Fan Zhuo asked, his eyebrow raised.

"The Rui Lin Army will be arriving the day after tomorrow." At the mention of the Rui Lin Army, Jun Wu Xie's chilly eyes softened a little and she lowered her eyes. The air and demeanor about her seemed to feel less unapproachable as well.

"Rui Lin Army? What is happening here? I had heard you and my brother mention them before, but what does the actions you are going to take have got to do with the Rui Lin Army?" Having noticed the obvious change that had come over Jun Wu Xie, Fan Zhuo was feeling rather intrigued.

Just what powers did the Rui Lin Army possess, that the mere mention of them had been able to change the air around Jun Xie and his demeanor in a moment.

Hearing the name of the Rui Lin Army, Fan Jin's expression froze.

During the period of the Spirit Hunt, Fan Zhuo had remained within the little bamboo grove and did not know a thing about what had happened in the Battle Spirits Forest.

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Chapter 582:- Slight Longing

When they returned, Fan Jin had not wanted all those dirty dealings to pollute his little brother's ears and had not mentioned a word about it.

In regards to Jun Wu Xie's true identity, besides Qiao Chu and his gang, Fan Jin was the only other person who knew, throughout the whole Zephyr Academy.

The Young Miss of the most ferocious strike force! The daughter of the Lin Palace's Jun Family!

About the incident that Ning Xin had attempted to get the men from the Rui Lin Army killed in the Battle Spirits Forest, Fan Zhuo did not have the slightest clue.

"It's linked." Jun Wu Xie said as she nodded slightly.

Fan Zhuo firmly believed, that the three words "Rui Lin Army", held extraordinary meaning for Jun Xie.

"Rui Lin Army..... I have heard of them before. Is it an army from the Qi Kingdom?" Fan Zhuo was suddenly very curious about the Rui Lin Army.

"Yes..... Yes....." Fan Jin replied in a stutter, looking nervously at Fan Zhuo. He did not really want Fan Zhuo to become involved in such matters. He wanted Fan Zhuo to be able to recuperate in peace and get well. He should not hear about all these insidious ploys and crafty schemes and he did not need to know about them.

It was only recently that Fan Zhuo's health had shown some improvements and Fan Jin did not want anything untoward to happen.

Being the intelligent people that they were, when Jun Wu Xie and Fan Zhuo saw Fan Jin's uncomfortable expression, the two of them immediately ceased, and did not mention another word about the Rui Lin Army.

It was only after Fan Jin left, that the gentleness in Fan Zhuo's smile disappeared, and was quickly replaced by an inquisitive one.

"Shouldn't you be telling me what actually happened in the Battle Spirits Forest already? The Rui Lin Army must have some links to you right?" Fan Zhuo asked Jun Xie, his curiosity piqued.

Jun Wu Xie gazed at Fan Zhuo, and she started to frown.

There wasn't too much to tell, but it wasn't that little either, as the explanation would implicate many other things. If she was to explain it.....

Jun Wu Xie felt that it might require quite a bit of effort.

"Another day. Go ask Qiao Chu about it." Jun Wu Xie nonchalantly threw the burden of giving such a long string of explanations to Qiao Chu. That trait of Jun Wu Xie, made Fan Zhuo feel like crying at that moment.

"You must really..... loathe to speak a lot." After having spent such a long time with Jun Xie, Fan Zhuo had already gotten a good grasp of Jun Xie's personality. Instead of saying that he is cold and arrogant, it was more like he lacked the skills in socialising with others.

In their daily chats and usual interactions, Jun Xie would mostly give a reply. But when it called for lengthy rant to explain, she would either zip up and remain silent, or throw the task to someone else.

Jun Wu Xie wrinkled her nose and got up to leave.

She did not know why, but an image of an demonically wild, but perfectly handsome face suddenly appeared in her mind.

That one person who would always appear unpredictably and disappear just as suddenly, who had always somehow forced her to open her mouth to speak, had not been seen for quite a long while.

In the beginning, Jun Wu Xie spoke even less than she did now, but that person had incorrigibly and adamantly continued to harass her, making her slowly learn to become aware of emotions like displeasure, and to give vent to them. That was how she gradually began to speak a little more, bit by bit.

After the last parting in the Phoenix Academy, she had not seen him for rather long.

So many things had happened in the Zephyr Academy and she had not thought of that person much.

But suddenly out of the blue, an image of that person's face had surfaced in her mind.

A sudden urge gripped at her heart which made her say:

"Ye Sha."

A shadow streaked in through the window, falling into a kneeling position neatly before Jun Wu Xie.

"Your subordinate awaits the Missy's orders."

Jun Wu Xie did not raise her head, but her eyes remained staring at her own palm. With a flick of her fingers, silver needles suddenly appeared in her hands.

Back at the Lin Palace, she had used these very needles to stab into that person's death acupoint. That time, the person's warm blood had flowed down the length of the needles and collected in her palm. That had been so long ago..... She could not explain it, but suddenly, it seemed as though she could still feel the same warmth on the silver needles that she had felt then.

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Chapter 583:- Slapping the Mob (1)

"My elder brother..... where is he at the moment?" Jun Wu Xie asked in a voice so soft as to be almost inaudible.

"Your humble subordinate does not know." Ye Sha replied, his voice low and solemn.

Jun Wu Xie bit on her lip and said: "You're dismissed."

Ye Sha stood up, and when he reached the doors, his steps stopped.

"Although your subordinate does not know where Master Wu Yao is, but if your subordinate is correct, he might not be in the Lower Realm at the moment. Things that can heal one's soul, can only be found in the Middle Realm."

Jun Wu Xie raised her head suddenly.

"My brother is from the Middle Realm?"

She had always felt that Jun Wu Yao was exceptionally mysterious. His powers were so strong as to be able to defy the Heavens. Jun Wu Yao's might could easily dominate over anyone Jun Wu Xie had ever seen. Ye Sha had shown that his powers were about on par with those people from the Twelve Palaces in the Cloudy Peaks, and as Ye Sha's Lord, Jun Wu Yao's powers, would naturally not be inferior to Ye Sha's.

Although Jun Wu Xie had had her own guesses about it all this while, it was only at this moment that she confirmed her suspicions.

Ye Sha did not say a word, and just silently left the room.

Jun Wu Xie lay down on her bed, and Lord Meh Meh trotted over and jumped up. It used its rotund body to squeeze the little black cat away from Jun Wu Xie's side, and snuggled up closer to find itself a comfortable position, sticking itself close to Jun Wu Xie as it laid itself down.

"Not in the Lower Realm?" Jun Wu Xie asked herself as she laid the back of her hand on her cool forehead. Even she did not know what was wrong with herself today.

Why did she suddenly think of Jun Wu Yao?

The emotions that filled her heart were strange and unfamiliar to her and it made her feel rather helpless and lost. There was a slight twinge that tugged at her heart and she could not explain or pinpoint the problem properly.

As she laid upon the soft bedding, Jun Wu Xie's eyes slowly closed as she slowly drifted off into a dreamless sleep.

It was brought and early the next morning when all the disciples of the Zephyr Academy were gathered. They were supposed to have gone for training but they were suddenly notified to immediately gather at the Zephyr Academy's assembly square.

The square was packed with youths, as the disciples followed their respective teachers' lead, to stand in neat rows as they filed in.

The Zephyr Academy seldom gathered all the disciples so formally and the square was filled with chatter and debate. Everyone was trying to guess the reason behind the sudden decision for all the disciples and teachers congregate so suddenly.

"This must have something to do with Jun Xie." One of the youths among the crowd whispered loudly, attracting the attention of many other disciples.

"How can that be? You think she is capable of causing every single one of us to be mobilised like this in such a grand fashion?"

"That just shows how ignorant you are. One of my dorm mates is a disciple of the Spirit Healer faculty. He told me Jun Xie had suddenly appeared at the Spirit Healer faculty yesterday. Didn't you hear about that?" Another youth exclaimed proudly.

All the disciples around them suddenly held strange expressions on their faces, their eyes flashing brightly at the piece of juicy gossip they just heard.

"Really? What happened then? Tell us quick!"

Suddenly finding all eyes were focused on him, the youth was feeling extremely flattered and he loved the feeling as he basked proudly under all the undiverted attention showered upon him. He then asked all of the others with his chest puffed up: "Just a few days ago, did you all hear the rumours about Jun Xie having murdered Li Zi Mu? Do you still remember that?"

All the youths around him nodded vehemently. It had caused such a big stir, how could any of them forget that?

"Li Zi Mu was a disciple of the Spirit Healer faculty and he was even personally selected by Gu Li Sheng when he had broken the norm and accepted only one lone disciple this year. Li Zi Mu had been extremely favored in the Spirit Healer faculty as Gu Li Sheng had showered him with utmost care and concern and had even personally instructed him in the art. But this very well favored disciple had very suddenly and mysteriously died in the Battle Spirit Forest. Do you think Gu Li Sheng would be pleased at all? Hence, he had ordered a thorough investigation into the incident a few days ago and it was found out that Jun Xie was linked to Li Zi Mu's death." The youth exclaimed loudly, his spit spraying over his audience listening in rapt attention.

When the other disciples heard the new developments, some of the youths who had been pretending to be uninterested before started to join the group.

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Chapter 584:- Slapping the Mob (2)

When the other disciples heard the new developments, some of the youths who had been pretending to be uninterested before started to join the group.

Just recently, two major incidents had occurred in the Zephyr Academy. The first was when Lu Wei Jie had been expelled from the academy together with a large bunch of other disciples and his unrestrained criticism directed at Ning Xin before he left. The other incident was when the largely well believed rumours that were still going around that Jun Xie had killed Li Zi Mu.

With these two incidents happening one after the other with such quick succession, it had greatly stirred up the disciples in the academy. As all the wild accusations and vicious rumours were all saying that the culprits had committed the merciless murder of a fellow disciple in both instances, they had attracted the attention of everyone.

"Gu Li Sheng's prominence in the academy makes him practically untouchable and not even the Headmaster can stop him from doing what he wants to do. And when Gu Li Sheng's beloved disciple gets mysteriously killed, do you think he would spare the culprits that easily? Jun Xie's visit to the Spirit Healer faculty yesterday was to plead for leniency from Gu Li Sheng but when he left, it was said that her face was pale and ashen. Without a doubt, Jun Xie must have been rejected. Think about it. Jun Xie had gone to the Spirit Healer faculty yesterday, and today we have all been gathered here suddenly. What else could this be about? My guess is that that dumb fool must have angered Gu Li Sheng so much that Gu Li Sheng wants to settle the scores today and avenge the death of his beloved disciple!"

"After hearing all that you said, it sounds really plausible. I had heard that Gu Li Sheng was the one who had asked for everyone to gather here today. And based on everything you have told us, it seems everything really fits together." Another disciple added.

The group of youths suddenly broke out into a chorus of evil chuckles.

No one would want to study in the same academy with someone who might stab so in the back anytime without warning.

"Hey! Look over there! Who is that over there?" A sharp eyed youth suddenly hollered, having spotted two figures approaching the square from a distance.

One of them was someone everybody knew and recognised. It was Fan Jin. While the other figure who was standing beside Fan Jin was a small petite sized youth, with delicate features on his face.

"What! ? He still dares to show his face! ? Is he really not afraid of death?"

"Do you even think he would be able to hide from all of that? If Gu Li Sheng wants to revenge for Li Zi Mu, Jun Xie would not be able to escape even if he leaves the Zephyr Academy!"

The square was filled with those who sneered and were anxious to add fuel to the fire, and it also had no lack of people who just wanted to lie low and enjoy the show.

As Jun Wu Xie neared the square with her every single step, all the eyes in the square were turned, fixed onto her.

Ning Xin and Yin Yan stood within the crowd of disciples, their faces twisted in gleeful and evil smiles.

"Looks like we do not need to do anything else to get rid of him since he has already sealed his own doom when he went to seek out Gu Li Sheng. There is no way Gu Li Sheng would spare that brat easily." Ning Xin whispered, her eyes filled with venom, but her mouth was still turned up, maintaining a gentle smile.

"Today's notice to gather all of us here was really issued by my Master?" Yin Yan asked.

Ning Xin nodded.

"Who else could it be but him?"

"Does that mean my Master will be making his move against Jun Xie today?"

"Naturally. Who does Jun Xie think he is? He thinks he can convince Gu Li Sheng to let him off for Li Zi Mu's death just by making a trip to the Spirit Healer faculty to plead? How naive." Ning Xin sang out happily.

Yin Yan brought his voice down to a low whisper and said: "Senior Ning, if Gu Li Sheng is to move against Jun Xie today..... Does not that differ from what we have planned?"

Ning Xin had intended for Jun Xie to finally admit defeat and come crawling to her where she would have a great opportunity to recruit and take Jun Xie under her wings. But if Jun Xie were to be killed here today..... She would find all her plans suddenly crumbling to dust.

Ning Xin was unconcerned as she snorted derisively and crossed her arms under her ample bosom to say: "Gu Li Sheng might be very protective of his disciples, but he is not one that likes to have blood on his hands. That fact that he had expended so much effort to get everyone gathered must be for the purpose of his revenge for Li Zi Mu, but that does not mean Jun Xie will be killed. If he really wanted Jun Xie dead, he could easily have done it using more covert methods. The most he would do to Jun Xie would be to give him a strong and stern reprimand, before throwing him out of the Zephyr Academy. But....."

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Chapter 585:- Slapping the Mob (3)

Ning Xin continued with a laugh: "Getting yourself driven out of the Zephyr Academy by Gu Li Sheng will be worse than if you are expelled by the Headmaster himself. The Spirit Healing Technique that Gu Li Sheng possesses has many powers obsessed with it. Once people know that Jun Xie has incurred the wrath of Gu Li Sheng, they will not risk angering Gu Li Sheng and will make life difficult for Jun Xie. Shouldering the burden of being disliked by Gu Li Sheng, Jun Xie's life after leaving the Zephyr Academy would be burdened with severely limited opportunities no matter where she went. If I don't push him that far, how will he stop putting up that cold and arrogant front?"

She wasn't being vicious, but it was Jun Xie who did not know what was good for himself and snubbed the olive branch that she extended to him. Hence, he must suffer the consequences!

Yin Yan remained silent when he saw that Jun Xie had already reached the square, and he shrank back and melded himself to hide within the crowd.

No matter how confident Ning Xin was being, Yin Yan had somehow already developed an innate fear of Jun Xie.

He would never be able to forget the scene he had witnessed in the Battle Spirits Forest.

With the appearance of Jun Xie, a heated chatter erupted as all eyes fixed upon the tiny figure. The piercing gazes could almost be felt by even Fan Jin, who was walking beside Jun Wu Xie, like daggers upon his back, making every step he took a laborious task.

But Jun Wu Xie on the other hand seemed completely unaffected, her face a placid calm, her steps unhurried, as she walked forward under overwhelming number of dagger stares. She seemed to be cut off from the world and was only walking with Fan Jin beside her, alone.

Jun Xie's calm caused all those who were waiting to see him panic stricken feeling endlessly disappointed.

Prickly curses and admonishments were thrown at Jun Xie in an endless stream but Jun Xie did not grace any of them with a response, or even give the slightest reaction to the incessant provocations, his eyes remaining focused forward.

While the clamour of the crowd continued, the Headmaster of the Zephyr Academy Fan Qi suddenly appeared at the front of the square. He cut a tall and striking figure, standing before all the disciples of the academy, his attractive face in a benign smile.

"Having all of you gathered here today, was not my idea, but it is Gu Li Sheng of the Spirit Healer faculty that asked for it. Today, he has some words that he would like to share with all of you here." Fan Qi explained with a smile on his face and stepped back to relinquish the space at the front of the crowd.

Only the Heavens knew, with the multiple incidents that had plagued the Zephyr Academy in succession, he had been a little lost on how he was to handle it. And now that Gu Li Sheng had volunteered to step forward, Fan Qi was only too glad to hand the issue over to him and spare himself the hassle.

Gu Li Sheng ambled slowly under all the expectant stares to come stand before the amassed crowd of disciples. He was dressed in a brocade robe of royal blue with a beautiful piece of jade hanging at his hip, looking every inch a gentleman, suave and graceful. But the air around him made people hesitate to approach him, and to maintain a certain distance away from him.

Gu Li Sheng's appearance caused the crowd to break into another loud clamour after having quietened down with Fan Qi's announcement.

Although many of them had guessed earlier that Gu Li Sheng had wanted to seek revenge for Li Zi Mu's death and that was the reason he had spared no effort to mobilised everyone in the whole academy. But before seeing Gu Li Sheng appear in person, many others had still been secretly doubtful.

But now, Gu Li Sheng was standing before all of them in the flesh, and that had strongly reaffirmed all those guesses!

Many of the disciples subconsciously turned their eyes to look at Jun Xie, and the thoughts that they were thinking in their minds were obvious without needing anyone to say it out loud.

However, Jun Xie once again greatly disappointed the disciples of the Zephyr Academy with his reaction. His eyes were still cold and he did not even bother to cast a single glance at any of them and that tiny face which couldn't exactly be thought as too handsome held a chilly expression but showed no other emotion.

Gu Li Sheng was standing right in front of all the disciples gathered before him as he swept his eyes over all of them before he finally said in a solemn voice: "Quiet."

Immediately, the whispers and mutterings stopped completely.

No one dared defy the creator of the Spirit Healing Technique and cause him any displeasure. That would be a fate worse than being thrown out of the Zephyr Academy.

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Chapter 586:- Slapping the Mob (4)

Once satisfied that all the disciples had quietened down, Gu Li Sheng's eyes turned deep. He paused another moment in silence and his clear voice rang out: "All this while, the Spirit Healer faculty always had the least number of disciples. This, I believe, is a fact known to all of you. And all of you think being accepted into the Spirit Healer faculty is an exceptional honour where you will learn the Spirit Healing Technique and you will live a life of luxury without worry after that. Is that right?"

At Gu Li Sheng's question, all the disciples started nodding their head in agreement.

Gu Li Sheng asked again: "Do all of you feel, being able to become a disciple under Gu Li Sheng is a matter that gives you unparalleled honour?"

The disciples of the Zephyr Academy did not dare to make a sound and they all could only nod once again.

"Do all of you think that I, Gu Li Sheng, as the founder of the Spirit Healing Technique, would know the Spirit Healing Technique better than anyone else under the Heavens?" Gu Li Sheng asked of the crowd.

That was without a doubt! And all of them nodded one more time.

Gu Li Sheng cast a satisfied gaze over the sea of Zephyr Academy's disciples before him, who were nodding like chicks pecking at grains as they nodded their heads. He then smiled slightly and said: "Very good."

The audience were baffled by what Gu Li Sheng's line of questions were driving at but they could do nothing but wait patiently.

"So now, if I am to tell all of you that there exists a person under the Heavens, a person whose knowledge on the Spirit Healing Technique exceeds mine, a person that I, Gu Li Sheng, am unable to teach or instruct, would you believe me?"

Immediately, the nods turned into shakes of their heads.

Gu Li Sheng's smile widened.

"Do all of you know why you were not accepted into the Spirit Healer faculty?"

They youths in the crowd shook their heads uniformly.

"It's because all of you do not even understand what the Spirit Healing Technique is, and you all do not even have it in you to even understand it. To be completely honest, even for the current disciples I have in the Spirit Healing faculty now, strictly speaking, none of them qualifies. If my own standards were used to gauge, my Spirit Healing faculty would not have accepted a single disciple that failed to meet my criteria!" Gu Li Sheng's words took a sudden turn, and his tone suddenly became stern!

"The reason that I accepted them, was not because that they were superior to any of you. It was because, as a teacher of the Zephyr Academy, I needed to accept disciples, or I will not be able to answer to the Headmaster." Gu Li Sheng said, not mincing his words.

As Gu Li Sheng spoke, Fan Qi, who had retreated to the back, suddenly had his face turn pale, but not in anger or rage, but from embarrassment.

All of Gu Li Sheng's words greatly surprised the disciples gathered before him, and the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty among them were suddenly trembling from the rude shock that struck upon them when they heard those words.

All this while, they had thought that they were superior to all the other disciples and that was why they had been accepted into the Spirit Healer faculty. That was why they were given the opportunity to learn the Spirit Healing Technique under Gu Li Sheng's tutelage. However, Gu Li Sheng's words today, had felt like a big hot slap across their faces, in front of everyone else in the academy, shattering and breaking into a crumble, the self perceived sense of elitism that they had been so proud of all this time!

Gu Li Sheng however, was not going to hold back, and he continued to say: "I had been resigned, that I would never ever find a person suited to learn the Spirit Healing Technique. Till one fine day! I met a youth. His appearance made me realise what the word prodigy meant..... No, to put it more accurately, he could no longer be termed as just a prodigy, but more like a freak! His understanding of the Spirit Healer Technique had even quickly surpassed mine!"

Once Gu Li Sheng's words fell into the ears of the crowd, the silence in the square was suddenly broken.

To be able to surpass Gu Li Sheng in the Spirit Healing Technique. That was just utterly unbelievable. Gu Li Sheng had always had a gentle temperament, but he was unbendingly strict when it came to the Spirit Healing Technique. From what he had said about the standards he held in his selection of disciples, it could be seen that he would not compromise when it came to his area of expertise.

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Chapter 587:- Slapping the Mob (5)

For someone to have gained recognition from Gu Li Sheng, that person must most definitely be someone who possessed real knowledge on the matter!

Before this, the favouritism that Gu Li Sheng had shown Li Zi Mu was obvious to everyone to see. Almost everyone there was guessing that the only disciple that he said he recognized was none other than Li Zi Mu!

Otherwise, why would Gu Li Sheng accept only one lone disciple this year, who was the late Li Zi Mu? Gu Li Sheng had shown him the utmost care and concern and had treated him exceptionally well over the other disciples in the Spirit Healer faculty.

All the disciples thought that Gu Li Sheng's rage today was all due to Li Zi Mu's death.

The only disciple that Gu Li Sheng personally acknowledged had died under mysterious circumstances, Gu Li Sheng must be greatly infuriated!

Hearing the sternness in Gu Li Sheng's voice, all the disciples of the Zephyr Academy were suddenly fearful. But they were not afraid as they all knew that the one that had been responsible for Li Zi Mu's death had been Jun Xie and it had nothing to do with them. Gu Li Sheng's rage was all directed at Jun Xie!

They would just need to be patient and enjoy the show.

Ning Xin hid within the crowd and smiled secretly to herself, her eyes filled with malice as she stared at Jun Xie from among the sea of disciples.

But Yin Yan, who was standing next to Ning Xin was feeling that something did not seem right.

It was a fact that Gu Li Sheng had shown Li Zi Mu favoured treatment, but if anyone was to say that Li Zi Mu's understanding of the Spirit Healing Technique surpassed Gu Li Sheng, he wouldn't be able to make himself believe it in the slightest.

In the whole time that Li Zi Mu had been in the Spirit Healer faculty, he had not even been able to grasp the most basic of fundamentals. Hence, it was impossible that Li Zi Mu's knowledge of the Spirit Healing Technique would surpass Gu Li Sheng! That would have to be the biggest joke!

Yin Yan could not help but to feel that something was out of place but no matter how much he thought about it, he could not identify what was wrong.

"I had always thought that the Zephyr Academy, being one of the top three institutions of learning, its disciples would surely be logical, quicker of mind and possess a high sense of propriety. But I have found that I was wrong." The stern expression on Gu Li Sheng's face suddenly let out a derisory laugh.

"Today, I would like to introduce someone to all of you here. This person, is the very freakish monster that had far surpassed me with his deep understanding of the Spirit Healing Technique!" Gu Li Sheng was already walking towards the crowd as he spoke.

All the disciples of the Zephyr Academy were all struck dumb as silence fell in the air filled with surprise.

Introduce?

What did that mean?

Isn't Li Zi Mu already dead? Did Gu Li Sheng intend to dig up Li Zi Mu's body? To confer upon Li Zi Mu an official title?

The disciples all stared flummoxed at Gu Li Sheng as he approached the crowd, and he suddenly turned into another direction when he was just about ten meters away!

Under the baleful stares of all the other disciples, Gu Li Sheng came to the two lone figures who had been isolated by the rest.

"Jun Xie, you must have suffered a lot throughout this period." Gu Li Sheng stood right before Jun Xie, his face unreservedly apologetic as the crowd gasped loudly.

Jun Wu Xie nevertheless shook her head.

Gu Li Sheng stretched out a big hand, and led Jun Wu Xie to walk back with him, to come stand right before the whole crowd.

"Jun Xie, is the little monstrous prodigy that I mentioned. The devil youth that had eclipsed me with her unsurpassed understanding of the Spirit Healing Technique!" Gu Li Sheng's chest was puffed up proudly, as he loudly announced the earth shaking news to all the disciples and teachers of the Zephyr Academy gathered before them!

At that moment, the entire square was hushed into a deathly silence. And in a blink, in the next moment, the whole crowd exploded into a clamour so loud that it almost tore the skies apart!

"Jun Xie!?"

"How can it be Jun Xie!?"

Didn't Gu Li Sheng say it was all a misunderstanding at that time? He said that Jun Xie was not the disciple he picked! What is happening here!?"

The shocking news sparked off an inferno as Gu Li Sheng's words sank into the crowd. The inferno was spreading at the speed of light reaching all the way to the ends of the sea of disciples.

Shock, doubt, horror..... Countless complicated emotions flooded the sea of disciples as it dawned upon them what their past actions had done!

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Chapter 588:- Slapping the Mob (6)

They would never have dreamed that the lone disciple that was acknowledged by Gu Li Sheng himself would actually be Jun Xie!

The disciple that had been branded a despicable youth the very first day he had been admitted into the Zephyr Academy!

And all the curses that Jun Xie had suffered under had all started from the Spirit Healing faculty itself!

But now, the sudden turn of events had changed everything dramatically and all the disciples could not believe it.

How..... was all of it possible?

"All this time, the disciple that I handpicked personally had only been Jun Xie, and Jun Xie alone. I had thought that I had found myself the most suitable disciple, but never did I expect to find a monstrous prodigy that I could not help but admire. Jun Xie had only needed barely two hours to fully and completely grasp the concepts behind the Spirit Healing Technique and was even able to suggest ways to improve the technique." As Gu Li Sheng spoke, his face was filled with an expression of utmost pride.

"The Spirit Healing Technique is a matter of grave importance. In order to allow Jun Xie the time and space to complete his work on improving the technique, and to prevent anyone with ulterior motives to cause him any harm, I had no other choice at that time but to temporarily release him from the Spirit Healer faculty. To avoid raising any unwanted suspicions, another freshman was randomly picked to fill up the vacancy left by Jun Xie's temporary departure. All these changes were carried out with the Headmaster's prior approval and I had clearly explained it to the newly selected disciple. To avoid exposing Jun Xie, I had always told everyone else that it had all just been a big misunderstanding."

When Gu Li Sheng finished, his brow creased up alarmingly, his tone of voice lost the gentleness that was present just moments before, and his gaze grew sharp as he swept his eyes over the gathered disciples of the Zephyr Academy before he said: "But the one thing that I had not expected, was how foolish the disciples of our Zephyr Academy had shown themselves to be. You were so easily convinced of those malicious and unfounded rumours others spread, and went on to repeatedly accuse and wound Jun Xie, which greatly disappointed me. The truth of the whole matter is known to me and known by the Headmaster as well. Right from the start, Jun Xie had never attempted or intended to steal anyone's position as that position had been his right from the start! Jun Xie was the one that had asked to be released from that position which opened up an otherwise unavailable opportunity to others. All of you did not bother about the truth and without having witnessed it, you believed those vicious rumours as the truth. The curses and admonishments all of you threw at Jun Xie thereafter had truly blemished the prestigious name of the Zephyr Academy!"

Gu Li Sheng's strongly worded speech completely shattered all the various poisonous rumours surrounding Jun Xie all this time! And it had inadvertently given one hard slap to all those disciples who had hurled all those groundless accusations at Jun Xie!

Gu Li Sheng's words, made all the youths before him fall silent, unable to offer a single word of retort.

Fan Qi, who had not said a single word stepped forward at that moment. He gave out a big sigh before he said: "I can bear witness that every single word Gu Li Sheng said today is nothing but the truth. In the beginning, when he spoke to me about the matter, I was completely shocked. I could not believe that a mere fourteen year old youth could surpass Gu Li Sheng's understanding of the Spirit Healing Technique. But I knew that Gu Li Sheng, as the founder of the Spirit Healing Technique, treated everything associated to the technique like his own child and would never joke about it. I trusted in his eye in recognising talent and I trusted in his judgement then. And now, the facts prove that I was not wrong about Gu Li Sheng, and Gu Li Sheng was right about Jun Xie."

When that was mentioned, Gu Li Sheng paused a moment and began to say: "It was just recently, and I do not know who is the person responsible for it, but that person had suddenly wanted to investigate into the cause of Li Zi Mu's death, which suddenly threw up another round of vicious rumours to be spread within the whole academy. And in order to present to all of you the real truth of the matter, I personally initiated an investigation into it. Li Zi Mu was ascertained to have been killed by a Spirit Beast as the mortal wound on his body was seen to have been caused by the claws and fangs of a ferocious beast, and not by human hands. And it is obvious, as right before your eyes now, all of you can see that the target of all your suspicions right here. His beastial ring spirit is only a tiny palm sized little black cat. May I ask all of you here, how could a puny little cat like this break the neck of a full grown youth in his teens with a single bite?"

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Chapter 589:- Slapping the Mob (7)

Both the revered Gu Li Sheng and the respected Fan Qi had stood forward and told everyone the whole truth behind the matter and used their unblemished reputation and fame to vouch for Jun Xie's integrity. Compared to the flimsy reasonings behind those vicious rumours, the proofs and evidences those two produced were found to be much more trustworthy and ultimately more believable!

One was the Head of the Spirit Healing faculty, and the other was the Headmaster of the entire Zephyr Academy. These two entities, with the esteemed positions they held, gave them the highest authority above anyone else in the whole Zephyr Academy, and they did not need to go to such an extent to protect a quiet and inconspicuous freshman for no good reason!

At that moment, all the negative names that Jun Xie had been branded with were completely cleared. No one would still dare to link Jun Xie to all those baseless and unfounded rumours ever again!

What all the disciples felt for Jun Xie now was no longer hatred or disgust, but they found themselves filled with shock and amazement for the youth.

Not even in their wildest dreams, would they have expected that the truth would turn out to be like this!

The very one they had all cursed and sworn at all this while, was in actual fact the biggest victim in this whole episode!

In fact, the one who had in actuality taken over someone else's position in the Spirit Healer faculty was not Jun Xie in the first place, but was Li Zi Mu!

"I can vouch for his character as well! Jun Xie is nothing like what the rumours are saying about him! If not for Jun Xie, I would not have been able to get out of the Battle Spirits Forest alive!" A thin and weak youth had suddenly stepped out of the crowd and loudly proclaimed after bolstering his courage to speak up.

"I can vouch for him too!"

"And me!"

In quick succession, over ten disciples had stepped out from among the gathered mass of disciples. They were all without exception, from the team that had been with Li Zi Mu when they had initially gone into the Battle Spirits Forest.

"I was Li Zi Mu's assigned mentor right from the beginning. Initially, I had been just like all of you and completely believed everything that Li Zi Mu said, and gravely misunderstood Jun Xie. But it wasn't until the Spirit Hunt that I realised I couldn't have been more wrong! The despicable one was never Jun Xie, but Li Zi Mu!" The youth who had mentored Li Zi Mu stood forth unabashed, and told everyone all that had really happened in the Battle Spirits Forest, without leaving out a single detail.

The words he was telling now, was exactly what he had repeated countless times before. When Jun Xie was being mercilessly cursed and sworn at, he had valiantly tried to defend Jun Xie then.

But, being just the ordinary disciple that he was, no one believed a single word he said!

But today, things were completely different!

Those very same words, when spoken aloud before the crowd today, caused an uproar to sweep through the sea of disciples present!

They had never imagined that Li Zi Mu could be so despicable and shameless. Besides having been the one that took Jun Xie's position, he had still gone around and spread false rumours about Jun Xie's duplicity and despicable intentions. Li Zi Mu had even abandoned his teammates during the Spirit Hunt who had gotten themselves injured by saving him. He had at the first instance, shamelessly clung onto the powerful Fan Jin for protection and Jun Xie had magnanimously not taken it against Li Zi Mu and accepted him readily!

The real truth behind all of it threw Li Zi Mu's name into the mud and it completely turned Jun Xie's image in the minds of everyone present!

All those youths who had previously endlessly lambasted Jun Xie before, all those youths who had previously cursed Jun Xie mercilessly in the past, and also all those who had fervently wished that Jun Xie would be expelled from the Zephyr Academy, now all hung their heads low guiltily, filled with regret and shame, not daring to even look at Jun Xie.

At that moment, they all wished the ground would just open up, and swallow them whole, hiding them from the guilt and embarrassment they all felt, as their cheeks burned up, in a bright red glow.

They were unable to face anyone, when they realised just how dumb they had been.

They had been led around by the nose by those false rumours, they had naively believed what their ears heard. Even when the truth of the matter had not been clear, they had blindly followed the crowd and followed those vicious rumours, to time and again, falsely accused and smeared Jun Xie's name.

It was just as Gu Li Sheng had said. Their very actions, had brought great shame to the Zephyr Academy's name!

Gu Li Sheng observed with satisfaction the reactions of all the disciples before him. "Today, before the presence of everyone here, I would like to once again, extend my invitation to Jun Xie, to return to the Spirit Healing faculty. I hope you will accept." Gu Li Sheng asked in humility as he looked at Jun Xie, slightly lowering his head, to demonstrate the guilt he felt, towards the little lad.

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Chapter 590:- Slapping the Mob (8)

Jun Wu Xie nodded.

Gu Li Sheng stared at the crowd and said: "From now onwards, Jun Xie would be a member of the Spirit Healer faculty. But all of you listen up here! He is not my disciple, I am not qualified to teach or guide him, and neither am I qualified enough to be his Teacher! He will henceforth hold half of the power in the Spirit Healing faculty! Even though he is admitted into the Spirit Healing faculty as a disciple, no one must ever treat Jun Xie like a disciple!"

As Gu Li Sheng spoke those words, his gaze fell onto the figure of Qian Yuan He among the crowd but quickly moved to sweep over the entire crowd.

Among all the Teachers in the Zephyr Academy, Qian Yuan He was one who often said he was ashamed of Jun Xie, and had claimed that Jun Xie was not qualified to receive his teachings.

And Gu Li Sheng's words today, had delivered a slap across his face as well.

Qian Yuan He was a nobody in the Zephyr Academy.

He was just an ordinary teacher in the Beast Spirit faculty, and teachers and instructors who excelled over him were a dime a dozen!

Moreover to the eyes of Gu Li Sheng, who held complete authority in the revered Spirit Healing faculty?

Compare to Gu Li Sheng, Qian Yuan He was not even good enough to carry his shoes!

Gu Li Sheng had proclaimed that he himself did not possess the qualification to teach or instruct Jun Xie, that would come to mean that Qian Yuan He was even more unqualified. Qian Yuan He had once accused Jun Xie of not being showing any inclination to learn, had undesirable character traits. All these words were now all thrown back in his face with Gu Li Sheng's words today!

The insignificant Qian Yuan He holding contempt for Jun Xie? It seems now the joke had been turned on him!

With just that brief glance from Gu Li Sheng, Qian Yuan He went deathly pale, and his shoulders started to shake. He subconsciously shrank back into the crowd, wishing he could sink deep into the ground at that moment, and never appear before people again.

From being a despicable cad that everyone cursed and swore at, to suddenly become the genius who had suffered in silence while undertaking such a prodigious task, Jun Xie had successfully reinvented her long ragged tattered image within the Zephyr Academy within just a short hour, and dealt all the disciples and faculty one big slap across all their faces.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the whole academy, Gu Li Sheng led Jun Xie away. Jun Xie had no said a single word throughout but just watched on quietly at the side as every single nosy parker got their well deserved slaps.

After Gu Li Sheng and Jun Xie had left, the entire exploded into a deafening chatter of voices. Everyone started talking about today's shocking revelations and those that had previously cursed Jun Xie the most quickly ran away, their tails between their legs, afraid that they might be skinned alive by the suddenly unruly mob.

If Jun Xie was useless trash, what would they be?

Worse than trash.....

Today, everyone in the Zephyr Academy, from the top to the bottom, had been collectively slapped. All the disciples, and even the teachers, were all looking at each other guiltily. The red and hot burning sensation on their faces made they feel as if they had really been physically slapped.

Under the ruckus in the square, the deeply ashamed disciples and the members of the faculty did not want to remain there a moment longer. Every moment they stayed there made their faces burn hotter and they quickly decided to beat a hasty retreat. But the realisation that came with today's events was deeply etched onto their hearts.

The crowd in the square quickly dispersed, but Ning Xin had remained in her spot, completely frozen in place.

"How can it be..... Impossible..... How could Jun Xie be the disciple that Gu Li Sheng had picked....." Ning Xin's eyes were impossibly wide, and she had still not recovered from the shock. No one would be able to comprehend how hard the shock had hit her when she had heard all those words earlier!

Her mind was filled with an endless and incessant buzzing. The plans she had schemed up so confidently all this while had suddenly crumbled to dust, falling apart all around her.

Gu Li Sheng had wanted to avenge Li Zi Mu!?

That now sounded so ridiculous and the joke had most definitely fallen onto her.

Throughout his speech, Gu Li Sheng had not even bothered to mention Li Zi Mu's name and only termed him as a freshman. It was obvious, that Gu Li Sheng was privy to all of Li Zi Mu's undesirable actions. The contempt he held for Li Zi Mu, could very well have exceeded everyone else's!

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Chapter 591:- Slapping the Mob (9)

It suddenly dawned on Ning Xin that right from the beginning, she had already been wrong!

She had underestimated Jun Xie's abilities and she had also been wrong about the faculty Jun Xie was actually in. All her ploys had been made based on wrong information right from the start and now that everything was revealed, all the schemes she plotted would not do her a single ounce of good.....

"Senior Ning....." Yin Yan looked dreadfully fearful as he stared at Ning Xin. Before Jun Xie's real identity was exposed, Gu Li Sheng's choice of words had made him raise his suspicions, but he had not been able to pinpoint what was wrong then.

It was not until everything was revealed that he realised, just like everyone else, he had been hoodwinked by Li Zi Mu's single side of the story.

"This cannot be..... How can it be....." A panic suddenly overtook Ning Xin and Yin Yan hurried over to hold her up.

"Senior Ning, what do we do now?" Yin Yan was truly terrified. He had already grown rather fearful of Jun Xie previously. Now, before everyone in the entire Zephyr Academy, Gu Li Sheng had severely criticised all the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty to be incompetent. When he had admonished everyone for believing in the rumours so easily, all the disciples in the Spirit Healer faculty had naturally be included.

After all, the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty had been just as guilty in their cursing and swearing of Jun Xie!

If Jun Xie had just been an ordinary disciple, things might not have gotten this bad, but Jun Xie had been the lone disciple that Gu Li Sheng personally acknowledged and valued heavily. With that in mind, Gu Li Sheng would not continue to instruct those disciples he had forced himself to accept previously as their Master any longer.....

That thought alone, made Yin Yan tremble at the consequences.

All that he had relied on all this time in the academy, had been his envied position in the Spirit Healer faculty.....

If he was to lose that, he would end up.....

"Fan Jin knew....." Ning Xin suddenly caught Yin Yan's arm in a vice grip, pulling herself upright.

"Fan Jin had known it right from the start! He must have known! Or why would he have persisted to defend Jun Xie so many times!? Or why would he be willing to even risk his own reputation to ensure Jun Xie's safety!? Ha ha ha! Ha ha ha! Because he had known it all this while! That Jun Xie was the disciple that Gu Li Sheng valued! Ha ha ha! Fan Jin, oh Fan Jin! I, Ning Xin has truly underestimated you!" A mouthful of blood suddenly gushed out from Ning Xin's mouth. Everything had been smooth sailing for her in the academy all her life but ever since she met Jun Xie, she found herself faced with countless obstacle. All the schemes that she had taken great pains to plot were completely shredded and torn apart before they could take effect. She had prided herself to be highly intelligent, but now she had been reduced to become the biggest joke!

A moment's slip up, had caused her to lose all that she had!

There was no longer a chance that Jun Xie would become the underdog anymore. With Gu Li Sheng behind him, it was no longer possible that Jun Xie would submit to her when he became the underdog that everyone despised.

Her ploy to win Jun Xie over to her side had now evaporated entirely.

While Fan Jin had supported Jun Xie right from from the beginning and they had established an unbreakable bond in their alliance!

The knot that had formed in Ning Xin's chest, almost suffocated her then.

She stood there laughing hysterically, like she had lost her mind.

Having witnessed Jun Xie's ring spirit herself, Ning Xin would never be able to accept Fan Qi's earlier explanation to be the truth.

Tiny cat?

For Heaven's sake, that was a massive ferocious black beast!

But that fact was known only to her and Yin Yan. Jun Xie had always only presented his ring spirit in the black cat's form before everyone else, and even if the two of them had gone to tell everyone that Jun Xie's ring spirit was in actuality not an ordinary black cat, they would never be believed.

She had lost this time, she had lost really badly!

Ning Xin's hysterical laughter continued, as was the blood that flowed out from her mouth. The intense rage that wrecked at her heart and the utter sense of defeat that overwhelmed her caused Ning Xin to lose all calm and any conscious sense of decorum, her usual grace and genteel manners forgotten.

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Chapter 592:- Slapping the Mob (10)

Yin Yan stared at Ning Xin with fear in his eyes, and the terror was beginning to spread throughout his body.

After today's events, no one would be able to use anything from Jun Xie's past to smear or slander him any longer.

Gu Li Sheng had personally invited Jun Xie to return to the Spirit Healer faculty in such a grand fashion. Not a single one of them would dare go offend Jun Xie in the slightest now.

Just for the sole fact that he was more knowledgeable than Gu Li Sheng in the Spirit Healing Technique was already enough to make everyone submit. Jun Xie's status among the disciples of the Zephyr Academy had been elevated to a height that was unshakable. All those who had cursed and spat at his name, with those that had completely despised him as a person, had from today onwards, found their prior self justified reasons and weak excuses for doing so, completely smashed to smithereens. Just for the one glaring fact that Jun Xie had a full grasp of the Spirit Healing Technique had made everyone back off in deference, with not a single one among them daring to show him the slightest affront.

Yin Yan raised his head to stare into the grey and overcast sky looming above him.

A complete change had come over the Zephyr Academy, leaving a great mark on this day, that will be well remembered long into the future.

The fear in Yin Yan filled his heart. He summoned all his courage and dragged Ning Xin, who was acting like she had lost her mind, along with him, to leave the deserted square.

And after the duo left, an unnoticed skinny and ragged lone figure was left standing, far in one corner of the spacious plaza.

Ah Jing's face was pale, as he stared at the bare and empty square.

He had clearly heard every last word that Gu Li Sheng and Fan Qi had said earlier. Just like everyone else, Ah Jing had come to the square with great anticipation, thinking that Jun Xie would be shamed and thrown out of the Zephyr Academy by Gu Li Sheng today. Never had he expected that he had come here today to hear the truth of the matter, a truth that he could not make himself believe in.

Ah Jing suddenly found his legs buckling out under him and he fell to the ground. His fingers curled and his nails scratched upon the hard ground, leaving bright red blood trails on the floor.

.....

What was most humiliating was when the person you most despised, stepped upon your face pushing in into the ground.

Although throughout the whole process, Jun Wu Xie had not said a single word, she had inadvertently trampled on all the faces of every single disciple and faculty member into the ground and had even stamped hard on a few of them.

Jun Xie was "invited" back to the Spirit Healer faculty by Gu Li Sheng on that very same day, and all the existing disciples could only watch on with their faces paled as the duo walked in, and all the other disciples did not even dare to approach them a single step.

Approach them?

Their faces were still burning with shame.

Their identities as disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty that they had been so proud of, had been exposed to be a farce and that Gu Li Sheng had been unwilling forced to grant them their discipleship due to the pressure from Fan Qi, the Headmaster.

They had never gained Gu Li Sheng's approval at all in the first place.

But they had been completely ignorant and gone with the flow, and followed everyone else to scorn, ridicule and bash at Jun Xie's name and reputation.

They were just.....

Utterly contemptible!

Jun Wu Xie followed Gu Li Sheng into his office. Only upon the moment the door shut, was Gu Li Sheng able to relax his tightly tensed up body, and the hard lines on his face suddenly became gentle.

"How was it? Was that an acceptable response to your request?" Gu Li Sheng asked, looking smilingly at Jun Xie. Today's performance had been specially put together for Jun Xie's sake and he hoped that would at least make up to Jun Xie in some way for the oppression he had undergone during this period.

"Yes." Jun Wu Xie nodded.

Gu Li Sheng had put up a splendid show this time, and Jun Wu Xie was completely satisfied.

"Ha ha. That's great. This was the first time I created such a big stir." Gu Li Sheng was finally able to swallow his heart back down that had been lodged in his throat all this time. He had firstly decided to make such a grand show of it today to express his sincerity to Jun Xie, and also to fight for the sheer injustice that Jun Xie had suffered.

Just by hearing those vicious rumours, would already cause much distress to many people. The fact that Jun Xie had been able to endure and bear up so well under all that pressure, had gained Jun Xie the utmost respect from Gu Li Sheng.

If it had been anyone else, they would most definitely have jumped out to defend themselves at the first instance. Jun Xie had instead been able to take it in stride, and only exposed the truth of the matter after the task assigned to her was completed. That endless patience and stoic perseverance, made Gu Li Sheng admire the little lad all the more.

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Chapter 593:- Slapping the Mob (11)

"You should just come to the Spirit Healer faculty from today onwards. Of course, if you have anything else that you are busy with, you can just go ahead and do it. There is no need for you to inform me." Gu Li Sheng was extremely polite with his words as both his hands were gripped tightly around the scroll that Jun Xie had given him previously. He had pored over it for the past one day and night, reading and rereading it, but he was still unable to fully grasp everything written in it and he was anxious to seek Jun Xie's guidance.

Gu Li Sheng allowed Jun Xie the highest autonomy and that was something he had never ever granted to any disciple before.

But Jun Wu Xie deserved every single bit of that and all that she had received.

She possessed the required capabilities and even when Gu Li Sheng provided her with the unprecedented privilege, not a single person dared raise a single voice in protest.

Her capabilities had even developed the Spirit Healing Technique, bring it to a level above Gu Li Sheng's!

"I will need to leave for a few days after this." Jun Wu Xie said softly, immediately stating she had other business to attend to.

Gu Li Sheng panicked and tried to open his mouth. He had not expected that Jun Xie would have other things to attend to immediately.....

He suddenly felt dejected, but he could not renege on his own words.

His heart winced the more he thought about it.

"Cough..... So, how many days will you be gone?" Gu Li Sheng was looking rather awkward. He had really wanted Jun Xie to explain in more detail what he had written in the scroll.

"Not long." Jun Wu Xie replied.

The show has not ended, and she needed to go complete it. Otherwise, everyone will miss the climax she had planned for them.

"Alright, you go attend to your business then. Once you are finished, can you come back here and look for me? Actually..... about this..... scroll you handed to me..... there is one portion recorded..... in here, that I do not really understand." Gu Li Sheng's face was red with embarrassment. He did not think it was entirely appropriate for a fully grown middle aged man to have to come seeking guidance from a little youth like this. It made him feel rather..... awkward and abashed.

But his obsession with the Spirit Healing Technique forced those words to spill out from his mouth.

Jun Wu Xie stared at Gu Li Sheng. Those penetrating eyes seemed to be saying to him: "It's something so simple, and you can't understand it?".

Gu Li Sheng turned a brighter shade under that gaze.

"Alright." As Gu Li Sheng's face was turning redder and redder, Jun Wu Xie finally replied to agree.

Gu Li Sheng nodded with a smile on his face.

"This is the jade emblem of the Spirit Healer faculty. Keep it well." Gu Li Sheng presented the jade emblem of the Spirit Healer faculty before Jun Xie.

Jun Wu Xie shook her head instead.

Gu Li Sheng was suddenly confused.

"After today's events, no one will still be unaware of my identity." Jun Wu Xie replied softly. The jade emblem's purpose was meant to show the other disciples which faculty the holders of the emblem belonged to. But now that Gu Li Sheng had rocked and shook up the entire academy when he had severely berated every single one of them in their faces today, Jun Wu Xie sincerely believed, that her face would henceforth become a more obvious and prominent proof of her position in the academy than any other emblems that Gu Li Sheng could give her.

"That's true." Gu Li Sheng slipped the jade piece back into his sleeves.

Gu Li Sheng could not help himself and held Jun Xie back to ask a few questions about some parts of the scroll that he was not too clear about. It was quite a while later when he finally let Jun Xie leave.

Jun Wu Xie stepped out from Gu Li Sheng's office. When she descended the stairs and reached the atrium downstairs, she saw a bunch of Spirit Healer faculty disciples huddled together. They were hiding in a corner, as they peeked warily at her.

"Jun..... Jun Xie....." One of the youths among them was suddenly pushed out from the group, and he stuttered as he looked guiltily at Jun Xie.

When they thought back to the numerous times they had gossiped and pointed at Jun Xie behind his back, they were deeply ashamed of themselves and they were feeling extremely awkward to face Jun Xie again. But.....

Gu Li Sheng held Jun Xie in the highest regard and if Jun Xie held grudges against them, they wouldn't be able to survive in the Spirit Healer faculty thereafter.

All the disciples of the Spirit Healer faculty did not doubt for a moment, that if Jun Xie was to ask Gu Li Sheng to expel all of them out of the Spirit Healer faculty, Gu Li Sheng would not hesitate to do it in the slightest.

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Chapter 594:- Seventh Slap (1)

Even after knowing that Gu Li Sheng had been forced to accept them as disciples, the youths nevertheless still greatly cherished their identity as a disciple of the Spirit Healer faculty and would do anything to retain their positions.

They were very reluctant to lose them.

"Sor..... Sorry..... We were dumb and naive to have believed those baseless rumours. I hope you can find it within your generous heart to forgive people as despicable as us! Please forgive us all!" The youth formally took a ninety degree bow, pleading for Jun Xie's forgiveness.

The rest of the disciples behind him, all bowed as well.

Jun Wu Xie cast them a glance, and did not even say a single word, before she proceeded to continue walking away.

The bunch of youths waited a long while in their spots with their backs bent and did not get a reply. When they raised their heads, they found that Jun Xie had already walked out through the Spirit Healer faculty's main doors without giving them the least bit of attention! The world crashed down upon them at that moment, and they sobbed at the impending loss to come.

"What.... What should we do..... Does that mean he..... won't forgive us?" The youths huddled close together and cried, visualising the inevitable sorry scene of them being chased out of the Spirit Healer faculty.

Jun Wu Xie was completely oblivious to the indescribable bind the disciples were caught in and was already making her way back to the bamboo grove.

Along the way, countless pairs of eyes were trained on that slowly moving petite figure. Every single one of those gazes that fell upon Jun Wu Xie were no longer laced with contempt or mockery like before, but replaced with deep shame and a sense of fear.

When they see Jun Xie now, it invariably reminded them all of the shame they had felt that morning when Gu Li Sheng and Fan Qi had slapped them all with their admonishments, and none of them dared to take a single step to approach Jun Xie.

Hiding their faces from the shame they felt, the disciples slung away and hid like mice into corners. As for those disciples that happened to come face to face with Jun Xie, they found the strength suddenly leaving their legs when they saw the petite figure, trying their fastest to scramble out of his way.

Jun Wu Xie did not seem to notice, paying them no attention as she continued on her way to the bamboo grove.

In the bamboo grove, Fan Jin was excitedly recounting the morning's glorious events to Fan Zhuo. Fan Jin's face was flushed and his voice was exhilarated, how he wished was able to reenact the whole scene that played out at the square that morning.

Fan Zhuo smiled and did not say a word, but his eyes were lit, sparkling with joy.

"Hee hee..... You should have seen it. It was really most exhilarating! You remember that grumpy teacher, Qian Yuan He? The one in the Beast Spirit faculty? He had previously gone all around telling everyone about all of Jun Xie's faults. Today, Uncle Gu's words almost made him want to go smash his head on the wall to kill himself in shame, it made me so happy then..... Ha ha ha....." Fan Jin was getting more animated the further he narrated. He had suddenly brought two big jars of wine here to celebrate his good mood today on this rare occasion.

Besides Jun Wu Xie, the next person who was happiest about today's turn of events was inexorably Fan Jin.

In that gloomy period, Jun Xie had suffered the endless curses and got herself viciously sworn at. But on the other hand, Fan Jin, who had been the one who had given everything he had to protect Jun Wu Xie while being privy to the truth behind it all had had an extremely hard time holding it all in to the point of almost bursting.

"Little Xie, you're back!" The moment Fan Jin saw Jun Wu Xie come in, he jumped up excitedly and his tall and towering frame swayed and tilted from having stood up too suddenly. Fan Zhuo nimbly stretched out an arm to lend his brother some support.

Jun Wu Xie sat down at the table and looked at the slightly tipsy Fan Jin.

"Today, we really managed..... to make that bunch of bastards shut up, 'hic'....." Fan Jin managed to slur with a goofy grin as he fell back down onto his chair.

Fan Zhuo turned to Jun Xie and gave a helpless shrug.

Ever since Fan Jin had stepped in, he had not stopped talking, and neither had his wine cup, which had been barely seen parted from his lips, in an obvious display of his joyous mood today.

Jun Wu Xie and Fan Zhuo were non drinkers and they watched Fan Jin as he chugged down the two large jars. Soon, Fan Jin was roaringly drunk and he quickly fell face down on the table and slept snoring loudly.

"My Big Brother is feeling really happy today." Fan Zhuo smiled awkwardly as he looked at his completely drunk and unconscious elder sibling. But he knew in his heart, that his brother was genuinely happy today.

"I will need to leave for a period." Jun Wu Xie said suddenly.

Fan Zhuo was slightly taken aback by the sudden announcement.

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Chapter 595:- Seventh Slap (2)

"Ask Fan Jin to get dumb Qiao and the others to come over here tomorrow. If there is anything you want to know, you can ask them about it then." Jun Wu Xie said as she poured herself a cup of tea.

"You mean about the Rui Lin Army?" Fan Zhuo asked, with an inquisitive look on his face. He had earlier asked Jun Xie about his connection with the Rui Lin Army but the little rascal had been too lazy to explain it to him and pushed the topic away in a display of sheer laziness.

Jun Wu Xie nodded.

Fan Zhuo watched Jun Wu Xie intently, seemingly thoughtful before he asked: "The Rui Lin Army will arrive tomorrow, won't they?"

"Mmm." Jun Wu Xie nodded again.

The corners of Fan Zhuo's lips raised slightly. The Rui Lin Army will come here tomorrow, and Jun Xie was telling him he would need to be away for a period. The two seemingly separate events happening at the same time inevitably led Fan Zhuo to think there must be a link between them.

However, Jun Wu Xie still had no intentions of explaining any bit of it to Fan Zhuo and after she carelessly threw Fan Zhuo a few hasty words of farewell, she quickly left.

The distance from the Qi Kingdom to the Zephyr Academy wasn't too far away and the way they would take to come would invariably be through the main thoroughfare.

Long Qi was leading his team of Rui Lin Army soldiers, a grand and majestic procession, passing through the wide road, their shining silver armoured soldiers sitting tall upon great war horses. The grandiose air emanating from the contingent of battle hardened men made all the people that passed them on the road scramble out of their way in a hurry.

"Boss, Young Miss is really at the Zephyr Academy?" A soldier beside Long Qi asked, with deep longing showing in his eyes.

Long Qi cast a glance at the soldier, his gaze solemn.

"We are in no position to probe into the Your Miss' business."

The soldier shrank back, and nodded hurriedly. But a glint of anticipation nevertheless remained in his eyes.

As the contingent passed the main thoroughfare, the men from the Rui Lin Army had to enter a smaller path. Although narrower, the path stretched out, bathed in tranquility, albeit, a little windy. The smaller path allowed only three horses to march abreast, and dense trees lined both sides of the path. As it was already dusk, there were not much people seen on it.

Suddenly, a figure appeared on the path. From afar, the setting sun's rays lit in a radiant glow from behind the figure, masking the figure's face in shadows. The light of dusk showered the area around the figure from the back, creating a golden halo to surround him.

Long Qi frowned deeply, and gestured sharply with his hand. All his men immediately perked up, wary and alert.

However, when Long Qi led his men forward, he had just gotten closer to the figure when he suddenly swung off his steed in a hurry and fell quickly on one knee!

"Young Miss!"

.....

In the Zephyr Academy, one day had passed. The turmoil that had stirred up the Spirit Healer faculty had begun to subside. But the residual tremors had not yet completely stopped when another piece of earth splitting news hit, and quickly stirred up another storm that raged and tore throughout the entire academy once again.

Before the gates of the Zephyr Academy, hundreds of armoured soldiers, riding tall atop gallant war steeds, stood blocking the entire entryway. On the backs of the huge armoured war horses, were towering men, their faces hard as forged steel, the auras they gave out fiercely menacing. Their stalwart and straight backed poise, made all the disciples who had gathered behind the academy's gates, fear to take another step forward.

But, in the midst of the contingent of fearsome and intimidating group of soldiers, there was a lone figure that stood out different.

Dressed in pure white, her demure grace evident atop the high steed, her face flawlessly beautiful. All the Zephyr Academy's disciples gathered there, were suddenly bedazzled, without a single exception.

Within the Zephyr Academy, they had no lack of beautiful youths. But none could measure up to the girl sitting atop the handsome steed before their eyes.

The white dressed girl, looked to still be rather young. The mesmerizing aura surrounding her made people inexorably stunned by her beauty, but also drove an inexplicable fear into them of profaning the flawless beauty with their gaze. Her face was cold as frost and expressionless, her crystal clear eyes glinted with a chill. As she passed the crowd of disciples, those eyes did not fall a single moment, on any one of them.

Cold, chilly, and somehow terrifying.

"Who are these people?" A youth behind the gates whispered softly.

"It's the Rui Lin Army! The most ferocious strike force!" A sharp eyed youth pointed at the banners flapping in the wind and cried out softly.

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Chapter 596:- Seventh Slap (3)

The Qi Kingdom might just be a small nation, but the fame of the Rui Lin Army, was known far and wide throughout the lands!

Known to be the most ferocious strike force, they had appeared right before the gates of the Zephyr Academy. What could they be here for?

"When Senior Lu left, didn't he say..... Senior Ning..... had attempted to have..... some General from the Rui Lin Army..... killed?" A quick minded youth suddenly remembered what Lu Wei Jie had claimed, just before he left.

On the day when Lu Wei Jie had been chased out of the Zephyr Academy, what he said then before his departure had kicked up a huge storm and it had dragged Ning Xin's reputation into the mud then. But the news that Jun Xie had murdered Li Zi Mu quickly overshadowed the accusations thrown at Ning Xin and they were slowly forgotten. With the Rui Lin Army appearing in such a grand fashion before the Zephyr Academy's gates, the matter that had almost faded from their memories quickly reignited and the rumour mill started whirring furiously once again, kicked into high gear.

[Does this mean that everything Lu Wei Jie said was the truth?]

Fan Qi hurried over to the main gates shortly after. When he saw the grand formation of the Rui Lin Army, a shock went through his body and his heart beat furiously.

Among the gathered mass of towering, proud, and stalwart warriors, Fan Qi could not help but notice a figure that looked totally different in contrast, a young girl seated high upon a warhorse in the front beside Long Qi, who commanded an unnaturally overwhelming presence. Her identity was most definitely someone extraordinary!

"I was not aware of General Long Qi's arrival and I hope you'll excuse my tardiness in my welcome. I would implore our respected guests to come in for a chat." Fan Qi was trying his hardest to put forth a composed front. Since the last Spirit Hunt had ended, he had known that this dreadful day would come. The reason he had agreed to expel Lu Wei Jie and the others in such a hasty manner before was an attempt to appease the Rui Lin Army's and Mu Chen's rage.

Long Qi nodded and raised a hand up. More than a hundred soldiers behind him immediately pulled on their reins and all the warhorses stood rigidly still.

That precision and uniformity in the movements of the soldiers made all the eyes of the gathered disciples light up in awe, and their heartbeats reached a fervor, their blood coming to a boil.

The disciples were at that age where their youthful exuberance were at their peaks. Which youth among those disciples wouldn't idolise such an impressive array of fully armored soldiers?

Long Qi swung himself off his horse and extended his hands out to help the petite young girl beside him get off the tall horse.

"And this would be......" Fan Qi looked at the beautiful but cold young lady, and said cautiously.

"The Young Miss of the Lin Palace, Jun Wu Xie." Long Qi straightened his back upright and replied in a grand voice.

[It's the Young Miss of the Lin Palace!]

Fan Qi's forced facade of composure cracked slightly in his shock. The Rui Lin Army were subservient only to the Qi Kingdom's Duke, Jun Xian. The Imperial Emperor held no authority over the Rui Lin Army and they only took orders from people from the Jun Family's bloodline. Jun Wu Xie might still be rather young, and on top of that, she was a girl. But just the character "Jun" in her name, was telling Fan Qi undeniably, that she held the authority to command the Rui Lin Army here!

He had actually intended to downplay the entire matter but Fan Qi could not help it but start to become rather worried now. When even a family member of the Jun Family itself had come all the way here, it was inadvertently telling him that the matter would not be so easily resolved!

All the disciples who were watching intently from behind, had upon hearing Long Qi's words, suddenly found themselves staring wide eyed, at the beautiful and mesmerising girl, who seemed slightly younger than all of them, with surprise in their eyes.

She was obviously so young, but the aura emanating from the girl made people forget her age. Even when she stood among the towering and menacing Rui Lin Army, she did not show a single trace of weakness. Her chilly expression did not allow anyone to disregard her overwhelming presence.

It made her seem as if she had been born, to lead this most ferocious strike force, from the start!

All the disciples were still very much taken by the beautiful young lady and they did not dare defile that perfection in anyway. They lowered down their heads and did not dare to stare so obsequiously at Jun Wu Xie.

"So it's the Young Miss of the esteemed Jun Family, forgive me for my tardiness in coming forward to receive such a distinguished guest." Fan Qi said with an awkward smile, the shock still gripping his heart.

Jun Wu Xie shot Fan Qi a scathing glance and replied: "There's no need. I am here today to demand justice for our Rui Lin Army. The Zephyr Academy promised to provide to my Rui Lin Army with a satisfactory response. What I would like to know is whether the Headmaster has already expedited an appropriate recourse for the matter?"

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Chapter 597:- Seventh Slap (4)

To resolve the matter privately?

Sorry, she was not prepared to close the matter in such a quiet manner.

Anybody who dared to lay their grimy paws on the Rui Lin Army, would need to pay for it with their lives!

Fan Qi could not find any words in reply to Jun Wu Xie. He had initially intended to resolve the issue privately and not let word of the incident spread, as if the matter was leaked, it would deal a considerable blow to the reputation of the Zephyr Academy. Unfortunately..... the other party was not giving him any opportunity to do it.

Faced with Jun Wu Xie's aggressive stance, Fan Qi found himself helpless in front of her.

More than a hundred Rui Lin Army soldiers were still lined up before the Zephyr Academy's gates, all of them standing at attention with a hand resting upon the swords hanging from their hips, looking ever ready to pull out those swords and charge in at the first instance that Fan Qi responded in defiance.

Although the Zephyr Academy was extremely famous and enjoyed a high reputation, it was after all still an institution specifically meant for the pursuit of knowledge and learning. In terms of might in battle, they would not be able to stand up to the Rui Lin Army.

Despite having just brought a mere hundred odd Rui Lin Army soldiers, if they wanted to annihilate the Zephyr Academy, it wouldn't be a task too difficult for these battle hardened men.

Cold sweat broke out on Fan Qi's forehead. He really had not expected for a young girl at such a tender age, to be able give out such a strong oppressive aura onto people.

"Since that is the case..... We will do as Miss Jun wishes." Fan Qi had no other choice, but to agree to it.

Jun Wu Xie raised an eyebrow, and stared at Fan Qi, who was showing his willingness to shoulder the blame entirely himself, and said: "Then, can I request for the Headmaster to summon all those people who were party to the incident here, and we can clear everything up frankly and openly immediately."

Fan Qi found himself sweating profusely and he said:

"In regards to the incident, it was due to the Zephyr Academy's incompetence in our guidance of our disciples, that had caused such an atrocity to occur. Those disciples who played a part in it had immediately been expelled and driven out of the Zephyr Academy after the Spirit Hunt ended."

"Oh?" Jun Wu Xie's eyes narrowly dangerously.

"Are you telling me, that Nangong Xu, who was put in charge of the Spirit Hunt has been sacked by you as well?"

Fan Qi was taken aback, and he quickly shook his head.

"Master Nangong did not play a part in it, he was only....."

Long Qi stepped forward, and his expression darkened before he said: "Our Young Miss' words were already put across very clearly. If the Headmaster is not sincere in resolving the issue, then the Rui Lin Army will be forced to take things into our own hands."

When Long Qi finished his statement, the colour on Fan Qi's face immediately changed.

The meaning behind those words could not be any clearer. If Fan Qi did not summon the people linked to the incident here, Long Qi would lead his men from the Rui Lin Army into the academy and personally "invite' those people here.

"No..... No need. I will have them brought here." Fan Qi was on the verge of tears. Having held the post of Headmaster for such a long time, this was the first time anyone had forced him into a corner like this.

But, in this incident, they were fundamentally at fault, and even if the Rui Lin Army were to really carry out their threat, the Zephyr Academy would not have much grounds to say anything against it.

In moments, Nangong Xu came, having rushed over in a hurry. The moment his eyes picked out the figure of Long Qi, the expression on Nangong Xu's face was suddenly tinged with shame.

"General Long Qi." Nangong Xu greeted Long Qi with a forced smile.

Long Qi completely ignored him but continued looking at Jun Wu Xie to await further instructions.

Jun Wu Xie gestured slightly by raising her hand slightly. Long Qi immediately turned around and glared chillingly at Fan Qi.

"Esteemed Headmaster. You really think the Rui Lin Army would be so easily fooled?"

Fan Qi had almost wanted to kneel down before Long Qi. He genuinely did not know what he had done wrong this time, to have caused Jun Wu Xie to be displeased.

He finally understood now. Long Qi, who was standing before him might be a General of the Rui Lin Army. But within this contingent of soldiers here, the one who really made the decisions was the youngest Jun Wu Xie, and even Long Qi, deferred to Jun Wu Xie's commands.

"May I ask General Long Qi to point me in the right direction? I am truly unable to comprehend what the Young Miss meant." Finding himself so badly cornered by a young lass, Fan Qi was suddenly feeling he had lived in vain.

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Chapter 598:- Seventh Slap (5)

Long Qi replied stoically: "All persons who took part in the deed, and all who had a part in handling the issue. Would the Headmaster please gather all of these people here?"

Fan Qi finally understood. Being put under great duress to quickly proceed, he dared not negotiate at all and immediately sent people out to locate all the personnels involved.

The crowd which had gathered to see what was going on grew larger and larger. Everyone was drawn to but was kept at arm's length by Jun Wu Xie's and Long Qi's dominating presence. Even the highly revered and esteemed Headmaster, who stood at the pinnacle within the Zephyr Academy was cornered into helpless submission when faced with these two individuals.

Nangong Xu was well known to be stoned faced in the Zephyr Academy, unsmiling and unapproachable, and ordinary disciples usually don't even have the courage to speak to him.

But now, Nangong Xu was not only smiling, he was positively beaming in fact, falling to a new low, never seen before by any of the disciples!

Witnessing Fan Qi's and Nangong Xu's subservient attitudes told the disciples a lot about the Rui Lin Army's prowess.

Very soon, all the people who were linked to the issue were brought in one after another.

When the Zephyr Academy's disciples saw the people who were brought here, they were all suddenly shocked.

Among them, not just the teachers who were in charge of safety during the Spirit Hunt were summoned, but even Ning Xin, Yin Yan, Fan Jin and even the Vice Headmaster were brought in together!

What a grand gathering of elites!

"Besides those people who had been expelled, another four disciples from the branch division are currently making their way over here. There is another disciple..... who is not within the academy at the moment." Fan Qi tried to explain, as he wiped off the sweat from his brow. The person who was missing, was Jun Xie whom Gu Li Sheng had officially accepted just yesterday. But when he had sent people over to locate him, those people had come back with the news that Jun Xie had gotten leave from Gu Li Sheng and was not in the academy today.

Long Qi did not answer Fan Qi immediately but paused and looked at Jun Wu Xie. And after Jun Wu Xie nodded satisfactorily, Long Qi finally turned to Fan Qi and said: "This will do."

Fan Qi secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Ning Xin's face was pale, and her eyes were not entirely focused. She allowed herself to be led by Yin Yan, to stand among the group. Looking at the state she was in, it was obvious that she had not yet recovered from the trauma she suffered yesterday and she was still forced to come. Still feeling like her strength had been completely sapped, she raised her eyes to look before her. When her eyes saw the figure of Long Qi, her heart jumped.

The Rui Lin Army really came here!?

Ning Xin subconsciously turned to look at Ning Rui as the fear spread quickly throughout her body. She had thought that the matter would be resolved as her father had planned and she did not expect that she would be brought here.

Ning Rui gave Ning Xin a reassuring gaze and that helped Ning Xin relax a little.

"Se..... Senior Ning..... What..... What should we do now?" Yin Yan was so terrified he felt his legs had turned to jelly.

"What are you afraid of? With my father here, there is nothing to fear. Lu Wei Jie and the others were already made scapegoats and they had taken the blame. The Rui Lin Army will never take it out on two young juniors like us."

"But..... but....."

"There are no buts! The Headmaster is close to my father and he will surely speak up for us. The Rui Lin Army might be powerful, but the Qi Kingdom is still a tiny nation. Do I need to remind you that countless numbers of disciples had studied under my father and the Headmaster and those disciples have moved on to serve many powerful countries throughout the lands. Even if the Rui Lin Army decides to disregard the Zephyr Academy's reputation, they must at least consider the Headmaster's and my father's disciples. It is definitely not to their advantage If they insist on pursuing the issue." Ning Xin said through narrow eyes, seemingly trying to reassure Yin Yan, but it was more like she was trying to reassure herself.

Ning Xin was actually right in her analysis. Just the Zephyr Academy alone might not count for much, but all the disciples that had once received Fan Qi's and Ning Rui's tutelage in the past would now be serving the various mighty powers in every corner of the lands. If their Masters were seen to have been bullied or humiliated, those disciples who had once belonged to the Zephyr Academy would definitely defend their Masters.

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Chapter 599:- Seventh Slap (6)

After hearing Ning Xin's words, Yin Yan was able to breathe a little better. He carefully supported Ning Xin who was still feeling a little weak, and they stood obediently with the crowd.

"Who is that young lady?" Ning Xin asked, looking at Jun Wu Xie in the distance, standing right beside Long Qi.

Jun Wu Xie's flawless face with her unmatchable beauty immediately stung Ning Xin's eyes the moment she spotted Jun Wu Xie.

Having always been proud of her own looks, Ning Xin was suddenly feeling rather inferior before Jun Wu Xie.

In terms of both looks and grace, she could not help but feel Jun Wu Xie had the upper hand in both of those areas!

Nevertheless, Yin Yan shook his head. He had never seen Jun Wu Xie before.

"This gentleman here is our Zephyr Academy's Vice Headmaster, Ning Rui." Fan Qi introduced Ning Rui with an awkward laugh as he pulled his fellow disciple out from the crowd to come before Jun Wu Xie and Long Qi, where he said to Ning Rui: "And here are our two distinguished visitors. This gentleman here is Long Qi, a general with the Rui Lin Army, and the lady here is the Young Miss of the Lin Palace, Jun Wu Xie."

Ning Rui was inwardly shocked, and he quickly hid the surprise in his eyes as he greeted the guests.

A distance away, Fan Qi's formal introduction had caused a particular person's eyes to widen with alarm.

When Fan Jin received the summons, he had just awoken from his drunken stupor and his mind was still rather groggy and he was still barely conscious as he was being dragged here. Before he could figure out what was really going on, his ears had suddenly heard the words "the Young Miss of the Lin Palace, Jun Wu Xie". That had startled him and he raised his head immediately to take a clear look at the young girl beside Long Qi.

It was just one gaze, and Fan Jin found that he could not take his eyes off what he saw.

The sun's rays were shining upon the unbelievably beautiful girl, its soft slight seemingly enveloping the figure in a warm golden glow. Her long hair was dark as ink, as strands of coloured silk ribbons weaved among those luxurious tassels, falling lightly upon her back. Her skin was snowy white, aglow with a faintly pinkish tinge. On that exquisite little face, he could almost feel the frosty chill, obviously expressing unapproachability, that made people stay away.

That one unintentional peek, made Fan Jin unable to ever erase this mesmerising image from his mind. In the future, even with the long grinding passage of time, he had not able to wipe away this scene he witnessed today, which would stay fresh in his mind.

That was Jun Xie.....

Fan Jin heart shook. The features on that face were completely different, but the chilling frost that showed in those eyes were nevertheless so familiar to him.

He had known that Jun Wu Xie was a girl, but he had never for a moment thought that her real appearance would be so astounding.

He finally understood why the men from the Rui Lin Army had disregarded Ning Rui's beauteous looks. When before Jun Wu Xie, Ning Xin's bit of beauty would be just like a withered flower that had fallen to the ground, becoming not even worth mentioning.

Fan Jin stood rooted to the ground, and he could not recover from his shock for a long while.

"Basically everyone who had been involved are already here. We have discussed about the matter and we have taken the necessary actions. I wonder if this is to Miss Jun's satisfaction?" Fan Qi said carefully, looking anxiously at Jun Wu Xie. The girl was obviously younger than both his sons, but she somehow made Fan Qi extremely tensed.

"Dare I ask, what actions did the distinguished academy take?" Jun Wu Xie asked, completely unmoved.

"Cough..... Together with their leader, Lu Wei Jie, the guilty bunch of disciples have been driven out from the Zephyr Academy and never allowed to return. And I have already stated formally to other academies, and written a scathing critique of their undesirable traits and character. I believe that will teach them a good lesson." Fan Qi reported honestly.

One of Jun Wu Xie's eyebrow raised, and the corners of her mouth hinted of a sneer.

"And that is what the Headmaster deems appropriate?"

Fan Qi gulped, and hesitated a moment before he nodded.

Jun Wu Xie gave out a chilling laugh and said: "Disciples from your distinguished academy attempted to murder our men from the Rui Lin Army and the Cloud Treading Peak. Your distinguished academy promised us then that your disciples would be brought back and properly dealt with, and promised that we would be satisfied with it. But now that the academy has gone back on their word, would you like to take a guess whether I am satisfied?"

Jun Wu Xie's tone when she spoke had always been cold. And now, the chill in her voice was even colder and more intense which made everyone there shudder suddenly.

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Chapter 600:- Seventh Slap (7)

"What did we do that caused you to feel that we have gone back on our word?" Fan Qi wiped at his brow once again that was sweating profusely.

Jun Wu Xie's frosty eyes swept over the gathered crowd without giving Fan Qi a single word of reply when her gaze suddenly stopped, fixed on a person among the mass of disciples.

"Long Qi."

"Your subordinate awaits your orders."

"Go."

"Yes!"

Long Qi clean and clear voice had barely faded when his towering frame had already whizzed like a whirlwind, and shot himself right into the crowd. A series of surprised shrieks ensued, and quick as lightning, Long Qi grabbed two people from among the disciples and whizzed back to come before Jun Wu Xie once again!

Two wailing cries sounded suddenly. The two people found themselves being carelessly thrown before Jun Wu Xie's feet, and they started trembling uncontrollably.

The two figures who were thrown like rag dolls onto the ground were in fact Ning Xin and Yin Yan. Never did they for a moment think that they would be picked out by Long Qi himself and thrown into such a humiliating position under the watchful eyes of all the other gathered disciples.

When Ning Rui saw that his daughter was treated in such a manner, his face immediately changed and he stepped up at once.

"Miss Jun, what is the meaning of this?"

Jun Wu Xie's mouth curled up with a hint of a sneer and said: "What do I mean? Isn't it just too painfully obvious? The few of you just decided on your own that by expelling a few disciples, the matter would then be resolved? And you are still blatantly hiding the real mastermind behind this whole plot right here. What? Do you really think that just because our Rui Lin Army is from the faraway Qi Kingdom, you can just brush the whole matter off so easily?"

As she spoke, Jun Wu Xie bent down and grabbed a whole bunch of Ning Xin's hair and gave a sharp tug as she straightened up.

The sharp searing pain that tore through her scalp made Ning Xin scream and wail pitifully. Yin Yan who was right beside her was crying from fear as he curled up and made himself appear as small as possible, tears and mucus flowing down his face.

"Stop!" Seeing his only daughter mistreated in such a manner by Jun Wu Xie, Ning Rui's eyes were aflame.

"Stop?" Jun Wu Xie gave out a chilling laugh. "I gave all of you a chance. If all of you had handled the matter fairly and impartially, I would not have pursued the matter. But it is clear that only the accomplices were dealt with and the mastermind behind all of it hidden and concealed, to cover up the truth. Do you need me to remind you? The two culprits ultimately guilty of deliberately luring in a Guardian Grade Spirit Beast in an attempt to murder the members of the Rui Lin Army and the Cloud Treading Peak are these two people still right here. Is this the reply you are giving us?"

Upon hearing Jun Wu Xie's words, a uproar erupted from the crowd all around them.

Those words that Lu Wei Jie had said when he left had inexorably planted a seed of suspicion in all the disciples' hearts then, and everything that Jun Wu Xie said today had just reaffirmed Ning Xin's and Yin Yan's crimes from suspicions to fact!

Yin Yan and Ning Xin had belonged to the same team as Lu Wei Jie during the Spirit Hunt. While every single member of that team with the exception of these two, had all been expelled and driven out of the Zephyr Academy, who still remained here, made the circumstances surrounding the matter deeply suspicious.

"Miss Jun must have misunderstood. The matter has nothing to do with these two people. It was all Lu Wei Jie's doing." Ning Rui said, trying very hard to suppress the rage welling up within.

Ning Xin's hands were clasped over her head and trembling like a quail hatching, and she rushed to parrot what Ning Rui said.

"It was Lu Wei Jie! Lu Wei Jie did it all! I have nothing to do with it!"

"Oh?" Jun Wu Xie tugged sharply with her hand. Ning Xin was screaming so badly she could not say another word.

"If I remember it correctly, this lady here is the only daughter of the Zephyr Academy's Vice Headmaster, am I right? And the other one groveling on the floor there would be her sidekick. The words the Zephyr Academy are telling us might sound very nice and pleasing, but in reality, aren't you all showing yourselves to be just as capable of abusing your powers and position to protect your personal interests? Nangong Xu, get your sorry self right here this instant!"

Jun Wu Xie demanded loudly in a chilling tone.

Even Nangong Xu was shocked and he hurriedly stepped forward.

"You knew exactly what transpired that day, tell it to your Vice Headmaster, what exactly happened then." Jun Wu Xie sneered.

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