Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Zhuang Lixu, with a high school entrance exam score of 657 out of 660, was approached by the admissions office of Mingde High School. That year, the total possible score was 660, so a score of 657 was nearly perfect.

To attract Zhuang Lixu to enroll, Mingde offered to waive all tuition and fees for three years. If he consistently ranked in the city’s top ten each semester, he would receive a scholarship of 200,000 yuan. That was just per semester—two semesters a year meant he could pocket 400,000 yuan if he got both. If he placed in the top three in the college entrance exam, the reward started at a million yuan, with each higher rank doubling the bonus.

Zhuang Lixu’s family background wasn’t poor. His father worked at a rubber factory, and his mother ran a small shop selling breakfast items. Though the work was hard, it brought in decent money. They owned their own home in the capital—small, but it saved them rent, allowing them to set aside a fair amount.

Zhuang Lixu chose Mingde not just for the scholarship, but also to broaden his horizons. Elite private schools offered better teaching resources than regular high schools, with more subjects and foreign teachers for language courses.

Mingde’s overall approach wasn’t about rote memorization alone. Even regular students had access to the elite’s learning resources. This attracted Zhuang Lixu the most. His goal had always been clear: to go out into the world and build a better future.

Before enrolling, Zhuang Lixu knew that in a school like Mingde, his modest family meant he didn’t belong to the same class as the rich kids. He had prepared himself for whatever came.

When speaking of Zhuang Lixu, the girl’s expression stayed calm, but her clenched hands gave away her unease: “He thought the difficulties he’d face after enrolling would be class differences from family backgrounds or bullying from classmates. He never expected the first person to bully him would be a teacher.”

She looked up at Lu Mingyu and chuckled lightly: “Wan Fang wasn’t from a powerful background either, but she was good at hiding and currying favor. A few idiots in the class were her pawns without knowing it, while she played the good guy in the middle. Those idiots’ families thought having a sensible teacher would make disciplining their kids easier, so they fought to keep Wan Fang locked in as class advisor.”

Class advisors at Mingde High didn’t get paid the paltry salaries regular teachers did. Though gift-giving was forbidden, small gifts around Teacher’s Day were still okay. For families like theirs, even a 'small gift' was worth tens of thousands. Without skill, no one could secure the lucrative position of class advisor.

Lu Mingyu: “How did Wan Fang bully Zhuang Lixu?”

Girl: “At first, things were normal. Then, I don’t know when, it turned into ignoring him. Homework was ‘missed’ for him, exercise collections were ‘missed’ for him, class activities were ‘missed’ for him. Then she’d act sorry, claiming she was too busy and had forgotten. How many students could keep their cool when a teacher singled them out? But Zhuang Lixu could—he didn’t care. He had a clear goal and didn’t need the teacher’s attention. It wasn’t like she could kick him out of class.”

Lu Mingyu: “Then what happened? How did he end up…”

Girl lowered her eyes: “Later, ignoring turned into destructive praise—praise that was meant to kill him. She started focusing on him, calling him the future valedictorian, saying the school had high hopes for him. She told other students who had gotten in on test scores, ‘You’re not Zhuang Lixu—if your grades were like his, I wouldn’t have to worry so much.’ She told the rich kids, ‘Though you don’t need grades as much as Zhuang Lixu, learning more never hurts.’ She constantly brought up Zhuang Lixu, using him for comparison. Gradually, what do you think the students in the class thought of him?”

Not everyone could be as strong-willed as Zhuang Lixu, unfazed by external distractions. These were seventeen- or eighteen-year-olds, impulsive and self-centered. Slowly, no one in the class hung out with him anymore.

Some saw him as a benchmark for comparison, unconsciously keeping their distance. Others thought he was aloof because of his grades, but figured no matter how good his grades, he’d end up a beast of burden after graduation. They looked down on his aloof attitude and thought he was clueless for thinking high school grades made him hot stuff.

Bullying began gradually.

Over two years, she watched Zhuang Lixu go from a steady, determined youth to someone increasingly silent. Even though they were the ones isolating him, they called him a weird loner. Led by the rich kids, everyone stayed away from him, excluding him from all group activities.

She helped a few times, but it only made the bullying worse.

She said, transfer schools. With his grades, any school would take him.

But Zhuang Lixu shook his head. Transferring meant returning all the scholarships he had received. Over two years, he had gotten scholarships each year—800,000 yuan. That was no small sum for his family.

Though the money was saved by his family, every time he saw his parents’ relieved expressions when looking at the savings, he felt he could endure a bit longer.

And she couldn’t use her family’s influence to help him. Though investing in Zhuang Lixu’s future was worthwhile, he was just a studious young man. Her family wouldn’t allow her to be associated with him. Begging them would only add another heavy burden to his already difficult life.

He said, one more year—the last year. Just grit his teeth and get through it. After graduation, the world would be his.

But in just half a year, everything spiraled out of control.

Pan Xuan asked, “What happened next?”

From the girl’s description, Zhuang Lixu seemed like someone with a clear goal and strong will. Despite overwhelming difficulties, he shouldn’t have given up on life easily.

Girl: “Later, his family was gone. His mother got caught up in a street brawl, was pushed and fell, hit her head on the ground, and died. His father, distraught, made an illegal operation at the factory and was pulled into the machinery. Rescue failed—he died, too.”

She took a deep breath, holding back tears as she looked at the two men: “Two accidents. Surveillance everywhere, yet they couldn’t catch the brawlers. Isn’t that ridiculous? An illegal operation resulting in death, with blame placed on the deceased. An underage boy—how was he supposed to bear that?”

Lu Mingyu: “Besides Wan Fang, who else bullied him?”

Girl: “Why ask? You think you can still get justice for Zhuang Lixu? It’s been half a year. All evidence is gone.”

Lu Mingyu said, “Is Miao Sheng one of them?”

The girl froze: “How do you know? You’ve already investigated? If you know Miao Sheng, just go ask him.”

Lu Mingyu: “Miao Sheng is dead. Besides him, who else?”

Girl, incredulous: “Miao Sheng is dead? When?”

Pan Xuan: “Just tell us who else bullied Zhuang Lixu.”

Her composure cracked, emotions clearly stirred, but oddly, she seemed more pleased. Instead of cooperating, she shut down: “I don’t know.”

Pan Xuan frowned: “You’re in the same class. How could you not know?”

Girl smiled: “Just because we’re in the same class doesn’t mean I know everything. I really don’t know.”

Wan Fang was dead. Miao Sheng was dead. She didn’t know if this was connected to Zhuang Lixu, but what if it was? What if someone was avenging him?

Those who ran with Miao Sheng weren’t easy to deal with. Though it wouldn’t take much for the police to find out who was in that clique by asking a few more students, she wasn’t about to say another word.

Lu Mingyu: “What was your relationship with Zhuang Lixu?”

At that moment, a cloud drifted away, and the sun shone through, warming the girl and dispelling her cold demeanor. She smiled brightly and said, “No relationship. I have nothing to do with him.”

Just that a boy once asked her what the difference was between the plane tree leaves on their campus and those on the F Avenue.

She said she didn’t know. She said she had never been there.

He said, then maybe someday we can go together and see.

She said, okay.

That day, the sunlight was brilliant. The soil underfoot was soft, layered with fallen plane leaves that rustled with every step.

But that chance never came. There was no “someday.”

Seeing she wouldn’t say more, Lu Mingyu didn’t waste time: “Thank you for your cooperation, Ji Qing.”

Ji Qing stood up and walked to the door. Before opening it, she turned and asked, “Is it only after someone dies that so-called justice arrives?”

Without waiting for an answer, she pushed the door open and left. She didn’t need one—because there was no answer to such a question.

Pan Xuan sighed: “Feels like we’ve narrowed down the vengeful spirit, but the timing is a bit off, isn’t it?”

Death half a year ago. If the grievance was immense enough, the spirit would have become an obsessed ghost immediately after death. Zhuang Lixu died six months ago—why wait until now to seek revenge? That’s strange.

Lu Mingyu: “Look into Zhuang Lixu’s matters. I’ll question a few more students.”

Pan Xuan nodded and left.

Just as the investigation was gaining some clues, Bai Zhizhi identified the person who had broken into the courtyard. In fact, the person came willingly, without needing to be found.

Seeing who stood at the door, Uncle Bi froze, then felt a jolt of panic: “Director Song, why are you here?”

The visitor was Deputy Director Song Cheng of the Administration Bureau, one of the few Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the country. Late-stage Foundation Establishment, a step away from the Golden Core stage. Over a hundred years old, but he appeared as a refined middle-aged man.

Seeing who opened the door, Song Cheng smiled gently: “Little Weiqing—long time no see.”

Bi Weiqing, who is almost seventy years old, can only be considered young in front of him.

Bi Weiqing was a little apprehensive: "Director Song, you wouldn't just happen to be passing by, would you?"

Song Cheng smiled and said, "Is Bai Zhizhi here?"

Bi Weiqing quickly stepped aside: "Yes, he is. Zhizhi is a very well-behaved child, very obedient, and gets along well with everyone in the small courtyard. The murder case has also been clarified by Xiao Lu. The demonic aura on the victim was a frame-up."

Song Cheng: "I'm not here for that."

After entering the small courtyard, just like the previous cultivators, the first thing he saw was the grapevine, and beneath it, the Spirit Soil emitting rich Spiritual Energy. He didn't look too surprised, just took a couple more glances: "Did this grow a Spiritual Fruit?"

Bi Weiqing: "Yes, Zhizhi planted it. He said it should ripen by tomorrow at the latest."

Song Cheng: "Bai Zhizhi hasn't been here long. When did you plant it? And it's growing so fast?"

Bi Weiqing: "It was planted yesterday. Zhizhi used Spirit Soil and Spirit Spring Water, so it grew quickly."

Song Cheng sighed and said, "Spirit Spring Water, huh. Many years ago, I once had tea brewed with Spirit Spring Water. The taste was truly unforgettable. This little fox demon has quite a deep family background."

Bi Weiqing smiled. If he had come earlier, he could have treated him to a cup of tea. Unfortunately, the tea made from the pot of water he had scrounged for watering the flowers had already been finished by him and Old Gao.

Sensing an unfamiliar presence in the small courtyard, Bai Zhizhi sauntered over. He took a glance and saw someone he didn't know, but it was clear the stranger was acquainted with the courtyard people. He turned around to leave, deciding he wouldn't meddle as long as there was no danger.

Just as he turned, Song Cheng called out to him: "You're Zhizhi, right? Hello, I'm Song Cheng, the deputy director of the Administration Bureau. I came today because I have something I want to ask you."

As he spoke, he secretly observed the fox demon before him. Having lived for over a hundred years and experienced many things, he had seen quite a few demons, but he had never encountered one as uniquely gifted as Bai Zhizhi. If he didn't know he was a fox demon, he would have thought he was a young master from some prestigious family. However, thinking about the powerful demonic aura that burst out when Bai Zhizhi first appeared, perhaps this one was indeed a young master. Yao clans have long lifespans. Even the thousand-year-old families of the mortal world probably can't compare.

Bai Zhizhi turned his head: "What's the matter?"

As Bai Zhizhi spoke, he also sized up the person in front of him. This was the most powerful cultivator he had encountered since arriving here.

It was a pity, with the sparse Spiritual Energy of this world, it couldn't provide him with enough power to break through. If he wanted to find a way to survive here, he could probably only rely on some Spirit Objects. No wonder people here value energy fields so much.

But fortunately, although his age wasn't considered young by human standards, his vitality was still robust. He should be able to live at least another hundred years. If he was lucky enough to break through to the Golden Core stage, he could live a bit longer.

Song Cheng: "Regarding the matter of the American Adept, Ousen's Ability Core being shattered, they accused you of doing it. I came to ask about this."

Uncle Gao and Uncle Bi, along with Yue Zhihuan, who had heard that someone was looking for Bai Zhizhi and specifically came out, all immediately thought of the straw doll. Yue Zhihuan couldn't hide things, her face went pale. Zhizhi had injured someone. Would he be arrested?

Bai Zhizhi tilted his head slightly: "Ability Core?"

Song Cheng nodded: "The American Adept, Ousen's Ability Core was shattered. An Ability Core is similar to a cultivator's dantian, it's where energy is stored. Shattering an Ability Core means his abilities are crippled. He will probably be even worse off than an ordinary person from now on."

Bai Zhizhi: "So what if I did it? They dared to break into my courtyard but couldn't withstand my counterattack. Can they blame me for that?"

Gao Man stepped forward wanting to say something, but Song Cheng raised his hand to stop him: "I'm not here to blame you. It's just that the American Adepts reported this matter to the Administration Bureau, so I naturally have to come and clarify. If there was a reason for it, then it certainly can't be considered your fault. But for now, both sides are sticking to their own stories. Would you mind coming with me, Zhizhi, to the Administration Bureau to confront them face to face?"

The three people in the courtyard looked worried, afraid that if Bai Zhizhi was taken away, he would never be released.

Bai Zhizhi, however, wasn't concerned. In terms of cultivation, none of these people could match him. As for equipment outside of cultivation, these people were probably even less impressive. If they were going to be unreasonable, he would be unreasonable too.

Bai Zhizhi: "Fine, I'll go. I'd like to see them try to blame me when they're simply outmatched!"