A Simple Answer

Shock rippled through all the teachers of the Emperor Star Academy. They rose from their seats and turned their eyes to the arena, their expressions contorting with disbelief.

Today marked the final day of the Emperor Star Academy's ranking competition, where students from other academies were invited to observe and gain experience. But today, within the arena, two students had made an audacious attempt on Orfon's life.

How audacious! In the entire history of the Emperor Star Academy, such an incident had never occurred.

"They are indeed students of the Emperor Star Academy. How daring," the teachers from other academies remarked with a smile. Among a gathering of geniuses, pride and arrogance were commonplace, and clashes were bound to happen.

The Emperor Star Academy was renowned as the largest hub of geniuses in the entire Chu Country. It attracted many students with exceptional talents, often accompanied by obstinacy and arrogance, making them challenging to manage. Consequently, the teachers of the Emperor Star Academy were all exceptionally formidable and powerful.

In the spectator stands, older students, peers of Luo Huan and Orchon, wore smiles of amusement. "This is quite interesting, but I wonder if their strength matches their arrogance."

Janus descended from the spectator stands, fixing his gaze on Qin Wentian. He coldly declared, "In the entire history of the Emperor Star Academy, never has such an insolent student appeared."

"Well, there's a first time for everything," Qin Wentian retorted, his gaze equally icy.

"Sometimes it's better to follow someone else's lead," Fan Le chimed in with a grin. He had joined Qin Wentian's side and directed a fierce glare at the fallen Orfon. "Accidentally" stepping on Orfon's hand, Fatty twisted his foot, eliciting a pitiful cry from Orfon.

Fatty looked down and offered a mock apology. "Oops, didn't see you there."

Though he claimed otherwise, Fatty had made sure to apply full force when stomping on Orfon's hand, causing excruciating pain and nearly bringing tears to Orfon's eyes. The spectators collectively rolled their eyes at this shameless act.

"Do you see him now?" Orchon's body radiated waves of murderous intent as he advanced, eyes locked onto Fatty.

Fatty glanced at Orchon and continued to stomp on Orfon's hands with a sadistic grin. Orfon's pain was evident, nearly bringing him to tears.

"I see him, but I'm not moving," Fatty retorted, his grin unyielding. He hadn't forgotten the humiliation Orchon had subjected him to in the Dark Forest; apparently, this fatty held grudges.

"Stop," Qin Wentian commanded in a frigid tone, summoning a Heavenly Hammer into his grasp, poised above Orfon's head. Orfon's life hung by a thread.

Janus, Orchon, and the others halted in their tracks. They had encountered two madmen they couldn't afford to provoke. Despite their fury and hatred, they had no choice but to exercise restraint.

"What do you want?" Janus directed the question at the duo. It was the first time he had been humiliated to this extent by two students. As long as Orfon was rescued, he vowed that Qin Wentian and Fan Le would meet a gruesome end.

"You should ask my boss; I'm just a low-profile guy," Fatty replied with a grin, passing the ball to Qin Wentian. The spectators rolled their eyes collectively upon hearing Fatty's words. This fatty was indeed "low-profile."

Fan Le harbored immense anger stemming from their previous encounter in the Dark Forest, and now he sought vengeance with no reservations. Yet, he recognized that Qin Wentian was the root of the matter. Though they stood shoulder to shoulder on the arena, confronting an impending storm, Fan Le ultimately entrusted the decision-making to Qin Wentian.

Fatty might be "low-profile" and shameless, but he was far from being a coward. His presence in this situation indicated his readiness to face whatever consequences might arise from Qin Wentian's decision.

"This Fatty may be shameless, but he's truly loyal," Luo Huan, an astute observer, noted with a smile as she watched the unfolding drama. Just as she had developed a fondness for Qin Wentian, she found herself growing fond of the "low-profile," shameless Fatty.

Fatty, do you think that if we release Orfon, Orchon will apologize to us and let us go?" Qin Wentian inquired, a wry smile dancing on his lips as he glanced at Fan Le.

Fan Le shook his head emphatically. "Not a chance. Back in the Dark Forest, he already wanted us dead. Now, I'm pretty sure he's even more determined to kill us. Even if we begged on our knees for mercy, it wouldn't make a bit of difference."

"I think you're spot on," Qin Wentian muttered softly, causing Orchon and Janus's expressions to grow even more grim. The conversation between Qin Wentian and Fan Le had completely ignored their presence, making it clear that they had no intention of showing mercy to Orfon.

Qin Wentian's gaze swept across the crowd, ultimately fixing on Mustang. With a friendly smile, he asked, "Teacher Mustang, I have a few questions for you."

"Ask away," Mustang replied.

"If you have no personal grudge against someone, yet that person still wants to kill you, and not only that, they've almost succeeded... If you had them in your grasp, what would you do?" Qin Wentian inquired.

"I'd eliminate them," Mustang answered without hesitation.

"But what if that person's clan holds significant power?" Qin Wentian added.

"Even if I spare them, their clan's power remains unchanged," Mustang responded.

"Mustang!" Janus bellowed with rage. He understood the underlying intent in their conversation. Mustang was clearly inciting Qin Wentian, giving him the freedom to act as he saw fit.

This, everyone grasped. It was Orfon who had attempted to kill Qin Wentian and Fan Le. Therefore, regardless of the consequences, they had to step onto the stage and confront Orfon—even if it meant challenging the authority of the Emperor Star Academy.

The earlier exchange between Fatty and Qin Wentian had been meticulously planned.

To kill or not to kill, the outcome remained unchanged. So why hesitate? Just eliminate him!

Now, the true purpose of the conversation between Mustang and Qin Wentian became evident. Mustang was seeking Qin Wentian's opinion while veiling his intent behind words. However, the spectators understood the unspoken message.

Whether Orfon lived or died, his clan's power would remain unaffected, and they would undoubtedly seek retribution against Qin Wentian. This was beyond doubt, so, to Qin Wentian, it made no difference whether he killed Orfon or not.

"Mustang, the iron rule of the Emperor Star Academy explicitly forbids students from taking the life of another within the academy's confines. You're well aware of this rule. Breaking it would certainly provoke the Disciplinary Committee," Janus warned, his tone brimming with icy resolve. Mustang had dared to incite Qin Wentian.

"Qin Wentian," Mustang turned to address him, continuing, "In the history of the Emperor Star Academy, there have been three instances where students took the life of another within the academy."

"In the first case, that student was executed."

"As for the second case, the student who violated the rule was imprisoned for a total of 50 years. Afterward, he vowed never to leave the Emperor Star Academy and willingly became a staff member."

Mustang's words cast a somber atmosphere over those present. The Emperor Star Academy's ironclad rule against taking lives within its boundaries was exceptionally stringent. Any breach resulted in dire consequences. Thanks to this rule, no one had dared to commit serious misdeeds within the academy's walls.

"Fatty, suppose we release Orfon, do you think Orchon will apologize and let us off the hook?" Qin Wentian asked, a sly grin playing on his lips as he turned to Fan Le.

Fan Le vehemently shook his head. "Not a chance. Remember what happened in the Dark Forest? Orchon wanted us six feet under. Now, he's probably even more eager to see us dead. Even if we got on our knees and begged, it wouldn't change a thing."

"I couldn't agree more," Qin Wentian murmured, causing Orchon and Janus to wear even grimmer expressions. It was abundantly clear that Qin Wentian and Fan Le had no intentions of showing mercy to Orfon.

Qin Wentian's gaze then shifted to Mustang, and he flashed a friendly smile. "Teacher Mustang, I have a couple of questions for you."

"Go ahead," Mustang replied.

"Suppose you have no personal vendetta against someone, but that person is hell-bent on killing you, and they've come perilously close... If you had them at your mercy, what would you do?" Qin Wentian inquired.

"I'd eliminate the threat," Mustang responded promptly, without a hint of hesitation.

"But what if that person belongs to a powerful clan?" Qin Wentian pressed.

"Even sparing them wouldn't diminish their clan's influence," Mustang stated calmly.

"Mustang!" Janus roared in frustration, recognizing the underlying message in their exchange. Mustang was blatantly encouraging Qin Wentian, granting him the freedom to act as he saw fit.

This was evident to everyone present. Orfon had been the one who attempted to end Qin Wentian and Fan Le's lives. Consequently, they felt compelled to confront Orfon, regardless of the consequences—even if it meant challenging the authority of the Emperor Star Academy.

The earlier conversation between Fatty and Qin Wentian had been carefully orchestrated.

Kill or spare, the result remained unchanged. So why hesitate? Just eliminate him!

Now, the true purpose of the dialogue between Mustang and Qin Wentian had become apparent. Mustang sought Qin Wentian's opinion while concealing his intent behind words. The spectators, however, picked up on the unspoken message.

Whether Orfon lived or died, his clan's influence would remain unaffected, and they would undoubtedly seek retribution against Qin Wentian. This was a foregone conclusion, so Qin Wentian saw no difference in killing or sparing him.

"Mustang, you're well aware that the Emperor Star Academy's ironclad rule prohibits students from taking another's life within these walls. Breaking this rule would undoubtedly trigger the Disciplinary Committee," Janus cautioned, his tone laden with icy determination. Mustang had dared to incite Qin Wentian.

Turning his attention to Qin Wentian, Mustang continued, "In the annals of the Emperor Star Academy, there have been three instances where students took a life within the academy's bounds."

"In the first case, the student was executed."

"As for the second case, the transgressor was imprisoned for 50 years. Subsequently, they vowed never to leave the Emperor Star Academy, willingly becoming a staff member."

Mustang's words cast a somber atmosphere over the gathering. The Emperor Star Academy's strict prohibition against taking lives within its confines was well-known. Any violation bore severe consequences. Thanks to this rule, no one had dared to commit grievous offenses within the academy's hallowed grounds.