A Very “Lame” Joke

Qin Wentian could clearly sense the hostility emanating from the Elder who spoke. He had no interest in anything related to the Royal Academy, but they had audaciously claimed his painting as their own?

Contrary to expectations, he didn't retreat but instead advanced further. He responded with a grin, "Of course, I have no problem stepping back. However, I'd also like to take back the painting that belongs to me."

"Your painting?" The Elder who had received the painting from Xue Yuan stared at Qin Wentian, his disbelief evident.

"Yes, this painting is mine," Qin Wentian pointed at the artwork, his tone resolute.

As the words left his lips, they failed to incite the expected commotion. The spectators were merely mildly surprised, their gazes fixed on him. He was claiming that the painting on display at the Royal Academy's gallery was his own. Was this some kind of jest?

If it truly belonged to him, the Royal Academy would have treated him as an esteemed guest instead of asking him to step aside. This seemed to insult the Royal Academy's intelligence.

His statement wasn't funny; it was bordering on absurd.

"That's yours? You're the inscriptor?" The Elder sarcastically quipped, as if this were the most ludicrous thing he'd ever heard.

"Yes," Qin Wentian affirmed without a hint of deception. This painting was undeniably his creation.

"You..." The Elder was taken aback by Qin Wentian's straightforward confirmation. His face, typically marked by youthful handsomeness, now bore an incredulous expression. The crowd's reactions became increasingly intriguing. Could it be that this painting was actually his?

The Elder pondered Qin Wentian's words, his own expression growing odd. Qin Wentian's countenance remained sincere, and he spoke with unwavering conviction. However, he had borrowed this painting directly from Xue Yuan, who had no apparent connection to Qin Wentian. If that were the case, when had this painting become Qin Wentian's? What was even more absurd was Qin Wentian's claim that he had created it himself.

"Are all Emperor Star Academy students as shameless as you?" The Elder asked, dripping with derision.

Although Qin Wentian held an esteemed status within the Emperor Star Academy, he was currently in the Royal Academy's territory. With his audacious claims, he seemed to be inviting humiliation.

Despite this, the crowd's gazes held a glimmer of fascination. This fellow was quite intriguing.

"Little fellow, I've heard rumors about you," began a grandmaster weaponsmith beside the painting. He addressed Qin Wentian in a lecturing tone. "You're the young genius, a 3rd level inscriptionist grandmaster from the Divine Weapon Pavilion. However, do you truly understand the significance of this Human-shaped Divine Imprint? Creating such a heaven-defying Divine Imprint is a monumental task. Even 3rd level Divine Inscriptionists with countless years of experience would find it extremely challenging. You should wake up from your delusion."

As this person spoke, many weaponsmiths in the gallery hall displayed expressions of deep respect. This elderly man was indeed a 3rd level Divine Inscriptionist, holding a highly esteemed position in the world of weapon forging.

Beside the painting, Mu Rou couldn't help but feel a bit downcast. What exactly was Qin Wentian trying to accomplish here?

She stepped closer to him, gently tugging at his sleeve as she whispered, "How about we take a walk outside?"

Qin Wentian turned his gaze toward Mu Rou and responded earnestly, "This painting was genuinely created by me. Moreover, it's the birthday gift I had prepared for you."

Mu Rou was stunned. She looked at Qin Wentian's serious expression. He wasn't joking. She knew Qin Wentian well enough to understand that he wouldn't joke about such matters.

Could it be that what he said was true?

The painting that had caused such an uproar, even within the world of revered weaponsmiths, was actually a gift intended for her birthday?

Mu Rou found it difficult to believe, but as she considered Qin Wentian's words, she gradually started to trust him. However, as Qin Wentian's words reached the ears of the crowd, everyone assumed it was a joke. Such an extraordinary creation given as a birthday gift?

"What nonsense. A birthday gift? Absolutely absurd," an Elder scoffed disdainfully. Qin Wentian's words were becoming increasingly laughable.

"Boy from the Qin Clan, if you're going to lie, at least come up with a more convincing story," a familiar voice chimed in. Qin Wentian turned to see Murin from the Star River Association.

"With people like you, even looking at your face feels like a waste of time," Qin Wentian retorted. Every time he saw Murin's smug and self-important demeanor, he couldn't help but think of the sinister soul that once inhabited Murin's body. Given the choice, he wouldn't spare a glance at Murin. With his current abilities, he couldn't yet make Murin pay for his past actions, so there was no reason to subject himself to Murin's presence.

Murin's expression turned icy upon hearing Qin Wentian's words. He retorted coldly, "Disrespecting your elders, it's clear the Qin Clan has impeccable manners. No wonder they produced a traitor like Qin Chuan."

Murin's words were even more malicious and venomous than Qin Wentian's earlier statement.

"I wonder who it was that lured me and my clan members to the Star River Association with lies, then betrayed my family to the Ye Clan, and coveted the Divine Imprints in the possession of his previous assistant," Qin Wentian began, his voice cutting through the tension. "It's truly baffling to imagine that someone like you would also crave the respect of others. I'm genuinely curious about how thick your skin is."

Qin Wentian shook his head, refusing to even spare a glance at Murin.

Murin's brows furrowed tightly, and the crowd around them grew more intrigued by the unfolding drama. However, the Elder from the Royal Academy spoke up once again.

"I don't care how the Emperor Star Academy taught you, but this is the Royal Academy. We don't welcome unruly individuals like you," the Elder declared, looking directly at Qin Wentian. "Leave!"

The Elder's tone carried an unmistakable note of authority. Despite his years of teaching, he had never encountered such an audacious student, especially one from the Emperor Star Academy.

"Well, I would love to leave," Qin Wentian replied, maintaining his serious demeanor. "But the problem is, without my permission, the Royal Academy dared to display my painting in public and now wants to chase me away."

Qin Wentian's words caused an uproar among the Royal Academy students. Anger-fueled insults were hurled his way. "This is the first time I've met someone so shameless!"

"If I were him, I would have run away as far as possible."

Unfriendly comments flowed from the crowd. After all, they were in the Royal Academy, and this kind of behavior was highly unusual.

To Qin Wentian, this place was a symbol of hostility.

"Do you really want me to personally make you leave?" the Elder threatened, advancing with an imposing aura.

However, to everyone's surprise, Qin Wentian burst into hearty laughter. A brilliant smile graced his face.

"The Royal Academy represents the prestige of the Royal Clan. It's the second most esteemed martial academy in the Royal Capital of Chu, after the Emperor Star Academy," Qin Wentian remarked, locking eyes with the Elder. "I had thought the Royal Academy would have greater magnanimity, but it appears I was mistaken. Rest assured, the truth will come to light soon. Let me warn you, the more you act like this, the more the Royal Academy's reputation will be tarnished."

Qin Wentian's unwavering resolve and steel-like determination began to sway the hearts of the spectators. He had no reason to fabricate a story here. Could everything he said be true?

"The Sky Transport Network has already launched an investigation. I'm confident we'll have answers soon," Qin Wentian declared.

"What nonsense," the Elder scoffed, dismissing the idea that the Sky Transport Network had any relevance to this situation.

However, just at that moment, several figures approached. They were representatives from the Sky Transport Network.

As they approached the front of the crowd, the representatives from the Sky Transport Network couldn't help but mutter curses under their breath. They found themselves involuntarily scolding the Royal Academy for its sheer incompetence. How could they mess up such a straightforward task? If the painting had been delivered to Mu Rou as instructed, none of this embarrassing spectacle would have occurred.

Given the current situation, if they revealed the truth, where could the Royal Academy possibly hide its face?

"Elder, um, may I interject?" The Sky Transport Network's representative addressed the Elder, whose brow furrowed. This situation was beginning to seem quite peculiar.

"Just state your business openly. I hired the Sky Transport Network to deliver a gift, and now this incident has transpired due to your negligence. Are you implying you want to handle this quietly behind closed doors?" Qin Wentian spoke calmly as he observed the Sky Transport Network members.

The Elder let out a disdainful snort. He turned to the Sky Transport Network representative. "Say what you need to say. No need for secrecy."

The representative appeared somewhat uncomfortable. He bowed apologetically to both Qin Wentian and the Elder before explaining, "In this matter, the fault lies with my Sky Transport Network."

The crowd stirred as they watched the unfolding scene. It seemed increasingly likely that there was a problem with the painting's origins.

The Sky Transport Network took the initiative to apologize to all parties involved, living up to its reputation as one of the Chu Country's top three companies.

"Elder, did this painting come from a Royal Academy student named Xue Yuan?" the representative asked.

"Yes," the Elder replied with a furrowed brow, nodding in confirmation.

"In that case, there's no doubt that the true owner of this painting is Qin Wentian from the Emperor Star Academy," the representative continued, once again bowing apologetically to the Royal Academy's Elder.

However, nobody paid much attention to his apologies anymore.

His words, delivered with the force of a cannon blast, shattered the prevailing silence and sent shockwaves through countless hearts.

Was this some sort of joke?

If it was, it was painfully unfunny.

The entire situation was almost too dramatic. Where could the Royal Academy possibly hide its face now, especially after the Elder had so confidently and vehemently dismissed Qin Wentian's claims as nonsense?