Chapter 88: A Gentleman Should Not Resort To Violence (2)
Zhou Tianqi and his friends were stupefied as well. It seemed like they had created a big trouble for themselves. Hundreds of students and dozens of parents were glaring at them murderously. How should they deal with this?
Something was going to happen!
The guests from the capital were fighting among themselves! The locals shut their mouths and prepared to watch the show that was about to unfold.
This drama was unrelated to them. That parent was right. Those people from the capital were the biggest victims. After spending so much money to come here, they found that these elite students were also here to snatch the slots from them. What was the point of spending all that money then?
At the very least, the locals did not need to pay for the examination.
Zhou Tianqi was young and inexperienced. He did not know what to do. When he saw a parent walking toward him, he said in panic, "That's not the case! W-we're only here to see Su Yu..."
"You came here just to see someone? Then who will explain to us why we wasted so much money to come here?"
The parent demanded furiously, "If you guys can't pass the exam in the capital, we won't blame you for coming here. But you're a genius in the capital. Why are you here? What is the meaning of this? Is the upper class going to monopolize even the academy recruitment as well?”
"Are you going to sever what little chance of advancement we have? If my son can't get into an academy this year, my family will struggle to even put food on the table. Are you going to pay for our living expenses? Are you going to compensate us?”
"For rich people like you, millions of dollars are nothing. But for some of us, that is our life savings. We even got into debt trying to send our children into an academy. You guys are clearly trying to kill my entire family!"
"Since you're doing that to me, if my son fails to get into an academy, I'll make sure to drag you to the grave as well!”
There were a lot of angry parents around.
Shortly after, several proctors walked out after hearing about the disturbance outside. Some city guards had arrived as well. Even Xia Bing from the Martial Dragon Guards showed up. A riot was going to erupt outside the examination building.
...
Su Yu's expression kept changing. Would something really happen? He truly did not intend for things to escalate this much. He was only trying to give Zhou Tianqi and his friends some trouble.
It was obvious these people had not approached him with kind intentions. That was why he had said all that. But it seemed like he had poked the hornet's nest? If the government decided to investigate this, he wouldn't be charged for inciting public opinion, right?
More and more people arrived. Bureau Head Sun of the Talent Fostering Bureau was there. Old Xie with his arms crossed in front of his chest was there. Xia Bing was there. The Devil Subduing Army commander was there. Even Wu Wenhai was there.
With the appearance of several Skysoar cultivators, the situation calmed down somewhat. While listening to the report from his underling, Bureau Head Sun glanced at Su Yu coldly. Su Yu's heart thumped. Next, Bureau Head Sun shifted his gaze to Zhou Tianqi and company. His face turned unsightly.
A riot almost erupted! Were these bastards unaware of how troublesome it would be if a riot were to break out? As the person in charge of the examinations in Nanyuan, he might end up executed by Marquis Xia for this!
Selling residency slots, selling houses, and all those ideas came from Marquis Xia. Since trouble had occurred during the implementation of these policies in Nanyuan, the discontent might spread to the other 28 cities as well.
The cause of the riot would be the confusing new policies. But as the person in charge of the Nanyuan examinations, he would also bear the blame for failing to control the situation properly.
Bureau Head Sun's expression changed repeatedly before saying, "Calm down, everyone. Do not listen to unfounded rumors. Zhou Tianqi's group will not be taking the slots of the guest students. They're here on special passes.
"Including Wu Lan, each of them had paid 10 million dollars to take the exam here. From the nine of them, only three of them will be accepted. They're not here to fight over the slots with you guys. They're here to challenge themselves."
With a wide smile on his face, Bureau Head Sun continued, "Since they're willing to pay 10 million just to challenge themselves, we're more than happy to accommodate them. As Marquis Xia said, if they're willing to get ripped off, we won't mind helping them out."
The bureau head had a friendly smile as he spoke in a teasing tone, "Everyone here has quite the temper. That's the bad thing about Great Xia. Everyone is so fast to throw punches. That parent over there, if you keep talking about how you're going to drag someone to the grave, the Windcatcher Department will prepare a cell for you."
The parent from earlier spoke with an aggrieved tone, "Sir, we were shocked as well. So many slots are gone. If we were aware of that, we wouldn't have come here. That's our life savings. They're clearly trying to ruin our lives."
"Stop complaining." Bureau Head Sun replied with the same friendly tone, "Don't you still have the house? You won't starve. You paid for this voluntarily. Did anyone force you to do this? These kids won't even be taking the ordinary slots. Even if they are, you can only blame yourself if your kids end up failing.
"The next time anyone incites a riot, you'll be considered a cult member and executed."
Bureau Head Sun's face instantly turned solemn as he said, "What are you doing still gathered here? Are you going to revolt against the prefecture? Do you want the Myriad Race Cult to take this chance to keep inciting you guys to create trouble? You guys will only end up losing your heads for that.
"Piss off. If you're not a student, get out of here."
He had acted as both the carrot and the stick. With his explanation, the parents were placated. All of them left with smiles on their faces. The public anger was finally placated.
After the crowd dispersed, Bureau Head Sun's gaze turned frosty as he looked at Zhou Tianqi's group. He coldly said, "What I said earlier will be applied immediately."
Zhou Tianqi and the others paled. Ten million! And not even that was the main point. The main point was that only three out of nine of them would pass. Six of them would fail the examination.
Some were alarmed and some felt aggrieved. One of them hurriedly said, "Bureau Head Sun, we..."
Bureau Head Sun's eyes turned even colder as he said, "The Martial Dragon Guards and Great Xia Army has the authority to raid properties."
Their faces fell. This was Great Xia. Things were generally peaceful, but when the benefits of the major departments were under threat, the Martial Dragon Guards and Great Xia Army would instantly transform into fiends that would raid and exterminate entire families. In fact, there were many instances of that happening in the past.
Bureau Head Sun then shifted his gaze to Su Yu who was also slightly pale. Bureau Head Sun only stared at him silently for a while before turning away to speak with the young researcher from the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy.
The young researcher nodded repeatedly. He no longer maintained his cold and detached expression. In the event of emergencies, Bureau Head Sun would have the authority over all of them.
After a while, Bureau Head Sun walked away. After Bureau Head Sun left, the young researcher from the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy looked at Su Yu and transmitted his voice to Su Yu.
"The government is fair and just. Since Zhou Tianqi and company are the ones who had started this, they will take the main blame. However, you will still be punished for escalating the incident recklessly.
"Do you know what would happen if these people decided to attack Zhou Tianqi and company?
"Su Yu, you're a smart guy. Think carefully the next time you're about to do something.
"Since this is your first offense and you aren't the main offender, you will only be fined 20 merit points."
Su Yu's face changed. That was a lot of merit points! Why did he have to run his mouth? That Bureau Head Sun was aware that he had obtained 20 merit points for free in the morning. Now, all those points were gone. What a big loss!
He was only feeling bad for losing some merit points. As for Zhou Tianqi and company, they were sinking into despair. Originally, they were able to get into the academy. But now, six of them would fail.
Moreover, the Talent Fostering Bureau and the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy had taken note of them. In that situation, even if they manage to get into the academy, life would be hard for them.
The 10 million wasn't even important. The crux of the matter was that their families would definitely give them a harsh beating after hearing of this incident. Filing a complaint against this decision? Stop joking. A riot nearly happened. If they dared to escalate it, they might really end up getting raided.
They were sullen, but there was nothing they could do about it. They glared at Su Yu with resentment. However, Su Yu was also doing the same to them!
"Don't let me see your faces in the academy or I'll be sure to make your life a living hell!"
Su Yu threatened furiously with an ashen face. For him, 20 merit points were a lot of points. It was totally not worth losing so many points just to create some trouble for these fellows. As for how talented these morons were or how bright their future was, he didn't care.
Not far away, Wu Lan was completely stupefied. Did she...just lose 10 million dollars? She didn't even know what was going on. She was one of the nine mentioned. What had she done? She hadn't done anything! She was dumbstruck. She had just arrived and had no idea what was happening. Sure, she had heard Su Yu's words as well...but that didn't seem to have anything to do with her?
She was also one of the special guest students that would not encroach upon the existing slots. Why did that happen to her?
She looked at Su Yu. When she saw his ugly expression, she suddenly felt happy. The 10 million she lost did not feel like a big deal anymore. That fellow was still so cocky earlier. Look at his face now!
But when her gaze landed on Zhou Tianqi and company, her face turned unsightly as she warned, "Don't let me see your faces in the academy. Otherwise...be ready to be stuck in the academy for life."
She felt like those morons had implicated her! She had not done anything. Those bastards were the ones who were talking to Su Yu earlier. They had implicated her, causing her to be punished alongside them. As for the three slots, she would definitely get one of them so she wasn't too worried about that.
Zhou Tianqi and company looked even more unsightly. Su Yu had just threatened them. Wu Lan did the same. Bureau Head Sun had punished them. Six of them would fail the examination...
What happened? How did they get themselves in such a terrible situation? They could forget about stealing the position as Bai Feng's student. They might not even be able to enter the academy anymore.
...
"That little fellow...has quite the eloquent mouth."
In the building, the Skysoar cultivators were feeling rather speechless.
Wu Wenhai didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He looked at Bureau Head Sun and said, "You can't blame him. Those capital fellows were the ones who had provoked him for no reason. He was merely hitting back. Of course, he was speaking the truth as well. Marquis Xia is the true culprit here. His new policies are problematic."
Bureau Head Sun grumbled, "Feel free to take that with the marquis yourself. We almost got into big trouble. That little fellow...is really quite good with his mouth. Isn't his father a Devil Subduing Army veteran? Since when are the people there so smart?"
That immediately provoked the Devil Subduing Army commander.
"Are you challenging the Devil Subduing Army?"
Bureau Head Sun's face twitched. Who the fuck was challenging them?
Wu Wenhai helplessly said, "As Liu Wenyan's student, it's normal for him to have a sharp tongue. Just let this matter settle and fine him 20 merit points to teach him a lesson."
The leader from the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy asked, "How about the nine students? Are we really going to fail six of them?"
Bureau Head Sun coldly said, "Do you object? Even if you do, keep your opinions to yourself. The only reason they're still breathing is because they're still young. If they're so brainless, why bother trying to be cultural researchers?
"Say what you may about Su Yu, but at least he's smart. As for the others, they're fools. It won't be a loss to the prefecture even if all of them were to die here.
"Do they really believe that they can catch Bai Feng's attention by taking the exam here?"
Bureau Head Sun was completely aware of their goal. He snorted disdainfully and said, "If Bai Feng really accepts them, he can change his name to Bai Fool instead of Bai Feng."
"What's the point of accepting morons into the academy? It's a waste of resources. This is good for us. With the additional 90 million dollars in hand, Marquis Xia will probably let this slide...
"Also, if Su Yu manages to place first in the cultural research exam, the head of the Great Xia Cultural Research Academy's delegation will need to reward him with 20 merit points."
To the side, the leader from the cultural research academy was stunned. Why must he do that?
Bureau Head Sun coldly said, "This is a problem caused by your Great Xia Cultural Research Academy. You're only spared because this matter did not escalate. If the situation had escalated, not even 200,000 merit points would be enough to solve it. Trust me."
Wu Wenhai smiled and said, "Keep the peace and don't give the marquis a chance to fine you or cut even more of your funds. Don't make your own life difficult."
The leader asked helplessly, "But why Su Yu?"
"And you call yourself a researcher? You moron!" ?Bureau Head Sun started scolding, "Neither Bai Feng or Liu Wenyan are pushovers. Senior Hong has only left for the Allheaven Battlefield, not dea--cough, cough. Su Yu had been fined 20 merit points out of nowhere. He wasn't even the main culprit here. What would they think about this?
"If he can place first, we'll return the 20 points to him. If he can't place first, he will only prove his incompetence and the others will stop placing that much importance on him. Do you understand now?"
The leader sighed and said, "Head Sun, you're indeed worthy of being my senior brother. I finally understand why you lived so well back when you were in the academy."
Bureau Head Sun's face fell. What did this fellow just say to him? Was he asking to be taught a lesson? But then again, there was indeed a reason for this fellow to do so badly in the academy. It seemed like he was going to stay an assistant researcher for life. What a fool!
If it wasn't for the fact that they were ex schoolmates, Bureau Head Sun wouldn't have bothered giving this fellow guidance. This fellow would end up offending people like Bai Feng, Liu Wenyan, Senior Hong, the Wu Family, and even the backers of Wu Tianqi and company. And he would have no one to blame but himself for his stupidity.
Of course, the Wu Family wouldn't go too far for only 10 million dollars.
While thinking about all that, Bureau Head Sun looked at the leader from the academy with disdain and said, "Stop creating trouble for me! If something really happens during the exam, you'll be the first person I sacrifice. If you let the internal struggles of the academy ?hinder the exam, I'll teach every single one of you a lesson. Don't forget that there is more than one cultural research academy in Great Xia."
The leader hurriedly said, "Don't worry. It won't happen."
"That better be true. Stop hanging out with that stupid Liu Hong. No, I take that back. At least that fool is smart enough to keep himself hidden while sending you out to do the dirty work for you. That can only mean that you're an even bigger fool."
The leader felt helpless. He hadn't even done anything. Why was this fellow so angry at him? He was only here at Nanyuan to earn some merit points. Why was he getting all this shit? Life was truly difficult.