Chapter 136: Chapter 134: I’m Just That Overbearing

While still in midair, Wei Qiang coughed up a mouthful of blood. He crashed to the ground some distance away with a THUD. His body convulsed a few times as more blood streamed from his mouth. His face turned deathly pale, his eyes rolled back in his head, and he passed out.

Qin Li never showed mercy to those who tried to kill him. His eyes fell coldly on the middle-aged teacher, Liang Luo. Despite also being an Earth Level Tier Eight Martial Artist, Liang Luo was so startled by Qin Li’s icy gaze that he stumbled back several steps before roaring, "Qin Li! You—you dare to commit assault in broad daylight!"

Qin Li didn’t even bother to give him a second glance. Just then, a middle-aged man who had been standing with Liang Luo walked over to Wei Qiang and checked his breathing. He was breathing in but not out. It was clear he was done for. Even if he could be saved, he would likely be a cripple for the rest of his life.

The man first took an Elixir from his robes and fed it to Wei Qiang. Then he looked up, his gaze chilling as he stared at Qin Li. "Qin, that was an exceedingly vicious move, wasn’t it? Wei Qiang may have been in the wrong, but for you to strike such a fatal blow... isn’t that going too far?"

The students who had witnessed the entire event couldn’t help but sneer in contempt. ’Wei Qiang was clearly the one who tried to kill Qin first,’ they thought. ’All he did was fight back!’

More than that, however, they were shocked by Qin Li’s Combat Power. With that earth-shattering kick, many students hadn’t even seen what happened before Wei Qiang was sent flying.

A few people in the crowd, however, had managed to see Qin Li’s movements clearly in that instant. But while they saw what happened, none of them had any intention of saying anything.

Because Qin Li’s Body Technique was simply too bizarre! They had never seen any Martial Artist use a similar technique. And what’s more, in that split second, only a faint layer of cyan light had erupted from his body!

This... This was too unbelievable!

So, the few who were fortunate enough to have seen his movements clearly all wisely held their tongues. They also decided that, should the opportunity arise, they must get on good terms with the Cyan Dragon Kingdom’s youngest Marquis.

’Martial Artists also face bottlenecks on their path to advancement, making communication between them essential. For Qin Li to possess such power at his age means he’s destined for a brilliant future. You’d have to be out of your mind to offend someone like that!’

Qin Li couldn’t be bothered to respond to the man’s accusation. He swept his gaze over the guards surrounding the carriage, noting they were all at the peak of the Earth Level. ’It seems the Royal Family’s resources run deeper than I thought,’ he mused.

Climbing into the carriage, Qin Li spoke gently to the stunned coachman. "Let’s go."

"You can’t leave!" The man shot to his feet, pointing at Qin Li and shouting, "You premeditated the murder of a registered noble of the Empire and a lecturer at the Advanced Academy! If you leave now, there will be a royal warrant for your arrest by morning!"

Qin Li’s eyes narrowed. ’The Royal Family’s most beloved Little Princess is sitting in my carriage, and this man dares to say such things to me?’

"And who are you?" Qin Li asked coolly.

"I... I am a High Level lecturer at the academy! Qin Li, I can’t just stand by and watch you commit murder and then try to flee. Is it wrong for me to stop you? What, are you going to kill me too?" The middle-aged man stood his ground, jutting out his chin as he glared at Qin Li.

"He’s one of my elder brother’s men."

Behind him, Little Princess Zhao Qianqian’s voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz. It all clicked for Qin Li. ’So that’s it. The academy is divided into factions, too! No wonder this guy is so fixated on me. He’s trying to find some leverage to use against me in the imperial court!’

At this thought, Qin Li broke into a smile, revealing a set of pearly white teeth. But to the middle-aged man across from him, it was a chilling sight, as if he were facing a ferocious beast baring its fangs.

"I assume you know who I am..." Qin Li said, slowly advancing on the man. "Well, since you know me, do you also know what the Civil and Military Ministers at court call me?"

"W-What do they call you?" the middle-aged man stammered, a chill running down his spine as he looked at Qin Li’s ghost of a smile.

"They call me the reckless hothead, the blunt instrument!" By now, Qin Li was standing right in front of the man. "And do you," he continued, "know why that is?"

"Qin Li, what... what are you doing?" As expected, the man had clearly heard stories of Qin Li’s exploits at court. A flicker of fear crossed his face, but he forced himself to stand firm. He knew Vice Principal Bu Tong would surely show up to deal with this.

’A commotion this big is happening right below his office; how could he not see it?’ This thought gave the man a sliver of confidence. Besides, he was an Earth Level Tier Four Martial Artist. Though weaker than Qin Li, he was now concentrating on his every move. He refused to believe Qin Li would dare to do anything to him in front of all these people.

"I just want..." Qin Li began to say, then suddenly swung his arm. The crisp sound of a SLAP echoed as he slapped the man across the face, sending him flying a good seven or eight meters. The man’s body spun several times in the air before he landed, spitting out a mouthful of blood and several teeth!

"...to beat you!"

"Stop!"

The words Qin Li spat out after landing the blow rang out at the same time as a commanding roar.

Qin Li smiled coldly. ’The main event has finally arrived.’

The middle-aged man clutched his swollen face, his eyes filled with terror. He had clearly felt the killing intent in that slap—it was genuine, murderous intent, not just for show. He had no doubt that in a different setting, if they had been alone, Qin Li would have killed him without a moment’s hesitation.

’This man... he’s terrifying!’ The middle-aged man had even lost the courage to rebuke Qin Li. He could only stare, his eyes wide with horror.

Excitement was written all over the students’ faces. The two beaten teachers, Wei Qiang and the other man, weren’t very popular at the academy. Even though many of the students came from families aligned with the Crown Prince’s faction, there was no shortage of passion in youth. Faced with the teachers’ disrespectful accusations against Qin Li, even the boys who had initially disliked him now found themselves on his side.

Only a few had looks of horror in their eyes, their expressions grim. These were the ones whose families were already bound to the Crown Prince. They were privy to far more information than their peers and, as a result, didn’t see things in such simple terms.

They knew the two men Qin Li had beaten were the Crown Prince’s men. They also knew that the most powerful man in the academy, the Vice Principal, was also one of the Crown Prince’s men! Thus, they were all waiting for Bu Tong to arrive and administer justice.

Qin Li stood there as a thought suddenly struck him. Looking at Wei Qiang on the ground, the man clutching his face, and the just-arriving Bu Tong, Qin Li suddenly connected the dots. ’Could there be... a special reason why the Emperor sent me here?’

’After all, while my talent and strength are decent, my most valuable assets aren’t my teaching experience. It’s my age and my potential future accomplishments! That’s what’s truly worth investing in!’

’As for the Imperial Advanced Academy, it wouldn’t make much difference whether I’m here or not. My presence changes little.’ At this thought, his heart sank. ’Is it possible that old fox, the Emperor, wants to use me as a sharp blade to cut through this tangled mess? Because it’s already clear to me that this Advanced Academy is split into several factions. I can see it on the teachers’ faces.’

Bu Tong was genuinely furious. He’d heard of Qin Li before. Many said that this down-on-his-luck noble from the Great Qi Kingdom was indeed a genius Martial Artist, but also a troublemaker—an absolute reckless hothead. When his temper flared, he showed no respect for anyone, no matter who they were. A truly ruthless character.

But he never imagined that here, in a place teeming with the Cyan Dragon Kingdom’s elite, in front of so many gifted students, Qin Li would dare to be so vicious!

Bu Tong, however, didn’t stop to consider that it was Wei Qiang who had drawn his sword first with the intent to kill. All he saw was Wei Qiang lying on the ground, hovering between life and death.

"Qin Li, you... How audacious! Do you have any idea who you’ve just injured? They are decorated nobles of the Cyan Dragon Kingdom! They have nurtured countless talents for this nation! And you... you, a man from the Great Qi Kingdom, have done nothing! You received His Majesty’s trust for no good reason, and yet you injure his people! You..."

"That’s enough. Say one more word and I’ll beat you too," Qin Li said, his tone bone-chilling. "So, as a man of your stature, I suggest you don’t ask to be humiliated."

At that moment, Qin Li finally understood. ’The Emperor must have appreciated my willingness to fight and kill. He deliberately gave me a prestigious position and sent me to teach at the Imperial Advanced Academy, knowing full well that people would be unhappy with me, and knowing my temper...’ Qin Li let out a cold, internal chuckle. ’It’s for the best. I hope all of you think I’m just a troublemaker, a reckless hothead!’

’Because a reckless hothead is easy to control, easy to provoke!’

’Who is playing whom? Only time will tell, won’t it?’

"You... You’re infuriating!" Bu Tong had been about to say, "You wouldn’t dare," but he suddenly realized this brat *absolutely* would. There was nothing he wouldn’t dare to do!

Taking a deep breath, Bu Tong stared coldly at Qin Li. "I will take this matter to the Emperor for judgment!"

"Be my guest!" Qin Li shrugged. He glanced at the crowd of gawking students, rubbed his nose, and offered an embarrassed smile. "Sorry you all had to see that. I probably won’t get the chance to teach you now. But if... and I mean *if*... I still get the chance to hold a class, would you come?"

Bu Tong, who was in the middle of directing his men to carry Wei Qiang away, couldn’t help but stop and prick up his ears. The wave of sound that answered made his heart tremble.

"WE WILL!"

The roar shook the heavens.

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