Chapter 91: The Principal Takes Action (Part 1)

“Hmph, such audacity! Do you think imperial nobility can be slain at your whim? Is there no law left in the academy?”
A chilling, heart-stopping snort echoed, and Wu Meitian was horrified to find her arm numb and unresponsive, stiffly frozen, as the ancient sword in her hand clattered to the ground.

“Enough. Let this farce end,”
The aged, authoritative voice spoke again, and with its arrival, a figure suddenly appeared in the garden—a seemingly ordinary old man.

“Grandfather Lan… Principal, is that you?”
Seeing him, Lan Bo was instantly overwhelmed with grievance, almost on the verge of tears, cursing himself for forgetting to seek out this man amidst such chaos. Wasn’t he the master of the school? To rescue Sister Mei would be but a word from him.

Le Kai watched Lan Kai with serene composure, saying nothing, yet the subtle meaning in his gaze lingered, prompting even the thick-skinned Principal Lan Kai to blush faintly, his tone deepening: “You have already killed one of them and destroyed the villa. Let this matter rest. Agreed?”
Though addressing Lan Bo, all present understood the question was meant for Le Kai.

Before Le Kai could reply, Zhang Lang’s eyes blazed as he shouted, “Principal, please grant me justice! This man trespassed on private territory and murdered my brother. Such atrocities outrage both gods and men; if not punished severely, no one will be convinced!”

Lan Kai said coldly, “Dissenters, kill them!”
Four simple words, yet they brimmed with boundless authority, quelling the crowd instantly. Even Le Kai secretly admired such unrivaled dominance.

Zhang Lang almost choked, glaring at Le Kai with hatred. Suddenly, he howled, “Even if I die, I’ll drag you with me! Le Kai, prepare to die!”
He charged like a madman, his feral expression even more desperate than a cornered beast, risking everything.

“You brought this upon yourself. Offending me, I never intended to let you live.”
Le Kai snorted coldly, casually swinging his curved blade. The blade’s light flashed, cleaving towards Zhang Lang’s waist.

If struck, Zhang Lang would surely be severed in two. But, as if resigned to death, Zhang Lang neither retreated nor dodged. Instead, a sinister smile of triumph flashed in his eyes. “Become the sword itself—nothing can withstand!”
As he spoke, something strange happened: blood gushed from his mouth, his left arm writhed grotesquely, rapidly lengthening to a meter. Before Le Kai’s astonished eyes, the arm abruptly snapped off, transforming into a sword-like appendage that shot toward Le Kai. The five fingers merged, each extending sharp nails five inches long, together forming a deadly blade.

The attack was sudden and unpredictable, its angle fiendishly clever. At such close range, in the instant of assault, the force of their movements was entwined, leaving no time for Le Kai to use his signature footwork.

Le Kai was about to be impaled, while Zhang Lang would be sliced in two. The faces of those in the courtyard paled, cry out in shock, and those outside, observing from afar, exclaimed in disbelief. Was the final outcome mutual destruction? For a moment, some marveled, others rejoiced.

“What audacity! Do you take the principal’s words for mere wind?”
Principal Lan Kai ruled the Noble Academy with absolute authority, never before so challenged. His eyebrows shot upward in rage—two martial artists, and they believed themselves above the heavens?

A shadow flickered.

To the crowd’s astonishment, mutual destruction did not occur. Both combatants lay sprawled on the ground. One was missing an arm, unconscious; the other was not much better, lying with blood oozing from his lips, clutching his chest. Before him, a strange severed arm rested quietly—his curved blade had shielded him, but he’d still suffered from the tremendous force.

“Principal, what does this mean? He attacked me, yet you saved him and ignored my life?”
Anyone could hear the fury in Le Kai’s voice. The crowd erupted in discussion.

“This wildling dares address the principal so boldly—he must have a death wish!”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen a student question the principal like this. Truly, ignorance is fearless!”
“To challenge the principal’s authority is suicide. Countless seniors have proven it with their blood—this kid truly fears nothing.”
“A lowly second-class citizen, how dare he act so brazenly before the principal? He must really have lived enough.”

Lan Kai’s expression was indifferent as he declared: “The Noble Academy exists to uphold noble interests. Though you are outstanding, rules are rules—they cannot be broken. This bodyguard dared defy my order; he must be punished. Zhang Ba, leave the Noble Academy at once, leave Azure Star. As for you, surviving such a vicious ambush is luck enough. I won’t pursue your responsibility. Otherwise, for your insolent tone alone, I could kill you right here.”

Le Kai gave a bitter laugh. “It certainly is a place of rules.”

Lan Kai frowned but did not lash out. Instead, he announced loudly: “Student Le Kai, due to special circumstances, is grievously injured. During his recovery, no one may challenge him. Any who dare will be executed!”

The principal’s voice was not loud, but it rippled outward like waves on a lake, expanding in ever-widening circles. As it spread for miles, it grew thunderous, echoing across the sky. Instantly, all factions were shaken, filled with awe and terror.

Le Kai’s name became familiar to all—those who knew wore grim expressions, those who didn’t hurried to seek information.

The principal’s wrath shakes heaven and earth! The legend was true.

Students and their bodyguards turned pale.

Le Kai’s lips twitched into a faint smile at last.

“Little one, are you satisfied with this outcome? I’ve secured you some time—the rest is up to you.” At Le Kai’s ear sounded the principal’s voice, still authoritative but now tinged with warmth. Le Kai was both awed by his power and quietly grateful.

His actions today—whether playing the fool or acting recklessly—were all calculated to create an aura of dominance. The Xi family and Hua family had yet to act, but their testers were already formidable. If even a single step was mishandled, endless trouble would follow.

Thus, Le Kai’s plan this time was to shake the mountain and intimidate the tiger, using ruthless force to scare off some threats. Otherwise, people like Zhang Ba would keep appearing. It was a warning to lesser nobles seeking favor with the two great families: he was not to be trifled with—blood would be the price. At the same time, it was a disguise, making enemies believe he was a hot-blooded youth, preserving his hidden cards.

Still, Le Kai hadn’t anticipated the principal would intervene on his behalf, nor that his power and prestige would be so extraordinary—a single sentence bought him at least one or two months of safety.

Such a presence—now that is truly formidable!