Chapter Thirty-Nine: Arrogance—What Can You Do About It?

"Where is my Zhi Sha? Zhi Sha!"
"Oh heavens, so much blood! Someone, help! Ah, my Zhi Sha is so kind-hearted, she’s never done anything wrong. Why would the heavens treat her like this?"
"Is that really our Zhi Sha? No, it can't be. Our Zhi Sha is the number one genius! Did she lose? Does that mean the first prize is lost too? Is her Thunder Meridian still intact?"

Among the Yu family members, the bearded elder and a middle-aged woman had already rushed forward in grief. Many members of the Yu family hurriedly lifted the unconscious Yu Zhi Sha, some leaving swiftly with her, but the bearded elder and the middle-aged woman remained behind.

Su Ye stood quietly, making no move to stop them. After all, this was modern society, and they were at school in front of so many teachers and students. He couldn’t simply kill Yu Zhi Sha in broad daylight. Besides, letting her live was more satisfying than killing her! For the rest of her life, Yu Zhi Sha would understand what it meant to be useless, suffering torment beyond death itself.

"Third Grandpa, Aunt, it was him! This little beast Su Ye ripped out Zhi Sha’s Thunder Meridian! You must avenge our Yu family!"
Yu Wenhuan, finally finding his support, rushed toward the bearded elder and added oil to the flames with his words.

"Wretched thing! You are inhuman, a murderer who must pay with your life!" The bearded elder clenched his fist, and with a bang, streams of energy radiated outward.

Those nearby immediately drew back. The release of such energy meant the bearded elder had reached the 'Qi Gathering' stage. Killing Su Ye, who was only at the Acupoint Foundation stage, would be all too easy for him.

At this moment, Jiang Liuying knew she couldn’t remain behind. She leaped onto the stage, followed by several Jiang family members. Tension filled the air, and a bloody battle could erupt at any moment.

Seeing this, the Yu family matron wailed in anguish: "You beasts, and all you bystanders—how can you be so cold? What did my Zhi Sha do wrong? Such a good girl, ruined by Su Ye, destroyed—everything destroyed! And you just stand there, unmoved. Help me! Seize this murderer, drive out all the Jiang family too!"

The entire hall fell into chaos, but not a soul stepped forward.

Su Ye let out a cold laugh and barked, "You wretched woman! Have you said enough?"

"What? You little beast, did your family teach you nothing? How dare you insult me! Did everyone hear that? The murderer is still at large!" the Yu matron screeched.

"Shut up! How many evil deeds has your Yu family committed? Do you truly not know? Yu Zhi Sha stole my Thunder Meridian and nearly took my life. The fact that I didn’t kill her today is the greatest mercy! And you still have the gall to speak of her innocence? Your Yu family dares to bluster here? Call out your head of the family—didn’t he want me dead as well? I haven’t yet settled the old score with him!"

When Su Ye finished, his furious gaze swept over the Yu clan.

He was certain the Yu family wouldn’t dare make a move here! And those so-called loyal and filial families who supported the Yu clan wouldn’t dare either; all of them valued their interests above all else.

In the past, they had the number one genius, Yu Zhi Sha, but now she was gone! On the contrary, having defeated her, Su Ye would attract countless other families eager to curry favor.

Sure enough, Ning Shuang, who had not appeared for some time, stepped forward.

She emerged from the crowd, as always accompanied by Principal Luo.

"Yu Bo, this is Lingqi School. A minor accident in a student challenge, and you come here to kill? What nerve! Are you disregarding our Ning family, or ignoring the rules of the Lingqi School Bureau? I’d like to see which family dares to stir up trouble here today!"

"Ning Shuang, you—you’re shielding him?" Yu Bo’s beard trembled with rage.

Ning Shuang’s demeanor sharpened as she barked, "In front of everyone, who am I shielding? I’m just following school bureau protocol! I know the means of your Yu family, but let me remind you, this challenge is under the special supervision of the 'Yangcheng Martial Alliance!' Yu family, try hurting any contestant and see what happens!"

At the mention of the Martial Alliance, the Yu clan members’ faces instantly changed.

In fact, many major families had sent their juniors today, but their elders stayed away—not because they believed in their juniors’ strength, but because they feared the Martial Alliance.

Which family would dare be the first to break the rules? There had been families destroyed by the Martial Alliance before.

A dead silence fell over the hall. Though tension hung thick, a fight was no longer possible.

Yu Bo gritted his teeth, pointing viciously at Su Ye: "Fine! You dare challenge our Yu family. We spared your life once before, but this time, no more! Let’s see how long you can hide!"

Yu Wenhuan was equally incensed, shouting, "You little beast! If it weren’t for the Jiang family sheltering you, you’d be dead by now! Just wait until you fall into my hands—let’s see how long you can keep this arrogance!"

"Oh? Arrogant I may be—what can you do about it?"

With a cold snort, Su Ye suddenly leaped from the stage, landing right in the midst of the Yu family! His abrupt move startled them, and they quickly backed away, knowing that to act now would be a blatant violation of Martial Alliance rules.

Whoosh—

Su Ye landed before Yu Wenhuan and, without hesitation, slapped him across the face.

Smack!!

A slap, right in front of everyone! Yu Bo, the family matron, and all the other Yu family members—at least twenty in all—stood behind Yu Wenhuan.

No one had expected Su Ye to have the audacity to strike Yu Wenhuan in public.

"You—you dare hit me…" Yu Wenhuan, completely unprepared, was stunned, feeling his face swell before erupting in rage.

"And what if I slap you again?"

Smack!!

Another resounding slap sent Yu Wenhuan, with all his cultivation, flying.

At once, the Yu family surged forward.

But seeing Su Ye’s unflinching defiance, Yu Bo forcibly held his clansmen back, shouting, "Stand down—all of you! Don’t fall for his trap. He’s trying to force our Yu family to oppose the Martial Alliance! Don’t be fooled!"

Yu Wenhuan struggled up from the ground, nearly driven mad. Surrounded by so many Yu family members, not one gave him the slightest sense of safety. He’d just been slapped twice, savagely.

He had learned his lesson, though, and quickly retreated to the back of the group, no longer daring to act arrogantly in front.

"The Yu family? Hmph—"

Su Ye snorted disdainfully, though his eyes briefly flashed with regret. If only the Yu family had really made a move, everyone would have blamed them in the end.

After all, they were the ones who had stormed into the school; few other families were present. Who would have imagined that the wily old Yu Bo would see through it all at once?

The students and teachers, seeing Su Ye so brazen, slapping Yu Wenhuan in public and suffering no consequences, were all trembling in fear—especially those who had previously taunted Su Ye, like Song Dahai and Jiang Chengzhi. Now, they didn’t even dare meet Su Ye’s gaze, hiding themselves away for fear of being singled out.

They were now filled with regret, certain that Su Ye would repay their past insults tenfold.

Su Ye leaped back onto the stage, swept his gaze around, and called out, "Having challenged Yu Zhi Sha, I now hold first place. Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?"

Only then did the students slowly come to their senses. If Su Ye hadn’t spoken up, they would have forgotten this was a challenge tournament at all.

Principal Luo, forcing a smile, said, "Student Su Ye, your valor is unmatched—you are already first! Who would dare challenge you now? Ha ha, come, let me personally present your award!"

Sweat beaded on Principal Luo’s forehead. He only hoped this would end soon; if Su Ye kept stirring up trouble, his school would never know peace.

Su Ye suddenly turned his gaze to Cai Weisong, lurking off to the side. The fat man’s face had gone deathly pale.

As Su Ye looked at him, Cai Weisong shuddered as though his tail had been stepped on. Forcing a smile, he fawned, "Yes, Su Ye, you’re already number one, number one!"

Su Ye sneered, "Principal Luo, there’s no need for you to present any award! Though I took first place, I’m not even a student of Yangcheng No. 1 High! I was expelled by you!"

At this, Cai Weisong’s legs gave out and he nearly collapsed, muttering, "It’s over, it’s all over…"

Principal Luo knew Su Ye’s worth. He immediately straightened and declared, "That was a terrible mistake! To expel a student like Su Ye—hmph! I will now restore your enrollment and welcome you back to school!"

"If you want me back, fine. But some instructors, blinded by greed—how do you intend to deal with them?" Su Ye fixed a cold stare on Cai Weisong.

"Of course there will be consequences! Cai Weisong and the director will never again serve as instructors at our school! I hereby dismiss both of them, never to be rehired!"