C14 Reasonable

"Poof!"

Someone just spat out a mouthful of water they had taken a sip of.

The situation had indeed turned around, but the twist was more like a 360-degree turn worthy of a racing legend on Qiu Ming Mountain!

"Your bag and gift have been dropped off at the police station's lost and found, and the flowers were donated to the orphanage. If you have any issues, take them up with me, but please don't harm me... classmate."

Ye Rong had noticed that Zhang Yumeng was not one to get angry easily.

Her speech was usually measured and calm, so her outburst, "You've gone too far!" signaled that she was genuinely upset. She needed help.

She needed help, and if Ye Rong stepped in, wouldn't that justify enjoying his meal with a clear conscience?

So, Ye Rong stood up.

The room erupted into murmurs.

Was this guy really a serial thief? Not only stealing electric scooters but also swiping bags, gifts, and even giving away stolen flowers? People around clutched their belongings tighter. Could such a person really be at Diaton University? Did Diaton University really harbor such a disgrace?

"You're spouting nonsense!" Jiang Shi retorted angrily. He had been unable to win over Zhang Yumeng, and this moment felt like a breath of fresh air. He knew that given Zhang Yumeng's temperament, she would struggle to come up with a strong rebuttal and would likely just deny the accusations out of shyness. Maybe she would even throw herself into his arms just to get him to stop talking! He hadn't anticipated an interruption from this seemingly frail but sharp-tongued kid!

"Talking nonsense, am I? Let's find out who's the real liar here. Yuyu... has never agreed to anything with you. If you've really been with her, do you know about the mole three inches down her back?"

"Who... Who would notice that?" Jiang Shi's gaze shifted away, but he gritted his teeth. He was aware that Zhang Yumeng and Ye Rong both had part-time jobs at the library, but he hadn't realized they were close enough to be so intimate. No wonder Zhang Yumeng was showing him such concern. Now, with the mention of the mole and their recent closeness, it was clear they must know each other's bodies quite well.

Ye Rong dodged deftly, but Jiang Shi pressed on relentlessly! When facing an opponent who's lost their footing, the strategy is to steamroll them, allowing no room for recovery or thought!

"Why the shifty eyes? Feeling guilty? You should be confidently asserting that Yuyu's back is as flawless as snow, utterly unblemished. But you can't, can you? Because you've never seen it. How could you not counter if you had witnessed such beauty? You haven't just failed to see it; you've never even held Yuyu's hand! Who's really spouting nonsense here?"

"Obsessed with your daydreams, clinging on, you epitomize a loser with a deplorable character. Well, I'm here today to warn you. If you dare to bother Yuyu again, I won't be so courteous!"

Ye Rong was a paragon of integrity. When it came to assisting someone, he believed in going all the way, particularly when aiding a woman. Ye Rong was determined to ensure that his assistance was commensurate with the meal she had promised him.

"You! Well said!"

Jiang Shi felt a stifling anger trapped inside him, unable to escape. This was the first time he had been this furious. Ye Rong's words were relentless, each one striking at the heart. The accusations of harboring lewd fantasies and refusing to let go weighed heavily on him. It was as if he was just now realizing the depth of his own flawed character.

"So I'm a loser, am I? And you, a penniless country boy, dare to call me that? Haha! That's laughable. You may be bold with your words now, but I'd like to see how long you can keep that up—tomorrow, the day after, and the days to follow! Let me tell you something! You won't last at Diaton University! Better head back to your rural village and tend to the cattle!"

A brief silence fell.

Ye Rong narrowed his eyes once more.

Things were unfolding differently than he had anticipated. He had simply set out to help Zhang Yumeng with her troubles, not expecting it to turn into a matter involving himself.

A poor country boy struggling to make it at Diaton University.

Who was this person? How did he know about Ye Rong's rural family? And how could he be so sure that Ye Rong was on the brink of failing at the university?

Ye Rong was hardly a household name. It was rare for anyone to point him out and exclaim, "Ah! You're that poor kid from the countryside!"

When something is off, there's usually a reason. It seemed this guy knew something that Ye Rong didn't.

"What's the matter? Weren't you acting all tough and mighty just a moment ago? Calling me a loser? A country bumpkin? Have I hit a nerve? Cat got your tongue?" Jiang Shi felt a wave of relief seeing Ye Rong remain silent. If he hadn't gotten that off his chest, he might have exploded with frustration.

"I think it's time we talked this out reasonably."

Ye Rong stood up, gently reassuring Zhang Yumeng with a pat on her hand before letting go.

"You... be careful. He's not one to reason with," Zhang Yumeng warned Ye Rong, concern lacing her voice. Initially, she had found Jiang Shi merely bothersome, but she had respected his way of life and treated him cordially as a fellow student. However, today she discovered just how irksome he could be, marking the first time she had ever openly shown such disdain for someone.

"Don't worry. We're in the library, a place where reason prevails."

Ye Rong approached Jiang Shi and extended his hand.

"To discuss matters reasonably, we should first shake hands and come to an understanding. That sets the stage for a rational conversation."

The onlookers were baffled. These two had been at each other's throats moments ago, and now they were about to shake hands and have a civil discussion? What was happening?

The crowd was stunned. You've stolen someone's beloved, and the relationship is already complicated. How could he possibly have a reasonable discussion with you? Besides, this guy was a thief and now a bully. Clearly, he was no good. It would be odd if he could be reasoned with.

Jiang Shi was taken aback. Could this guy be out of his mind?

As Ye Rong approached with an outstretched hand and a seemingly friendly smile, Jiang Shi felt an eerie chill. It was as if he was being overpowered in terms of presence.

One should remember... a mentally ill person isn't held accountable for their actions...

But with everyone watching, how could he retreat? Wouldn't that be the same as admitting defeat?

Jiang Shi eyed Ye Rong's outstretched hand and gritted his teeth. The kid was nothing but skin and bones, and Jiang had been itching to put him in his place. Now, after witnessing his display in front of Zhao Qi, was he having second thoughts? Why would Jiang, with his towering frame, fear him? If he wants a handshake, he'll get one! I'll show him—crush his hand to bits!

Jiang Shi reached out his hand in response.

In the blink of an eye, Ye Rong's hand shot forward like a venomous snake, seizing Jiang's hand.

Coiling Snake!

The Coiling Snake was a rather unique creature within the Cultivation World.

Harmless in terms of poison, it possessed a mysterious aura. Seizing the right moment, it would spring into action, entwining its body around its prey.

Though small in size, its body was incredibly resilient. Once it coiled around an opponent, it could disrupt all bodily functions, including the flow of spiritual energy.

For those who hadn't fully mastered Flesh Forging, it posed a significant threat. Even more formidable were Coiling Snake Demons who had reached the Soulforge level, capable of entangling the very souls of their adversaries!

Some cultivators had studied the Coiling Snake's attack methods, developing the Coiling Snake Technique. This technique wasn't overly complex, and Ye Rong had mastered it as well. This time, he had merely executed a minor aspect of the technique.

Yet, even this minor move, coupled with Ye Rong's precise timing and knowledge of pressure points, rendered Jiang Shi's hand completely limp, at his mercy.

"In 15 seconds, you will lose sensation in your index finger."

"After that, every 15 seconds, another finger will go numb."

"By the time your last finger is numb, your first finger will be on the verge of permanent damage, never to regain sensation."

"Moreover, no scientific evidence can prove that I caused your hand's paralysis. We merely shook hands. And let's not forget—your hand is even larger than mine."

Ye Rong's voice was a low murmur in Jiang Shi's ear. As he finished speaking, the first 15 seconds elapsed, and as if on cue with Ye Rong's prediction, Jiang Shi's index finger began to numb.

"Don't move, don't cry, and don't scream."

"Because I have a method that can render it useless. Of course, if you're cooperative, I also have a method that can restore sensation to the hand that has lost it."

"Only I can do this."

"Then," Ye Rong's voice rose, audible to everyone, "now that we've reached a consensus, can we have a reasonable discussion?"

Chapter 12 - The Secrets of the Geniuses