Accused and spurned by everyone!
Lin Xun never imagined that he would one day receive such treatment.
He looked around, seeing the gazes that wished they could swallow him whole. He looked at the crowd’s angry faces, then at the smug and righteous old fellows on the stage and suddenly smiled.
It was a very dazzling smile.
The smile on his friendly face looked ever so glaring under the sunlight; as if he was laughing at everyone.
“Why are you smiling!” Yu Canglin suddenly shouted as his expression turned frosty.
In his mind, Lin Xun should be like a prisoner walking to the gallows. He should have been angrily shouting to try and refute everything or weeping and kneeling to beg for forgiveness. Yu Canglin couldn't have imagined that Lin Xun would still be able to smile in such circumstances.
Moreover, his smile was so carefree, so fearless and so offensive! Yu Canglin could not help but fume and bellow at this sight.
Why are you smiling!?
His voice echoed across the plaza, stunning the crowd who were just moments ago still furiously scolding, ridiculing and blaming Lin Xun. Their gazes pivoted towards the boy.Sure enough, they found the youngster smiling!
The sight gave everyone a bizarre and absurd feeling, which was soon replaced by endless boiling rage. The evildoer dares to smile at such a time?
Although Lin Xun was all alone in the large empty space around him, he seemed completely unfazed. His gaze swept across the crowd and ultimately landed on Yu Canglin, “I’m amused by how blind and ignorant all of you are; unable to tell right from wrong or differentiate between black and white. You hear a few baseless rumors and judge me as an evil, unscrupulous person. If this were to spread to the Forbidden City, all of you here will be viewed as jokes and disgraces of the district exam!”
His voice was clear and his words were ruthless; he was directly scolding everyone present!
The entire place flew into a rage. This little bastard isn’t showing even an ounce of repentance at death’s door. He definitely deserves death!
The faces of the influential figures on the stage also darkened substantially. Being scolded by a youngster in front of everyone was undoubtedly an infringement upon their dignity.
Even Yao Tuohai, who had been watching like a bystander since the beginning, frowned slightly.
In contrast to the others, Mu Wansu was utterly shocked and alarmed by Lin Xun’s gall. Is the punk’s counterattack finally beginning?
“How dare you?!” Yu Canglin’s expression was stern, cold and oppressive. His eyes shined with an intense light as if he wished he could incinerate Lin Xun on the spot.
An ordinary thirteen-year-old would have been intimidated and scared witless, but Lin Xun was the picture of calm and displayed no fear.
His expression did not even waver as he looked straight at Yu Canglin without backing down, “How dare I? Well said! Dare I ask Principal Yu Canglin what crimes have I committed?”
What crimes have I committed?
Everyone found this ridiculous. Lin Xun had clearly admitted to everything earlier. Is he planning to take back his words? How despicable!
Before Yu Canglin could reply, Lin Xun continued, “I admit that I’m the boss of the Chopsticks Gang, but have any of you seen me bully the innocent? Has anyone seen me do anything evil?”
“Never!”
Lin Xun stepped forward, his voice charged with emotion, “Instead, after I established the Chopsticks Gang, I restricted my subordinates from doing any more wicked things. Feel free to go and verify this in the slums! If I said a single lie, I will take my own life as an apology to the world!”
The entire place was silent as everyone watched Lin Xun finally retort with an unyielding spirit. Several people’s expressions changed slightly as they began to waver.
This was a vicious oath to make!
Of course, mere verbal promises weren’t worth much. However, Lin Xun looked far too composed and did not try to take back his admission of being the Chopstick Gang’s boss. Instead, his words seemed to hold a convincing power.
On the stage, Yu Canglin’s expression darkened, realizing Lin Xun’s earlier silence was not a sign of him giving up but instead accumulating his power for the counterattack.
However, before Yu Canglin could say anything, the Wu Clan Leader Wu Qun could no longer hold himself back and shouted, “Preposterous! To think the leader of an underground society would dare to try and make himself look innocent. What a joke!”
Lin Xun’s gaze shifted towards Wu Qun. Instead of showing any timidity, a sneer rose from the corners of Lin Xun’s mouth, “This must be the Wu Clan Leader. I actually have something to ask you. Who contacted the Black Tiger Gang Boss Old Tiger a few days ago to arrange a night raid on me with a few hundred men?”
An uproar erupted. The crowd was in disbelief.
Lian Fei’s expression turned gloomy, a stark contrast to the smugness he was feeling earlier. He had already realized that Lin Xun was planning to drag the Wu Clan down with him. Once that happened, Lian Fei would not be able to escape either!
He could not help but become somewhat anxious and agitated. Why were these influential figures still childishly bickering with Lin Xun? Couldn’t they capture him to prevent further complications?
“Relax, there is no evidence. With my father around, Lin Xun will not be able to save himself no matter how eloquent he is!”
Yao Susu seemed to read Lian Fei’s thoughts and consoled him, “Moreover, today is the district exam and the entire empire is observing the situation in each city. Even Principal Yu and the others would not dare to risk going against the rules and subdue Lin Xun. Otherwise, if news of it got out, the repercussions will be problematic to say the least.”
Lian Fei hatefully said, “That shitbag Lin Xun definitely knows this. That’s why he dares to act so fearlessly!”
Although that was how it was, Lian Fei knew that only the higher-ups on the stage could decide whether to subdue Lin Xun. This was not a matter Lian Fei had any say in.
On the stage, Wu Qun’s expression darkened and he furiously yelled, “Don’t try to slander me! If you dare to speak any more nonsense, I will kill you right here and now!”
Lin Xun sneered, “How mighty of you. Today is the district exam and I’m a participant. As long as I manage to pass, I will become a future pillar of the empire. If you dare to kill me to hide the truth, go ahead! It doesn’t matter if I die, but the Wu Clan will not have an easy time either once the empire hears of this!”
Kill me to hide the truth!
The corners of Wu Qun’s mouth twitched at this phrase. He had finally experienced Lin Xun’s cunning wit. The way he randomly pinned crimes on others was devious to say the least.
If Wu Qun did kill Lin Xun, it would only validate everything the boy had said!
Numerous people’s expressions also turned strange when Lin Xun said he was a future pillar of the empire.
It was such an arrogant thing to say and more importantly, it had been taken directly from Yao Tuohai’s speech before the district exam. No matter how much they didn’t want to, the crowd had to admit that Lin Xun’s results were pretty good. Hence, no one could dispute it no matter how uncomfortable it made them feel.
The corners of Yao Tuohai’s lips also twitched at these words but he ultimately did not say anything.
Upon realizing that the situation was beginning to spiral out of control, Yu Canglin frowned and solemnly said, “Silence! Today is the district exam, not a criminal proceeding!”
His words returned the crowd to their senses. How did the topic suddenly shift to the Wu Clan? Lin Xun is so devious, this was clearly his intention!
Lin Xun immediately said, “Principal Yu is right, today is the district exam! Dare I ask what everyone’s earlier criticisms of me have to do with the exam?”
Yu Canglin’s expression darkened, “How can there be no relation? Your questionable character, lack of morality and treacherousness are huge causes for concern. Allowing you to pass the exam will be a failure on our part as examiners!”
Before Lin Xun could open his mouth again, Yu Canglin waved his sleeve and commanded, “Take him away. We will deal with him after the district exam is over!”
A Donglin Academy instructor immediately moved, his gaze brimming with killing intent as it swept towards the plaza. He was a stern-looking middle-aged man and Spirit Dipper stage expert.
Evidently, Yu Canglin was not going to give Lin Xun any more opportunities to rebut!
Lian Fei and Yao Susu breathed sighs of relief and began to smile again. On the stage, the expressions of many influential figures on the stage relaxed as icy lights flashed in their eyes.
However, Lin Xun suddenly faced the heavens and laughed, “I can already tell that you, Yu Canglin, are the same as those who seek to silence and humiliate me! Fine, allow my sacrifice today to show everyone in the empire how twisted and evil all of you are!”
He acted as if he would rather die than lower his head.
This was called advancing through retreating. Go ahead and kill me if you guys have the balls. As long as news of what happened today spreads, none of you will be able to escape either!
Lin Xun’s reaction made the crowd begin to doubt. Could there really be something more to this matter?
Yu Canglin’s heart sank. Lin Xun’s words were far too sinister and put Yu Canglin between a rock and a hard place.
He couldn't help but feel regretful. If he knew this would happen, he would have ordered Lin Xun to be taken away earlier and deny him any chance of speaking!
However, it was useless to regret at this juncture.
Wu Qun’s and the other influential figures’ expressions also turned ugly. The district exam was an important matter to the empire. There would certainly be repercussions if it was known that they had forced a participant to his death.
Lian Fei’s teeth itched as hatred swelled in his chest. Lin Xun’s undaunted appearance looked far too disgusting in Lian Fei’s eyes!
The atmosphere turned stiflingly silent.
Every gaze directed at Lin Xun contained a mixture of feelings: confusion, bitterness, hatred, bewilderment, gloating and admiration, although most were filled with hatred.
Lin Xun seemed completely unconcerned because it was already do or die for him. He was very weak and no match for any of these old fellows. He needed to acknowledge this truth. A person must first clearly understand his or her own power before trying to fight against the unfairness of reality.
The current reality was that no one could help him. Only he could help himself!
There was no way he would be able to leave safely without risking it all at this moment. The district exam was already no longer of any concern.
This was the sorrow of being a small fry.
No matter how self-deprecating it was, Lin Xun had to admit that he was only a small fry.
The power he currently possessed was still far too weak compared to the influential figures present. Hence, he could only risk his life on a bet!
Even if he died, he would drag them down with him!