Xia Kaishan's Frustration

"Yan Tianheng is a Tier-2 Star Seed?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking. "Yes." "This information must be kept confidential from ordinary students, but there's no need to hide it from you," Tang Jianxin said. "A so-called Tier-3 Star Seed basically corresponds to the average standard of a student at New Moon Martial University. "Someone like Yan Tianheng, who is considered outstanding even at New Moon Martial University, is a Tier-2 Star Seed." "Then a Tier-1 Star Seed is the very cream of the crop at New Moon Martial University?" Fang Yu had a rough grasp of it now. "Meaning the absolute top geniuses in the entire Blue Moon Alliance?" "Pretty much," Tang Jianxin nodded. Having graduated from New Moon Martial University herself, she was naturally familiar with these distinctions. "By the way." "The 1.3 million Star Coins deducted from you after your previous trial should be refunded to your account very soon," Tang Jianxin said. "Now that a Sky-Patrolling Martial Artist has personally spoken, Xia Kaishan should lie low for a while... "However, just to be completely safe, once you return to campus, do not leave the university grounds until you've signed with one of the Eight Great Martial Artist Groups," she urged. "The Eight Great Martial Artist Groups will still sign me?" Fang Yu couldn't help asking. Previously, not a single one of the Eight Great Martial Artist Groups had reached out to him. "They didn't sign you before because your potential wasn't high enough. Earth Contract students only have a certain probability of becoming Earth Martial Artists, and their chance of becoming top Earth Martial Artists is less than one percent," Tang Jianxin explained. "Normally, when a martial artist signs a contract, they sign with the group branch where their household registration is located. "Because of that, Xia Kaishan only needed to drop a few hints to the heads of those city branches in Wuling City to successfully block you in the short term. "None of those city branch directors would offend a top Earth Martial Artist like Xia Kaishan for the sake of a student who might merely become an ordinary Earth Martial Artist. "After all, you didn't belong to any of their groups back then, so they had no obligation to protect you," Tang Jianxin continued. "On top of that, you were saddled with criminal charges. Not signing you carried zero consequences for them." Fang Yu nodded in understanding. He had discussed this with his father. Xing Ye, a director at Star Radiance Group's Wuling City branch, seemed to have backed away precisely because of this... Meanwhile, his younger brother and sister had received Star Radiance Group's "protection commitment" only because their contracts were already signed. "But things are different now." "First, the case was retried, clearing you of all charges. With Sky-Patroller Ye personally defining the matter, those city branch heads can use that as an ironclad excuse, leaving Xia Kaishan without a leg to stand on," Tang Jianxin said. "Second, you are now a Star Seed... Although the probability of a Tier-3 Star Seed becoming a Sky-Patrolling Martial Artist is extremely low, looking at historical data, there is still a sliver of hope. "More importantly, your probability of becoming an Earth Martial Artist is immensely high—over eighty percent! "That makes you well worth taking a bit of risk for." Tang Jianxin smiled faintly. "After all, they need performance achievements of their own." Fang Yu nodded to himself. The world bustled for profit, and scrambled for gain. Right now, the prospective returns on signing him had skyrocketed while the risks had plummeted... It was just like a beaten-down stock suddenly hitting consecutive upper limits, naturally drawing an influx of eager buyers. Chasing gains and cutting losses was simply human nature. It was precisely because of this that Fang Yu felt all the more grateful for Associate Professor Tang and Wang Xundao... Regardless of their underlying motives, both had offered genuine help in his hour of greatest need. "Professor, do you have any advice regarding which martial artist group I should sign with?" Fang Yu inquired. "Star Radiance Group would be best," Tang Jianxin said softly. "I am a member of Star Radiance Group myself, though only a peripheral one... You can start by signing a peripheral contract, and make a final decision later." "You're one too?" Fang Yu was taken aback. Wasn't she a professor at a martial university? "The vast majority of high-tier martial artists join a martial artist group," Tang Jianxin explained patiently. "It's just that some are formal members, while others are peripheral members... The former enjoy more benefits, but also face heavier constraints. "Peripheral members get fewer perks, but their obligations are significantly lighter. "If you sign a peripheral contract now, your development funding will be slightly lower, but you aren't hurting for money at the moment anyway. The most crucial benefits will still be there, and you'll receive dedicated protection." Tang Jianxin smiled. "Once you graduate in the future, you can decide whether to fully commit to a martial artist group or seek a post elsewhere. "In my case, I wanted to cultivate quietly and at my own pace, so I chose to come to a university after graduating. "The resources are a bit leaner, but the peace and stability make up for it," Tang Jianxin said. "I understand," Fang Yu said gratefully. "Thank you for your guidance, Professor." These seemingly trivial pieces of insider knowledge were hard to find online, yet they would prevent him from blindly stumbling through his upcoming choices. "Mm." "If anything comes up, just contact me directly." Tang Jianxin looked at Fang Yu. "Here, scan my code. Let's add each other's contact information first." "Sure!" Soon after, Tang Jianxin watched Fang Yu head downstairs and run toward the transport ship waiting in the distance. "Xia Kaishan?" "All that scheming, only to end up with this result." Tang Jianxin's gaze turned slightly chilly. "You must be utterly miserable right now." *** While Fang Yu was still speaking privately with Tang Jianxin... Far away on New Moon, in Guanghan City, within the villa where Xia Kaishan resided at Polar Star Manor No. 9, Xia Kaishan had just ended a video call with Wan Jin. "Bastard!!" "Bastard!" Xia Kaishan, who always prided himself on projecting a refined, scholarly demeanor, was consumed by roaring fury. He snarled through gritted teeth, "Tang Jianxin, you bitch, how dare you put Xiao Tao on that column!" Just moments ago, when Wan Jin reported that the members of the Scarlet Flame Squad had received commendations, Xia Kaishan had been furious, but he had still managed to retain his composure and listen. However! When he heard Wan Jin describe Tang Jianxin's other decision, he could no longer suppress the rage burning inside him. "Gu Feng's disciple? Hmph!" Flames seemed to erupt from Xia Kaishan's eyes as he muttered under his breath, "Gu Feng is dead, let alone his disciple! Just you wait! Let's see if you dare step into the Wilderness Zone! Give me one opportunity, and I'll butcher you!" Ever since he had secretly eliminated that rival top Earth Martial Artist all those years ago and retreated to New Moon for secluded cultivation, he had not been this enraged in a very long time. *Whoosh!* "Connect me to Huguang Martial University's president, Baili Jing," Xia Kaishan commanded in a frigid tone. *Beep... beep...* The call connected. "Haha, Brother Xia!" Baili Jing's voice came through the line, laced with laughter. "We haven't seen each other in years. What made you suddenly think of calling me?" "President Baili." Xia Kaishan's gaze was icy, but his tone sounded mild. "There is a small matter I need to consult you about. My nephew Xia Tao is already dead, yet he is being posted on your university's disciplinary violations column. Are you aware of this?" "Xia Tao? Ah, I know about his case." "So that little fellow was actually your nephew?" Baili Jing sounded astonished by their connection, his voice dripping with apology. "Oh my, so that's why you're calling! You should have told me earlier! "Had I known, I would have put in a good word when Sky-Patroller Ye issued the order. Now his name has to be specially featured on the column... My mistake, entirely my mistake! "I'll give that bunch under me a thorough scolding right after this. "Xia Tao had such an important connection to you, yet they didn't even inform me! What a terrible oversight!" Baili Jing spoke in a continuous torrent, giving Xia Kaishan no chance to interject. For a moment, Xia Kaishan was so cornered he didn't know how to respond. "President Baili, did you just mention Sky-Patroller Ye?" Xia Kaishan pressed. "That's right!" "Don't tell me you didn't know, Brother Xia?" Baili Jing continued in "surprise." "Today, Sky-Patroller Ye suddenly sent me a message regarding Fang Yu... Only then did I learn about what happened between Fang Yu and Xia Tao. "I was completely bewildered at the time. "In the end, Sky-Patroller Ye declared Fang Yu innocent and stated that Xia Tao's actions must serve as a warning to all students. Only then did I ask whether such an arrangement would be appropriate... Ah, look at the mess this has become. My fault entirely!" Baili Jing sighed. "Brother Xia, what do you think we should do now?" Xia Kaishan fell silent. He couldn't tell whether Baili Jing was telling the truth. Sky-Patroller Ye had almost certainly intervened; otherwise, the case could never have been overturned in such a short span of time. Yet with a Sky-Patrolling Martial Artist's lofty status, would he really bother with such minute details? Xia Kaishan was deeply skeptical, but he had no way to verify it... With Baili Jing insisting on it, did Xia Kaishan dare go question Sky-Patroller Ye directly? "Fine." "Understood." Xia Kaishan terminated the call. *** Inside the manor at Huguang Martial University. "Heh heh!" "Mad dog," Baili Jing scoffed, still reclining on his deck chair. "Wants me to do his bidding? Is he worthy? Go verify the news with the Sky-Patroller if you have the guts. "Panicking just over a posting on the disciplinary column? "Piss me off, and I'll have him immortalized in the university history's case studies of misconduct," Baili Jing muttered to himself. He didn't wish to make an enemy of Xia Kaishan. Even so, using Sky-Patroller Ye's banner to disgust the man gave Baili Jing immense satisfaction. "Messing with a mad dog seems to have brought me good luck." Baili Jing exerted a slight tug on his fishing rod, and another large fish leapt out of the lake. *** Inside the villa on New Moon. "That Baili Jing." Cold light flickered in Xia Kaishan's eyes. Suddenly... *Beep—* A communication chime sounded. Xia Kaishan glanced at the caller ID. "Answer," he said in a low voice. As the call connected, he immediately spoke: "Old He, what on earth happened? Why was there a sudden retrial and reversal of the verdict?" "It's Sky-Patroller Ye." He Chang's voice carried a hint of exhaustion. "I don't know who did it, but someone actually brought this minor matter to Sky-Patroller Ye's attention. He specifically sent down his opinion, demanding a comprehensive review." Xia Kaishan's heart sank. It really was Sky-Patroller Ye? "Old Xia, let's shelve this matter for now," He Chang said. "Although Fang Yu and his squad had no evidence proving Xia Tao's death wasn't caused by them... Xia Tao committed repeated violations of discipline and law before his death, indirectly causing the deaths of multiple martial artists. The fallout was far too severe. By common sense, he was almost certainly the one who sought out Fang Yu and his team. "That was the root reason why convicting Fang Yu and the others of negligent homicide was already so difficult in the first place. "Now that Sky-Patroller Ye has formally defined the matter, the ruling of legitimate defense is virtually unshakeable... Standard legal channels are completely blocked." He Chang lowered his voice. "If you still want revenge, I suggest focusing on the Primordial Star. In fact, that was my advice from the very beginning. Of course, you'll still need to wait a while until Sky-Patroller Ye is no longer paying attention to him. "Alright, I still have to explain things to the Minister. I'm hanging up now," He Chang said. "Alright." "Thank you for your trouble this time. I'll treat you to drinks next time," Xia Kaishan said hurriedly. *Click.* The call ended. "Sky-Patroller Ye?" "Why would a distinguished Sky-Patrolling Martial Artist pay attention to an ordinary student?" Xia Kaishan couldn't fathom it. Suddenly, his phone rang once more. It was an unfamiliar number. He answered. "Hello, Mr. Xia Kaishan. Due to the reversal of the ruling in the case associated with you, you are now required to return the compensation payment you previously received, totaling 1.7 million Star Coins. Please do so before..." an automated voice droned from the receiver. "Get lost!!" Consumed by fury, Xia Kaishan hurled the phone against the far wall. Under his terrifying strength, the phone shattered into dust upon impact, blasting a massive crater into the wall. "Alert!" "Abnormal condition detected in smart sensor equipment. Please inspect!" The villa's automated system chimed, turning Xia Kaishan's face even more livid. *** Wuling City, Shengchuan Group Headquarters. "Alright." "I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Teacher Jiang. Next time you visit Wuling, you must let me know." Wang Xundao hung up the phone and stepped out into the garden outside his office. Leaning against the railing, he gazed at the evening glow reappearing along the horizon after an autumn rain. A slight smile surfaced at the corner of Wang Xundao's mouth. "The rain has cleared and the skies are bright. What a wonderful day."