Chapter 12: Zhang Tanxing; Give Me Some Soothing…
Lu Yin pursed his lips and said nothing, but Zhuang He’s patience was limited.
His knuckles curved as he tapped the table twice. A wave of pressure descended, nearly crushing Lu Yin to the floor.
“I’m sorry, Teacher.”
With just that one move, Lu Yin understood how weak he was before Zhuang He and realized that Zhuang He was currently somewhat angry.
“…During training this morning, that Sentinel…”
Lu Yin’s thoughts drifted back to the morning. He had been training with the other Sentinels. Although he was SSS-grade, he trained with the ordinary Sentinels except for Zhuang He’s extra “private lessons.”
Just as he had finished his laps and was chatting with Liang Tong and the others, Qi He walked over and sat beside them to drink water without a word.
Liang Tong glanced at him, then made eye contact with Hua Huijiang and Lu Yin, shaking his head slightly.
Lu Yin had already felt Qi He’s attitude was strange. He had been quite warm at first, but after hearing Lu Yin had been accepted as Zhuang He’s private student, he began to act exceptionally cold. But Lu Yin didn’t need his warmth; of the four in the dormitory, only Qi He always kept to himself.
At that moment, Qi He was just sitting there. He didn’t speak or do anything, so they treated him as if he didn’t exist.
But while they wanted to ignore him, Qi He had other ideas.
He scrutinized Lu Yin for a few moments, then pulled a smile and asked, “Lu Yin, why didn’t you go find the Chief for private training today?”
Lu Yin thought the question and the tone were strange, but he still answered him politely, “Teacher went out on a mission today.”
Qi He took a sip of water and said, “I thought so. How could a dog ever leave its master?”
As soon as those words were spoken, not just Lu Yin but even Liang Tong and Hua Huijiang changed their expressions, looking at Qi He with confusion and anger.
“Qi He, what kind of talk is that?”
Liang Tong, who had a short fuse, stood up and pointed at Qi He. “Who are you calling a dog?”
Beside him, Hua Huijiang pulled him back, his tone carrying a hint of warning: “Qi He, Chief Zhuang is the Chief of the Empire after all. It’s a bit too much for you to talk about his student like that.”
To their surprise, Qi He showed no fear, looking directly at Lu Yin with a mocking gaze. “Am I wrong?”
Lu Yin didn’t know why he resented him and Zhuang He so much, but he had no intention of doing anything to him. He only gave him a cold glance, stood up, and pulled Liang Tong and Hua Huijiang away to find another place to rest.
But unexpectedly, Qi He, seeing that Lu Yin wasn’t angry, continued his insults, each one more foul than the last.
His words implied that Zhuang He’s promotion wasn’t legitimate and that he, an S-grade Sentinel, looked down on people. Lu Yin knew there were always people in the Academy who were either jealous of or disliked Zhuang He. The anonymous posts on the internal forum were filled with even more such filth.
But that was across a screen. Although he felt angry seeing it, it hadn’t reached the point where he wanted to punch each of those people. Today, however, Qi He seemed to have lost his mind, hurling all that filth right in his face.
Liang Tong and Hua Huijiang were furious. One broke free of Lu Yin’s hand to hit Qi He, while the other prepared to find a teacher to settle it.
But before Liang Tong could even touch Qi He, a fist flew past him, striking the still-cursing Qi He directly in the face.
Instantly, blood sprayed from Qi He’s nose, and he staggered back several steps. But he was an A-grade Sentinel after all. After barely steadying himself, he glared at Lu Yin, and a massive horned eagle spread its wings behind him, charging forward like a whirlwind.
Lu Yin didn’t back down either. He directly released his White Tiger. The horned eagle tried several times to get close to the White Tiger and Lu Yin, but he was protected perfectly.
Seeing the horned eagle growing enraged while Qi He’s foul words continued to strike Lu Yin’s eardrums, and with teachers already rushing toward them from the distance, Lu Yin didn’t want these people to hear Qi He’s insults toward Zhuang He. He used the White Tiger as cover and flashed to Qi He’s side. At the same time, he released his 3S-grade spiritual power pressure. Qi He was pinned down, unable to move, and Lu Yin stepped forward quickly, striking Qi He in the chest with a fist. The other spat a mouthful of blood and collapsed.
The teachers quickly stepped forward to control Lu Yin, while simultaneously notifying the medical team to treat Qi He.
After that came Lu Yin’s forced confinement in solitary, until Zhuang He came to get him out.
＊
After hearing Lu Yin’s account, Zhuang He felt a bit annoyed. He didn’t have a cigarette with him and habitually reached for his pocket before pulling his hand back.
He stood up and walked to the window, looking at the lush trees and students outside. His irritation eased slightly.
Suddenly, a round pink lollipop appeared at his side. Zhuang He turned to look; it was Lu Yin.
“I guessed as much when I saw Teacher buying candy at the shop before.”
Zhuang He took the pink lollipop and skillfully tore off the wrapper before popping it into his mouth.
The sweet fragrance spread, calming his urge to smoke.
“Thanks.”
“No need for such politeness between us, Teacher. I was impulsive this time. I’ll accept the punishment according to academy rules.”
Lu Yin lowered his head and admitted his mistake obediently. He had now grasped Zhuang He’s personality: making a mistake was fine as long as you admitted it truthfully and didn’t make excuses; then he would soften.
This time, Lu Yin had gambled correctly again.
Zhuang He took a light bite of the lollipop and looked out the window for a long time before saying, “Qi He was in the wrong, but you were at fault as well. Your training will be doubled starting in a few days. I’ll handle the matter with Qi He.”
Lu Yin looked at Zhuang He with bright eyes, seemingly surprised that he would protect him. He said with excitement, “Thank you, Teacher!”
“Mhm. Don’t let it happen again.”
Zhuang He turned to leave, but he heard Lu Yin ask behind him, “Was Teacher’s mission today successful?”
His footsteps paused. He gave a brief “Mhm” and walked out.
Lu Yin stood in place for a long time before lowering his head and letting out a breath, masking the complex emotions in his eyes.
＊
After returning home, a new message arrived on Zhuang He’s light-brain. It was from Shi Yan, filled with the same old platitudes. He glanced at it and didn’t bother replying.
After exiting the chat with Shi Yan, Zhuang He found Du Yu and made a video call.
This time, Du Yu answered quickly. Judging by the environment, she was likely handling the mission matter.
“What is it? Finished the heart-to-heart with your little Sentinel?”
“If you talk nonsense again, I’ll feed your crocodile to the phoenix.”
Zhuang He’s tone was faint, but his words were quite ruthless. Du Yu looked at him in terror, holding her poor little crocodile as she complained, “How could you have the heart to harm such a cute mental body!”
Cute? Zhuang He silently watched the crocodile, which was baring its blood-red maw while acting cute with Du Yu. He was silent for a moment before shifting the topic. “Do you know the specific details of the incident between Lu Yin and Qi He today?”
Du Yu pried open the crocodile’s mouth to check for cavities or food residue before patting its head and letting it vanish into points of light.
“Lu Yin’s two roommates gave me a brief explanation. It seems Qi He was being a bit disrespectful, which enraged Lu Yin?”
Zhuang He crossed his hands, resting his chin on them.
“Then do you know exactly what Qi He said?”
Du Yu gave him a strange look. Since when was Zhuang He someone who beat around the bush?
“I wouldn’t know that. Those two roommates were being vague and wouldn’t say clearly.”
“Is there a place on the academy forum where one can post anonymously?”
Zhuang He usually only paid attention to military matters and rarely checked other information, including the internal academy forum.
“Mhm, there is. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
Du Yu had had enough of Zhuang He’s slow and indirect manner. She asked in rapid-fire fashion, “Just tell me straight, will you? I’m not a worm in your stomach, and I’m not a worm in your little Sentinel’s stomach either!”
Zhuang He ignored her comment and briefly recounted what Lu Yin had told him. Sure enough, he saw Du Yu’s expression suddenly sour.
“To think something like that happened? I’ll handle the forum later. As for this Qi He…”
Du Yu pondered for a moment, her tone carrying a hint of suspicion. “I feel the timing of his conflict with Lu Yin is a bit too convenient. I’ll go check it out first. Later, I’ll post a notice in the Academy. These students really are becoming lawless. Do they think our First Academy is a place for play?”
Seeing Du Yu’s anger rising, Zhuang He gave a brief farewell and cut the communication. He lay back on the sofa, enjoying the mechanical arm’s massage.
Du Yu was right just now; the timing was too perfect. Was this Qi He related to the Zerg incident, or was he simply cynical?
That would have to wait for Du Yu’s results.
With a pile of matters weighing on him from morning until noon, Zhuang He had forgotten that he hadn’t eaten. He patted his stomach and decided to go to the canteen to settle it, rather than having the mechanical arms at home making a racket while cooking.
When he reached the canteen, Zhuang He sat and ate his meal quietly as usual. Since the break was over, the students had either gone back to class or to their dorms to rest. The massive three-story canteen was exceptionally quiet.
He was focused on eating when he suddenly sensed an aura approaching him. Alert, he then realized the aura was very familiar. Zhuang He figured no enemy would appear in the canteen and didn’t even turn his head.
“You clearly sensed me, so why didn’t you turn to look at me?”
A plaintive voice rang out, while a slender and fair hand rested on Zhuang He’s shoulder.
But Zhuang He continued to focus on his meal as if nothing were happening. The owner of the voice seemed somewhat dissatisfied and plopped down beside Zhuang He, wrapping his arms around him without hesitation. The next second, however, he was repelled by a wave of pressure and hurriedly pulled back.
“What was that for? Being so mean to me.”
Only then did Zhuang He turn to give him a glance, his voice cold. “Take your octopus off me.”
“Ugh! How many times do I have to say it! It’s not an octopus! It’s the overlord of the sea! The Imperial Octopus! My double-S grade isn’t for show!”
The man’s features, which were beautiful enough to be mistaken for either gender, were now intentionally making an angry expression. He didn’t look fierce; instead, he was quite charming and cute.
“Zhang Tanxing.”
“I know, I know.”
The man pouted, retracting his spiritual power with dissatisfaction and grievance. He propped up his arm and looked at Zhuang He. “We haven’t seen each other in so long. Why don’t you miss me at all?”
“You didn’t die in battle.”
“You talk so coldly~ but I like it~ Do you like me?”
Zhang Tanxing was the only one who dared to use such a tone and make such moves because of his beautiful face. If it were Shi Yan, Zhuang He would probably have been disgusted enough to want to vomit.
“I don’t.”
Zhuang He rose to leave, but he was caught by a soft tentacle with suction cups.
“Give me some soothing~”
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