AGM 0062 – Ren Qianxing
Qin Wentian indifferently left after he tore apart the ranks of members from the Knight’s Association and killed the previous ranked number one, Murong Feng.
The members of Greencloud Association also dispersed as Luo Huan spoke to Orchon, “The conclusion of the battle, I believe you don’t need me to point it out anymore. Where’s the 200 Yuan Meteor Stones that the Knight’s Association wagered?”
“What wager?” Orchon coldly exclaimed, “Qin Wentian killed his fellow student, and yet you still expect to be paid? Just wait for the Disciplinary Committee’s response.”
“Hmm, I clearly remember that before the fight, Murong Feng and Du Hao clearly stated that if they died, it only meant that they were incompetent and that there wouldn’t be a need for the academy to take action. These words was clearly heard by all the Elders of the academy who were there earlier. I believe that even you yourself was there as well.” Luo Huan laughed as she continued, “But of course, if the Knight’s Association wishes to deny it, our Greencloud Association will have nothing to say except that the lesson that was taught to your association was suitably satisfying.”
After saying this, Luo Huan left with the remaining Greencloud Association’s members. Despite of the victory, Luo Huan could not help but feel a trace of worry in her heart. That little fellow actually dared to so brazenly kill a peak-level genius like Murong Feng. She had no idea what sort of response the Academy was going to have.
Qin Wentian didn’t burdened himself with thoughts about what could be or could’ve been. After all, he was just a 16 year-old youth, and when he saw that Fatty got injured for trying to save him, he already lost all rationale and only wanted the death of Murong Feng. He obviously succeeded.
After that, Qin Wentian handed Fan Le to Mustang. Murong Feng’s blow possessed an extremely ferocious might. Even though Fan Le blocked part of it, he had still been grievously injured
Qin Wentian also left with Mustang, following Mustang to his residence. At this moment, Qin Wentian sat down cross-leggedly in the training courtyard, deep in mediation. The terrifying remnants of energy was circulating around his entire body, seeking to devour his inner organs. This caused the exterior of his body to be swollen red, as though he was bathed in a strong sheen of bloody radiance. The remnants of energy were too tyrannical in nature. Currently, his body had no way to continue withstanding that excessive energy.
“Before stepping into Yuanfu, one must not rashly use this needle technique.” Qin Wentian recalled Uncle Black’s instructions as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood before fainting into the merciful arms of unconsciousness.
Although Qin Wentian had fainted, the repercussive winds of this incident were not yet settled. The matter was still under intense discussion, and Elder Thousand-Hands was under great pressure. He had no choice but to seek Mustang out, wanting to take Qin Wentian away.
Two days later, after Qin Wentian woke up from his coma, his entire body was in so much pain, as though it was going to disintegrate into dust at any given moment.
Forcibly sitting up, he saw Mustang standing there with his back facing Qin Wentian.
“Teacher.” Qin Wentian called out. Mustang turned his head as his visage broke out into a smile. “You’ve finally awakened. You worrisome fellow, don’t use such an unstable technique anymore in the future. Your body is unable to withstand the immense influx of energy, and if it weren’t for the timely assistance of precious medicinal pills suppressing the excess energy, your body would probably implode.”
“Right.” Qin Wentian nodded his head, “Thank you for saving me, Teacher. How are Fan Le’s injuries? Is he okay?”
“He is fine, nothing too major when compared to your injuries.” Mustang shook his head, “This fellow…you should be worrying for yourself instead. Janus and his group started putting pressure on the academy, and there are several who wanted you to be punished.”
Upon hearing that Fatty was fine, traces of a smile broke out on his face as the lines of worry smoothed over. Regarding the issue of the discipline handed to him by the academy, he didn’t even regard it as something important.
Looking at the smile on Qin Wentian’s face, Mustang couldn’t help but to roll his eyes, “Can’t you be more worried about this?”
“Worrying isn’t going to be of any use. Since the deed is already done, I will admit it and face any consequences or repercussions that come my way.” Qin Wentian shrugged his shoulders.
“Beautifully spoken! I hope you won’t shrink back from what you said.” At this moment, a cold sounding voice drifted over as several figures walked in.
Qin Wentian contemplated his surroundings. He was in the disciplinary court of the Disciplinary Committee.
Very swiftly, Qin Wentian quickly analysed the situation. The people currently in this court could be categorised into three groups of people. Janus and his group, Mustang and a few other elders, and Elder Thousand-Hands and two others from the Disciplinary Committee.
Naturally, this was all orchestrated by Janus and his group, which had been applying pressure on the academy.
“Killing his fellow students twice! Not only that, this time around, Murong Feng was a peak-level genius, while Du Hao was grievously injured. Qin Wentian’s nature is incorrigible and ruthless. Either we cripple him or we expel him from the academy. Leaving him here would only endanger the other students.” Janus stated coldly, pushing Qin Wentian to the edge of a precipice.
“For the first incident, investigations have already shown clearly that it was Orfon who wanted to harm both of them in the Dark Forest. The battle between them was ruled to be a private battle, and Qin Wentian has already been cleared of all charges by the academy. For the second incident, Murong Feng and Du Hao consumed forbidden medicine to forcibly heighten their combat abilities. If they did that merely for the sake of victory, we can forget about it. But from the injuries that Fan Le sustained? It’s obvious that both of them wanted to use this chance to either kill or maim their fellow students. Tell me now, using your intelligent mind, was Qin Wentian wrong in what he did?”
Mustang glared at Janus with a chill in his eyes, refuting his claims.
“What about the fact that he showed disrespect to his Elders and even verbally threatened them? Such a unruly student, why are we even teaching him?” Janus retorted just as coldly.
“You, teach me?” Qin Wentian laughed as he looked to Janus, causing Janus’s facial expression to stiffen.
“Am I very familiar with you?” Qin Wentian continued, “You blatantly closed one eye and allowed your students to attempt to kill me. Not only that, you tried several ways to get the academy to punish me. But now, you still want me to respect you? You old bastard, such a thick skin. Don’t you know that respect is earned and not given freely?”
It was just as Qin Wentian had said. Since Janus wanted to deal with him, why should he still be polite with Janus?
“Elder Thousand-Hands, did you hear what he just said?” Janus coldly snorted.
Elder Thousand-Hands and the two other Elders studied Qin Wentian. One of the elders standing beside Qin Wentian asked. “If you are stronger than Janus, and if he blocked you when you intended to kill Murong Feng, would you kill him?”
“I would.” Qin Wentian replied with no hesitation, causing Janus’s countenance to turn extremely unsightly.
“Why?” That person further questioned.
“Murong Feng heavily injured my brother. Whoever chooses to block me for Murong Feng’s sake is my enemy.” An expression of resolute determination could be seen on his face.
That Elder nodded his head before he turned his gaze to Elder Thousand-Hands.
Thousand-Hands swept his gaze across everyone as he exclaimed. “All of you are no longer needed here. This is a matter for my Disciplinary Committee now.”
“What will the decision of the Disciplinary Committee be?” Janus inquired.
“That is none of your business. You can leave now.” Elder Thousand-Hands indifferently exclaimed causing Janus to furrow his brows. From the tone of Elder Thousand-Hands, Janus felt that it was highly possible that they wouldn’t do anything too drastic to Qin Wentian.
“I hope the Disciplinary Committee can give us a satisfactory reply.” Janus frowned, as he departed, full of unwillingness.
Mustang patted Qin Wentian on his shoulders as he, too, left the area. Like Janus, he believed that the Disciplinary Committee would not drastic to a genius of Qin Wentian’s caliber. At the very least, it was impossible for the Emperor Star Academy to expel him.
After everyone had departed, Elder Thousand-Hands instructed Qin Wentian, “Follow me.”
After saying this, he leisurely walked outside of the courtyard. Qin Wentian obediently followed without asking many questions.
After they walked out of the courtyard, Qin Wentian could see that the disciplinary hall was situated in front of a mountain. Thousand-Hands led the way, moving up the mountains and finally arrived at another courtyard. This courtyard was situated at the peak of the mountain and was built on the edge of the precipice. One could see the entire Emperor Star Academy from this vantage point.
At this moment, at that vantage point, a figure with both hands clasped around his back was gazing downwards at the entire Emperor Star Academy.
“Qin Wentian is here.” Thousand-Hands respectfully said to the figure as hints of reverence could be seen from his eyes.
“Little friend, come over here.” That figure remained with his back facing Qin Wentian as he calmly instructed.
Qin Wentian gazed questioningly at Thousand-Hands, only to see Thousand-Hands smiling as he replied, “Little brother, your luck is not bad at all.”
After that, Thousand-Hands turned and departed. His mission had already been accomplished.
Qin Wentian walked towards the edge of the precipice, coming to stand beside the figure. The figure turned his body as he looked towards to Qin Wentian.
This figure was that of a middle-aged man. However, he looked much older than that. Streaks of white layered his brows, and his eyes were filled with a depth so deep that it seemed endless. It was as though he had experienced and weathered the world’s countless pain and sadness.
At this moment, that pair of soulful and amicable eyes became filled with traces of laughter.
“I like those who don’t follow the rules. Your personality is very similar to mine.” That person laughed as he continued. “My name is Ren Qianxing. You may not have heard my name before, but you surely would have heard of my story. After all, many years ago, I once committed the same act that you just did.”
“What was it?” Bewilderment shone on Qin Wentian’s face.
“The killing of a fellow student.” Ren Qianxing laughed, “This happened many years ago. I still remember that when I was much younger, in the Dreamsky Forest, I met an extremely lecherous fiend who did unspeakable things to a female student. After the female student exited the Dreamsky Forest, she was in such a hysterical state of extreme depression and was suffering from a nervous breakdown. Under a fit of rage, I killed the person who had tormented her.”
Qin Wentian froze, as a hint of anger flickered in his eyes. He would have done the same as well.
“If that’s the case, Elder should be one of the three that killed a fellow student in the Emperor Star Academy’s history. But the academy had no reason to punish you after they learned the reason behind your actions?” Qin Wentian continued asking.
Ren Qianxing shook his head, “I’m unlike you, my talent could only be considered average. The person I killed had a higher degree of talent when compared to me. In this world, what people look at is not fairness and justice. This holds true in any circumstances. Not only that, the academy had made it clear that students are allowed to do anything they want in the Dreamsky Forest. That was why even killing was so common inside the dreamscape.”
TL note: 任千行(Ren Qianxing) ren = do as you will/mission. Qian=thousand. Xing =travel/journey.