Chapter 98: Tit for Tat
Now it was really the time when you were cast aside by all others!
Lin Xun had not expected that he would encounter such treatment one day.
Looking around at those disgusted eyes and indignant faces, and those ostensibly righteous geezers on the high platform, he burst into a smile.
A big smile.
On his handsome and warm face, the smile was so dazzling in the sunlight, just like Lin’s derision at the world.
“Why do you laugh?”
All of a sudden, Yu Canglin shouted out, with a cold look on his face.
In his anticipation, Lin Xun had already equalled a prisoner. He thought that, under present situation, Lin would either argue loudly because of anger, or just kneel down, shedding tears and begging for forgiveness. But he had absolutely not thought that Lin Xun could still make a smile.
And it was a sneer so unscrupulous and so offending that even Yu Canglin couldn’t help but shout with rage.
Why did he laugh!?
The shout shocked all those present. Originally accusing and ridiculing Lin Xun, the people were all in a trance, and swiftly fixed their eyes on Lin.
Sure enough, this boy was laughing!
Seeing the smile on his face, everyone was very confused and felt it ridiculous. Immediately, they got enraged that the vicious bastard should still be able to make a smile at this point.
Lin Xun stood all alone, but he seemed to be unaware. He glanced around, and set his eyes on Yu Canglin in the end, saying, “I laugh for you are as blind as a bat, not telling right from wrong, and regard me as an unforgivable villain just by some rumours. If news on this matter spreads to the Forbidden City, every one of you will surely become a laughingstock and a disgrace of the imperial County Test!”
The voice was loud and the words were sharp, directly dragging all those present into the curse!
All of a sudden, all those present got infuriated and caused a commotion. Death at hand, he should be incorrigible. He should be slowly sliced to death!
The faces of the important figures on the high platform grew gloomier. What he just said was undoubtedly a challenge to their dignity. How could they bear to be publicly accused by such a young boy?
Even Yao Tuohai, who had been looking on coldly, frowned unnoticeably at the moment.
Compared with these people, however, Mu Wansu got quite a shock for his unbelievable audaciousness. Moreover, she again couldn’t help but speculate that this little brat finally began to fight back?
“Bold!” Yu Canglin had a grim look, exerting great pressure. Staring at Lin Xun with cold eyes, he almost failed to conceal his homicidal intent.
Were it other ordinary 13-or-14-year-old lads, they would probably have been scared out of their wits. But Lin Xun was not afraid at all.
What was more, he looked steadily at Yu Canglin, with his air bearing no trace of weakness. Unflinching, he said, “Bold? Well said! May I ask this president of Donglin School what am I guilty of?”
What was he guilty of?
All the people present felt ridiculous. The brat had just admitted it. Was he the hell going to go back on his words? So outrageous!
Before Yu Canglin opened his mouth, Lin Xun continued, “I admit I am the leader of Shuangmu Gang. But who of you have ever seen me bully the innocent people? Or who has seen me do evil?”
“No!”
Lin Xun stepped forward and said in an impassioned voice, “On the contrary, since I set up the Shuangmu Gang, I have already restrained my subordinates from doing dirty things. If you don’t believe it, you can go to the Civilian Area for a check! And I vow that I will kill myself on the spot if there is anything inconsistent with what I have just said!”
The whole place was now dominated by silence. Many people were baffled and shocked by his potent words.
What an extremely appalling vow!
His vow might not take effect, but his calmness and outright acknowledgment of being the leader of Shuangmu Gang already made him sound convincing.
On the high platform, Yu Canglin’s face darkened. He realized that the brat had previously remained silent not because he gave up resistance, but because he was in preparation for a counter-attack right now!
However, before Yu Canglin was able to make a respond, Wu Chaoqun, patriarch of the Clan of Wu, couldn’t help shouting out, “It’s so ridiculous that a gang leader should intend to claim himself guiltless!”
Lin Xun looked towards Wu Chaoqun, showing no timidity. With a sneer, he said, “I presume you are the patriarch of the Clan of Wu. I would like to ask you who it was that had contacted Tiger Lyu and rallied hundreds of people to try to encircle and annihilate me in a night several days ago?”
It caused a sensation at once. Everyone felt it was beyond belief.
Lian Fei had already looked sullen, no longer complacent or cheerful. He had been aware that Lin Xun was planning to drag the Clan of Wu into the trouble. Once Lin made it, Lian Fei would also get involved in this!
At the thought of this, Lian Fei got anxious. How came that these big potatoes were still orally arguing with the brat? Why couldn’t they just directly take this kid down once and for all?
“Don’t worry. A mere verbal statement is no guarantee. Even if he does have a silver tongue, he won’t be able to escape from my father today!”
Next to Lian Fei, Yao Susu softly comforted him, as if she had already known what he was thinking about, “And not to mention that today is the County Test Day. The whole empire is paying attention to how the County Test goes in each town. President Yu and the others won’t naturally risk everyone’s condemnation to suppress him thoroughly. Or it will give rise to quite a few troubles later when news on this matter spreads.”
Lian Fei resented, “Lin Xun that bastard must have already known this so he fears nothing at this moment!”
Be that as it might, Lian Fei had also known very well that the way to completely defeat Lin Xun would not be under his control, and it was up to those important figures on the high platform.
By this time, Wu Chaoqun’s face had already fallen. He bawled Lin Xun out, “Stop your venomous slander! If you say more of such nonsense, I’ll kill you on the spot!”
Lin Xun sneered, “You really like to bluff and bluster, uh-huh! You should be clear that today is the County Test Day and I am one of the practitioners who come to attend the County Test. As long as I pass the test, then I will probably become one future pillar of the empire. If you really dare to kill me to keep my mouth shut, well, just do it. It doesn’t matter if I die, but if this matter is known by the senior big shots of the empire, no one of you in the Clan of Wu will have an easy time!”
Kill him to keep his mouth shut!
When Wu Chaoqun heard the words, his lips couldn’t help but twitch. Only then did he get to see the cunning of this brat in front of him. Such a treacherous person was this Lin Xun that he could indiscriminately impose charges on others.
Suppose Wu Chaoqun really killed him at this moment, it would just verify everything Lin said!
And hearing the words “I will probably become one future pillar of the empire”, many people’s face turned odd.
The words sounded damn arrogant. But the point was that it was also what Yao Tuohai had said before the County Test. Moreover, they had to admit that the performance of Lin Xun was not bad, which naturally no one doubted no matter how offended they now might feel.
As the original author of the words, Yao Tuohai also had an unnoticeable twitch around his lips, but ultimately, he said no more.
Seeing the situation was somewhat out of his control, Yu Canglin frowned and said in a stern voice, “Silence! Today we are here for the County Test rather than settlement of some cases!”
It only took such a short sentence to get all those present to realize that the topic had already been shifted to the Clan of Wu. The brat must have deliberately made it. He just couldn’t be slyer!
Lin Xun did not panic, and said in a clear loud voice, “Well said, President Yu. It is the County Test that we are here for today! Then may I ask whether your rebuke about me had anything to do with the County Test?”
Yu Canglin’s face suddenly darkened, “How is it irrelevant? You are such a despicable boy who is notorious for his misdeeds, harboring evil intentions, not only graceless but also sinister. It will be totally irresponsible for us to let you pass the County Test!”
Without letting Lin Xun say any word, Yu Canglin had already said with a wave of his hand, “Come on, arrest this lad now and we will deal with him after the County Test!”
One teacher from Donglin School stepped forward instantly. It was a middle-aged man with a cold look. While he looked around, his qi was swift and fierce. Apparently, he was a strong practitioner at the realm of Gang Spirit.
It was obvious that Yu Canglin had been determined not to give Lin Xun any chance to argue at all!
At once, Lian Fei and Yao Susu laughed with a relief. Many of the big potatoes on the high platform also looked relaxed, with their eyes full of coldness.
But at this time, Lin Xun suddenly leaned back and laughed, “I have just seen through your ruse. You have already been conspiring together with the others to deliberately suppress me! Well, that’s fine. Let my sacrifice today, which will serve to uncover your hideous features!”
Lin Xun wore a determined look, seeming to have prepared for his own death.
This was the trick of retreat in order to advance. How would they dare to kill him today? They wouldn’t get away with it in case this spread.
But Lin Xun’s response had unavoidably made other people feel rather suspicious. Couldn’t there be any special stories behind what was happening here right now?
Lin’s words couldn’t be more malicious. With his heart sinking, Yu Canglin found himself stuck in a dilemma.
He couldn’t help but regret. Had he known this earlier, he would have immediately had Lin captured at the moment when he began to reprimand him just now. If so, Lin Xun wouldn’t have had the chance to open his mouth!
Obviously, it was no use regretting now.
Many important figures of Donglin Town, including Wu Chaoqun, also looked displeased now. If the news that they had hounded a practitioner who was here for the County Test to death in such an important event spread, they would be in great trouble afterwards.
And Lian Fei again burst into inveterate hatred. Lin Xun, like a dead pig that was not afraid of the boiling water, just couldn’t be more detestable!
At this moment, the atmosphere of the whole place got rarely quiet.
All the eyes focused on Lin Xun, expressing a complex emotion which was made of astonishment, perplexity, hatred, suspicion, gloat and admiration; but most of them showed disgust.
However, Lin Xun seemed to be unaware of all this. He had resolved to risk everything. He knew he was far less competent to fight against those old guys. He had to admit it. A man must at first have a good understanding of his own ability before he stood up against the reality.
For now, the reality was that no one could help him except himself. And it would always be he himself that could come to his aid!
If Lin Xun didn’t offend Wu openly, there would be no possibility for him to leave there safe and sound today. As for the County Test, it no longer mattered.
This might just be why it was unfortunate to be a nobody.
No matter how unwillingly, Lin Xun still had to admit that, at least till now, he was just a nobody.
All power he had currently owned was still too weak compared with that of those important figures here, so he could only gamble; and gamble with his own life!
Even if he were to die, he would drag as many as possible down!