C8 I Don't Need Any Leeway

As Ye Luo was on the verge of settling in, a voice suddenly echoed from not far away, and a group quickly approached. At the forefront was Chen Chaohui, the principal of Linhai City. Alongside him were Xie Weiping, the academic director, and Wang Wei, the grade leader, among other high-ranking school officials.

Zhu Jian's expression transformed into one of sheer relief at their appearance, as though he had seen a savior. The despair in his eyes was replaced by a flicker of hope. "Principal, save me! Please, save me quickly! Someone is trying to kill me!"

"Ye Luo, watch out, the principal has arrived," Hsu Danian cautioned, his worry evident. He knew all too well the close relationship between the principal and Zhu Jian and understood that, regardless of the circumstances, it would likely be Ye Luo who suffered.

"Let him go at once! To attack your classmate with such brutality within the school is completely lawless! Release him now—didn't you hear me?" Chen Chaohui roared at Ye Luo.

Though he postured confidently, Chen Chaohui was aware of the gravity of the situation. Zhu Jian's father, Zhu Chengrong, was the major financier of the school. If the son of such a prominent figure was attacked on campus and the matter wasn't resolved appropriately, Chen's position as principal could be jeopardized.

Ye Luo turned, his eyes sweeping over Chen Chaohui and the rest with disdain and icy detachment. Zhu Jian, a scourge upon Linhai University, had been allowed to bully and intimidate with impunity, thanks to his father's status as a school director and the protection of these very officials.

"You leaders certainly got here fast," Ye Luo said with a derisive sneer. "But where were you when Zhu Jian and his gang of over twenty students ambushed Hsu Danian and me? Now you suddenly appear, all high and mighty. How convenient!"

The leaders, stung by Ye Luo's sharp retort, couldn't help but redden with shame. They had known about Zhu Jian's hunt for Ye Luo all over the campus. To them, Zhu Jian clashing with Ye Luo was a trivial matter, easy to handle and explain away, given Ye Luo's lack of influence and Zhu Jian's powerful background. But what to do when the situation was reversed?

"If you were absent before, why show up now?"

Ye Luo's statement rendered them speechless—they certainly couldn't concede that it was because Zhu Jian was allowed to hit them, but they weren't permitted to retaliate.

"Ye Luo, you're breaking the law. This is intentional homicide, and you could end up in jail for it. How dare you try to rationalize your actions? I've already alerted the police. Release him immediately!" Xie Weiping, the disciplinary director, furiously scolded.

Unmoved by Xie Weiping's ranting, Ye Luo didn't even bother to turn his head. Xie Weiping was a typical opportunist, always eager to ingratiate himself with the Zhu family, who wielded considerable influence at the school. To be honest, Ye Luo didn't even feel like wasting his breath on him.

Seeing Ye Luo's lack of reaction, Xie Weiping was livid with anger, yet he dared not resort to violence, as the twenty or so people sprawled on the ground served as a harsh reminder of what would happen if he did.

"Ye Luo, no matter what your reasons are, hitting someone is always wrong. You still have a chance to rectify this. Let him go, and there might be room for resolution. Otherwise, I'm afraid it's all over," Wang Wei, the head of the grade, implored, his gaze locked on Ye Luo's foot hovering over Zhu Jian's leg, fearing any rash action.

"Really?" Ye Luo replied with a slight smile. "But I don't need any room for negotiation."

With that, he stomped down, and a sharp crack echoed throughout the room. Everyone heard it distinctly—Zhu Jian's leg bone had been crushed.

A collective gasp filled the air.

Ye Luo was ruthless. Despite the principal and others being present, ready to negotiate, he decisively broke Zhu Jian's leg. The act was shockingly cruel.

Was he not at all concerned about the consequences?

"Good, very good! You've got guts!" Xie Weiping shouted angrily. He turned to Principal Chen Chaohui and said, "A student like Ye Luo, who blatantly disregards the law, must be expelled. We'll turn him over to the police, see to it that he's prosecuted, and make him pay for his actions! Otherwise, how can we justify today's incident to our teachers, students, and the parents of those he's injured? I recommend..."

"Smack!"

In the middle of Xie Weiping's vehement diatribe, a loud slap rang out, sending his glasses flying from his face. Before he could react, he felt a tight grip around his neck, and suddenly, he was lifted off the ground.

"Xie Weiping, my disdain for you doesn't give you license to provoke me endlessly. If you're itching for broken bones, I'm happy to accommodate you."

Xie Weiping was stunned, his face flushed red as he gasped for air. He had never expected Ye Luo to lash out so suddenly, especially since he was the esteemed head of the Education Bureau, a figure who commanded respect and fear from all students.

"I don't want to hear a word from you. If I hear as much as a whisper or a grunt, I'll break your limbs!"

With that, Ye Luo hurled Xie Weiping, who landed with a thud four or five meters away.

Xie Weiping grimaced in pain as he hit the ground, but he bit his lip, remembering Ye Luo's threat, and didn't dare make a sound.

The crowd was astounded.

Students from Linhai University had gathered, and no one had foreseen that Ye Luo, usually so reserved and frequently bullied without fighting back, would show such wildness today.

After confronting Zhu Jian and now the education director, he seemed utterly unrestrained.

Among the students, one in a purple dress watched Ye Luo with a spark of interest in her eyes.

"Ye Luo?" she repeated quietly, etching the name into her memory.

After Ye Luo had thrown Xie Weiping, a tense silence enveloped the crowd. No one dared to challenge him, obviously not eager to end up like Xie Weiping.

Finally, Principal Chen Chaohui stepped forward to speak.

Taking a deep breath, he addressed Wang Ping with a serious tone, "Can you tell me what happened here? Why did a conflict break out between Ye Luo and Zhu Jian? You were present; do you know the details?"

With the crowd of students watching, Principal Chen Chaohui knew he couldn't appear weak. He had to assert his authority, even if it meant putting on a brave face. Asking Wang Ping for her account also gave him a way to save face.

"Yes, that's right, Little Ping. Tell them it was Zhu Jian who was looking for trouble with Ye Luo all over Linhai City. They were the ones who attacked first, and Ye Luo was simply defending himself," Hsu Danian chimed in, looking to Wang Ping. Depending on her testimony, even if the police were to get involved, Ye Luo might be justified in claiming self-defense. Otherwise, with so many people injured, he could very well end up in jail.

"Really?" Chen Chaohui glanced at Wang Ping and reassured her, "Don't be afraid. You have to believe that our society values reason. Not every issue can be settled through force."

"I..." Wang Ping's gaze shifted from Ye Luo to Zhu Jian, who was sprawled on the ground, his face contorted with bitterness. She spoke with a tremulous voice, "I saw Ye Luo and Zhu Jian exchanging words, but I don't know what about. Then they started fighting. Whether Zhu Jian came looking for Ye Luo with backup, I'm not certain."

"What?" Hsu Danian was taken aback by Wang Ping's statement. She was claiming ignorance? Clearly, she was telling a bald-faced lie.

"So, who initiated the fight? Was it Zhu Jian's group or Ye Luo?" Chen Chaohui inquired further.

"Yes, from what I observed, Ye Luo was the first to throw a punch," Wang Ping admitted reluctantly. Despite Ye Luo's formidable combat prowess earlier, Wang Ping knew that ultimately, society is not governed by physical strength. No matter how good a fighter one is, can they really outfight a bullet? Can they outpower money?