Chapter 40

In the afternoon training session, the scorching sun beat down from above. The students, who had quickly assembled into formation at the sound of the class bell, stood on the playground, awaiting the instructor's commands from the command platform. However, the platform remained empty for a few minutes after the class began. After two minutes of tense silence, a figure finally appeared on the platform. It was not the familiar training instructor, but the one-eyed dragon, the most feared person in the entire Black Flame City. The cold and powerful aura emanating from the one-eyed dragon made all the students in the formation below as silent as cicadas in winter, unsure of what was about to happen. Especially when they saw the black leather whip in his hand, some of them began to tremble in their legs.

As a semi-military managed school, the school's punishment for students who violated the rules was extremely severe. Among all the punishments, the lightest physical punishment would have students running dozens of laps on the playground, while more serious offenses would result in flogging. The most severe cases would be handed over to the Black Flame City court for trial.

When everyone saw the leather whip in Captain Colleen's hand, they all knew that someone was about to be in trouble, and it would be a big trouble. Over the years, every time the one-eyed dragon held a whip, it meant that some arrogant individuals were about to face their comeuppance, and this rule had never failed.

Zhang Tie also stood in a formation near the command platform. Looking at the steel-like cold expression on the one-eyed dragon's face, Zhang Tie knew that what was coming was inevitable.

Regret? Zhang Tie quietly asked himself.

To hell with it! This was Zhang Tie's answer to himself.

"Griss, Sharon, Garnier, Zahir, step forward!" Captain Colleen loudly called out the names of the four students who were the most influential in the school. When Griss's name was called, all those waiting for the show could not help but be shocked. Griss? Griss? It was actually Griss and his group?

"This is going to be a good show!" The fat guy Barry, standing next to Zhang Tie, became excited and lightly nudged Zhang Tie with his foot.

Yes, it's going to be a good show, first for these guys, and then it will be my turn! Zhang Tie thought to himself...

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, the four students named Griss, with pale and frightened faces, stepped out of their formation. Among the four, the last to step out was Sharon, the one who had thrown the plate at Zhang Tie. Sharon seemed to realize something, turning his head to search for something in Zhang Tie's formation, his eyes filled with a dangerous aura.

Zhang Tie just looked at Sharon coldly. Even at this moment, he did not regret his earlier decision. For some, such a decision might be difficult and painful, but for Zhang Tie, it was simple—what kind of decision would make his parents proud? Zhang Tie had only asked himself one question, and the answer was clear.

As soon as the four students stepped out, a few school enforcement officers, without a word, stripped off their training leather armor, exposing their bare upper bodies. This confirmed for everyone that Captain Colleen was there to deal with them.

"Captain Colleen, I have the right to know the reason!" Griss, with his arms twisted by two enforcement officers, veins bulging on his forehead, shouted loudly.

"School rule 27: Every student must wash their lunch tray and return it to the cafeteria after lunch. Violators will receive two lashes. School rule 6: No student shall intentionally damage public property. Violators will receive four lashes. Griss, Sharon, Garnier, and Zahir did not return their clean trays after lunch today but instead discarded them in the small forest, violating both rules. Therefore, I have decided to give each of you six lashes. Who disagrees?" The one-eyed dragon's single eye, devoid of any emotion, stared at the four students, who were struck as if by lightning.

Zhang Tie, standing in the formation, had been carefully observing the expressions of the four students. When Captain Colleen finished speaking, Zhang Tie noticed that Griss and the others did not look at Sharon but instead turned their gaze towards his formation. Zhang Tie instantly understood that the incident at lunch was not a coincidence but a premeditated plan to embarrass him. These guys were used to being arrogant and bullying others, and they usually had some timid students wash their trays and return them to the cafeteria, which the school did not investigate. This time, Sharon seemed to have assumed that Zhang Tie would not refuse, leading to the current situation.

Realizing this, Zhang Tie felt a bit depressed, unable to recall how he had offended these guys despite being so low-key and usually avoiding them.

Looking at the leather whip in Captain Colleen's hand, the faces of the four students were not just pale but green. However, Sharon seemed to want to struggle, "Captain Colleen, I have something to say..."

Seeing Sharon nervously swallowing, Captain Colleen calmly said, "Speak!"

"After lunch, I had already handed the tray to someone else..."

"Where did you hand it?"

"In the small forest!"

"How did you hand it?"

"I... I placed the tray in front of that person!"

"In front? On the ground or in their hands?"

"On... on the ground!"

"Why did you place the tray on the ground in front of that person?"

"I... I... asked him to wash the tray and return it for us!" Sharon seemed a bit uncertain, as he was used to bullying others and now had to admit his actions in front of Captain Colleen.

"What did that person say?"

"Nothing... nothing at all!" Knowing that Zhang Tie was in the nearby formation and could come forward to expose his lie, Sharon dared not lie and had to tell the truth.

"Then what happened?"

"Then... I left..." Sharon looked at Captain Colleen, a bit lost.

"I understand what you're trying to say. Your point is that because you left the trays in front of someone, and that person refused your unreasonable request and ignored your trays, that person should be here to take the lashes for you, right? You feel wronged because the person refused your humiliation, and you believe that person should bear the consequences. If you had thrown your trays in front of me, would you expect me to take the lashes to clear your name?" The one-eyed dragon's face remained expressionless, but his calm words made the four students' faces even more pale, and they could not say another word.

"Your logic is strong, but unfortunately, you are not strong enough to turn your logic into the law and rules of Black Flame City!" The one-eyed dragon's face showed a hint of a cold smile, "So, the six lashes will still be given to you!"

...

Then, all the students in the formation began to watch the one-eyed dragon's punishment art, which was the darkest and most terrifying punishment for all the students in Black Flame City. The one-eyed dragon's flogging was known for its ability to cause excruciating pain without damaging the bones or internal organs, and he always managed to knock out the victim with the last lash, no matter if it was one or ten lashes.

On this day, all the students, like those who had just enjoyed a cold drink, felt a sense of relief as they heard 24 screams and watched the four students, Griss, being carried away by the school enforcement officers.

It was really satisfying! This was the unanimous thought of the many students in the graduating class who had been bullied by Griss's overwhelming strength.

Although his body still ached, Zhang Tie gritted his teeth and completed the afternoon training. With Griss's example, the afternoon training field saw no more shouting from Griss, and the training became even more intense. During breaks, all the students were asking each other who had the guts to make Griss and his group suffer so much. Since Griss became a second-level warrior, he had been arrogant and no one dared to challenge him, but this time, he had met his match.

The members of the Airplane Brotherhood were also excited, except for Zhang Tie and Barry. Zhang Tie was not excited but was thinking about how to face Griss's revenge. The 24 lashes on the four students would surely make them want to take revenge on him.

It seems I won't have to worry about getting enough Iron Fruit in the future! Zhang Tie thought to himself, feeling both self-deprecating and helpless.

Barry, the fat guy, did not feel much excitement either. After hearing Sharon's words about the small forest, Barry's face slowly turned serious.

After lunch, I was in the small forest, and everyone in the Airplane Brotherhood knows that. Barry is very good at reading people, and he might have noticed something from my expression and demeanor this afternoon. Zhang Tie thought that Barry might have already guessed that he was the "gutsy guy"...

...

After school, Zhang Tie asked the members of the Airplane Brotherhood to wait for him in the classroom. Then, in the classroom with only a few people left, Zhang Tie calmly announced his decision.

"What... Bighead, you want to leave our Airplane Brotherhood?" Doug was shocked, "Why? What's wrong with our Airplane Brotherhood? We're going to help you become a man next week!"

Like Doug, Sista, Shaw, and others were also shocked. Baghdad was filled with anger, his fists clenched involuntarily.

"Maybe I'm used to being alone, so please respect my decision..." Zhang Tie didn't say much, just smiled, and then left the classroom, leaving the members of the Airplane Brotherhood staring at each other.

"That bastard, I should have punched his nose again!" Baghdad punched the classroom wall, causing a piece of lime to fall off...

"We treated him like a good brother, and he spits on us..." Doug spat at the door where Zhang Tie had disappeared. "He doesn't want to be our brother!"

"What's going on?" Shaw looked around, confused.

"How can someone be so stupid to leave our Airplane Brotherhood before enjoying our coming-of-age ceremony?" Sista was deep in thought.

Lyle, meanwhile, looked at Barry, who was silent. Barry lowered his head, and everyone noticed his silence. Seeing that no one was speaking, Barry looked up and glanced at everyone.

"I had this suspicion during the afternoon training, and Bighead's actions just now confirmed my guess. You all have wronged him. Bighead is the gutsy guy who refused to wash the trays for Griss and his group, causing them to suffer. He doesn't want to bring trouble to everyone, so he chose to leave the brotherhood!"

"Trouble, you mean..." Shaw seemed to understand.

"Bighead is the one who refused to wash the trays for Griss and his group, causing them to suffer. He is the one who did it!" Barry said, shocking everyone, who were all wide-eyed and speechless. "Griss and his group will definitely seek revenge on him, and he doesn't want to drag us into his conflict with them, so he chose to leave."

Barry looked at everyone seriously, "We can expect that Griss and his group will seek revenge on Bighead fiercely. If Bighead is still a member of the Airplane Brotherhood, we will have to face Griss's revenge together, which will affect our personal safety and well-being. No one can make this decision for others. I didn't stop Bighead just now because I wanted to make this clear to everyone. If you want Bighead to stay, we will face Griss's revenge together. If you want him to leave, everyone will be safe. Think about it for five minutes, and then we will vote."

In the classroom, each member of the Airplane Brotherhood fell into deep thought...

...

Five minutes later, Barry looked at everyone seriously, "Those who agree to let Bighead stay and are willing to face Griss's revenge with him, please raise your hand!"

Everyone looked at each other, no one speaking first.

"Alright, since no one is speaking, I'll vote first. Although Bighead broke my nose and gave me a disgusting nickname, I think he is a guy with a sense of righteousness, so..." Doug pinched his nose, "I want him to stay..."

Doug raised his hand...

"Griss, a second-level warrior, is that so impressive? I will surpass him eventually!" Baghdad coolly raised his hand...

"If we give up on our brother because of a little difficulty, what will we do when we face bigger challenges? We might as well dissolve the brotherhood right away! I want him to stay!" Sista raised his hand.

"I think that guy can always do something unexpected, and I believe that a guy who can run away from the Red Scarves without hesitation won't drag us into trouble. Like today, Bighead might have some backup plan. I feel very comfortable being his brother!" Lyle shrugged and raised his hand.

"Since everyone has decided to stand together, I have no reason to back down. Besides, doesn't everyone feel satisfied today?" The slightly shy Shaw smiled and raised his hand.

Seeing everyone's eyes on him, the fat guy Barry's serious face finally broke into a bright smile, and he raised his hand, "For the Airplane Brotherhood to stand in Black Flame City, Griss and his group will be our first test. Brothers who don't face difficulties together are not true brothers. I have always hoped for a chance to test our brotherhood, and this opportunity has come!"

The members of the brotherhood looked at each other, their eyes gradually brightening. After this ordeal and the choice they made, they felt closer to each other, a warm feeling of courage and trust flowing through their chests...

"Our Airplane Brotherhood's slogan is?" Seeing the growing determination in everyone's eyes, Barry shouted.

"No cavities!" Doug shouted, then saw everyone looking at him with disapproval and shrank back.

"Let's do it again, our Airplane Brotherhood's slogan is!" Barry shouted again.

"Whoever messes with our brothers, we will mess with them together!" The students howled...

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