Chapter 48: Can't Be So Bloody, Right?
Chapter 48: Can't Be So Bloody, Right?
Soon, Zhou Shang left quietly.
The reason he came this time was to personally check on Jiang Tian's situation and help him refine his techniques.
Only after confirming that the improvements were effective and everything was in order did Zhou Shang leave with peace of mind.
Additionally, he also brought Jiang Tian a few gifts.
One of them was a "Vegas" specially-made combat uniform inner armor, which Zhou Shang obtained through his personal connections. It was currently one of the most advanced pieces of combat gear available.
Both in terms of comfort and defense, it was top-tier.
It could effectively resist penetrating attacks.
It could weaken blunt force and impact damage.
Against level 5 attacks, it could nullify nearly all damage.
Against level 6 attacks, it could reduce damage to minor injuries.
However, at level 7 and above, its effectiveness was limited.
But with Jiang Tian's death-substitution bracelet and his current level of strength, these additional defenses greatly improved his overall survivability.
For now, with Huang Hui keeping an eye on Yue City, Zhou Shang could finally relax.
Not long after Zhou Shang left, the Yue City joint entrance examination officially ended.
All students confirmed their grades and were preparing to leave the Flame Bird world collectively, returning to Yue City via Space-Time Gate No. 15204.
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The Strange Atmosphere at the End of the Exam
As the students gathered to leave, many of them noticed that something was off.
Normally, there would be a formal award ceremony after the assessment. But this time, it was completely canceled.
The school announced that rewards would be distributed individually instead. This seemed like an attempt to downplay the importance of the exam results.
Moreover, unlike when they first arrived, the number of examiners leading the students had increased dramatically—now there were ten per school.
All of them were fully armed, weapons drawn, and wore solemn expressions.
And leading the entire team was none other than Huang Hui, the Lord of Yue City's Patrol Prefecture.
"I have a bad feeling about this... Boss Xue left first, and the atmosphere is so weird." Huang Xing muttered to Jiang Tian as they walked with the group of departing students.
Jiang Tian remained silent.
It was only natural that Xue Ruyan would leave first. After all, she was one of the main figures in this incident.
Considering the scale of the attack and the danger involved, her family would definitely take her away immediately for protection.
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The Bai Siblings' Vengeful Stares
"Lao Jiang, look over at No. 1 Middle School." Suddenly, Huang Xing nudged Jiang Tian and pointed in a certain direction.
Jiang Tian followed his gaze and saw the Bai siblings standing at the front of their group, staring at him with dark, hateful expressions.
However, Bai Zunren's face was so swollen from Jiang Tian's slap that he now looked exactly like a pig's head.
His expression was supposed to be intimidating, but in reality, he just looked ridiculous.
"Even after being slapped like that, he still seems unconvinced." Huang Xing sneered, though his tone turned serious. "Lao Jiang, you need to be careful. Watch out for their tricks."
The "tricks" Huang Xing referred to were not direct attacks—but rather the influence of the Bai family.
Since the Bai siblings couldn't defeat Jiang Tian in a fight, they would likely use their family's connections to target him in other ways.
The laws of the Tang Kingdom were strict, but the Bai family still had power.
For example, the reward for first place in the assessment was free access to the Blood Source Room for 48 hours.
The Bai family might:
Tamper with the room's allocation to give Jiang Tian inferior conditions.
Shorten his usage time under the pretense of a "miscalculation."
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Unexpected Allies Appear
"Hmph, if the Bai family really dares to resort to such petty means, just come to me for help."
A voice suddenly interrupted.
Guo Qihang stepped forward, inserting himself into the conversation.
Jiang Tian had become a celebrity in Yue City No. 14 Middle School. Although everyone was heading home, many students were still watching him closely.
Especially Guo Qihang.
Previously, he had wanted to help Jiang Tian but was too weak to make a difference.
Now, after overhearing their conversation, he immediately offered his family's support.
The Bai family was influential, but the Guo family was no small force either.
"And me, Old Jiang." Huang Xing patted Jiang Tian on the shoulder and glanced at Guo Qihang. "Our uncle is right in front. If the Bai family dares to make any moves, hmph..."
Jiang Tian smiled at both of them and nodded.
"Thank you. If there's any trouble, I'll definitely ask for help."
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Returning to Yue City
Jiang Tian and his group finally crossed the Space-Time Gate and returned to Yue City.
But the moment they arrived, many students gasped in shock.
The entire area was under heavy military lockdown.
Fully armed Star Expedition Army soldiers stood in tight formation.
Patrol officers had their weapons drawn, guarding all directions.
Hover fighters circled in the air, scanning the surroundings with bright spotlights.
"What's going on? Why is security so tight?"
"I knew something was wrong from the start... Did something bad happen during the assessment?"
"Could it be that Jiang Tian and Xue Ruyan really cheated and got caught?"
"Are you stupid? Why would cheating require a full military deployment?"
The students whispered among themselves, nervous about what was happening.
Luckily, it seemed this military operation had nothing to do with them.
After thorough inspections, the students boarded their school buses and were transported back to their schools.
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Unexpected Detainment
However, when Jiang Tian and his classmates arrived at Yue City No. 14 Middle School, they were not allowed to go home.
Instead, they were forced to stay in temporary dormitories.
Furthermore, students were being called in for questioning, one by one.
Jiang Tian was also summoned.
But when he entered the interrogation room, he was surprised to see two familiar faces waiting for him.
One was Huang Hui.
The other was Xue Xiao—Xue Ruyan's aunt.
"Nice to meet you again, young man." Xue Xiao greeted him with a smile.
Jiang Tian glanced at Huang Hui, who pretended to be unfamiliar with him and coughed.
"It seems Jiang Tian has already met Xue's family."
"As an eyewitness to this incident, you understand its seriousness. This interrogation is only for official records. However, from now on, I expect you to keep all details confidential."
"Also, Xue's family has come to thank you."
Jiang Tian nodded slightly.
Huang Hui's words were a clear signal—the real classified details were being kept secret, and Xue Ruyan had kept her promise.
As Jiang Tian was about to respond, Xue Xiao placed a bank card on the table and slid it toward him.
Her red-painted fingertips tapped the card lightly.
"There is one hundred million Tang national currency in this card..."
Before she could finish speaking, Huang Hui's eyes widened in shock, and he interrupted:
"Wait a minute! Are you seriously going to say, 'Stay away from Xue Ruyan' next?"
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(End of Chapter)