Chapter 96

While Su Ruoxue was deep in thought, more than a dozen figures rapidly shot up from the foot of the mountain. The man at the forefront, wearing a blue battle armor and with a robust build, scanned the area with his eyes. Seeing that the ice beast had been killed and that Su Ruoxue and Jiang Yi were still alive, his eyes flashed with surprise.

His face immediately turned grim, and he shouted, "What's going on? How could such a powerful beast appear here? Investigate immediately! Whoever is responsible, arrest them, and if they resist, kill them without mercy!"

The mocking expression on Su Ruoxue's lips disappeared, replaced by a cold face. She suddenly spoke, "Captain Gu, save the people first. Dean Qi already knows about this and will be here soon. The more people who die, the greater your responsibility will be."

"Yes, yes! This is indeed my fault, and I take full responsibility!" Gu Shanhe acknowledged, waving his hand. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and save the people!"

The patrol team members immediately scattered to search for and treat the injured. Su Ruoxue felt a bit better when she saw that although Qian Fu and the others were unconscious from the cold, they were not yet dead. However, the more than ten students who were initially attacked by the ice beast were already dead.

"Teacher Su, shall I send you back first?"

Gu Shanhe said with great concern, making a move to support her while glancing at a patrol member. That person walked straight toward Jiang Yi, seemingly to help treat his injuries.

"No need to worry about me. My injuries aren't severe. We can wait for Dean Qi to arrive."

Su Ruoxue replied coldly, then glanced at Jiang Yi nearby and said, "Don't worry about this student either. His injuries aren't serious. Go treat the others."

Su Ruoxue didn't dare to leave now. She was afraid that these people might secretly kill Jiang Yi. Before Dean Qi arrived, she trusted no one.

"Alright then."

Gu Shanhe awkwardly retracted his hand, his gaze shifting to the ice beast. He asked curiously, "Teacher Su, who killed this ice beast?"

"Who else could it be?"

Su Ruoxue sneered and said, "Of course, it was me. But I hope Captain Gu won't spread this news."

"Of course not!"

Gu Shanhe chuckled dryly, quickly understanding. Although Su Ruoxue's strength wasn't too great, her identity was extraordinary, and it was normal for her to have some special skills.

Su Ruoxue fell silent, her face flushing slightly. She wasn't trying to take credit but to protect Jiang Yi. If these people found out that Jiang Yi had killed the ice beast and that he had comprehended the true meaning of martial arts, they might take drastic action to eliminate him and her. After all, Jiang Yi's potential was too great, and he would be a threat to them in the future...

"Whoosh!"

Soon, a group of people from the academy rushed over, led by Dean Qi. Despite her silver hair and cane, she moved as agilely as a fox, quickly reaching the scene. Her cold gaze swept the area, and she shouted, "Gu Shanhe, you fools, how did you handle this? Take care of the situation here and then go to Dean Zhuge to confess."

After saying this, she no longer looked at Gu Shanhe and his team, instead turning her gaze to Su Ruoxue with a caring expression. "Ruoxue, are you alright? Someone, take Ruoxue back to treat her injuries."

A female teacher quickly came over to support Su Ruoxue. After scolding a few more times, Dean Qi was about to take Su Ruoxue back, but Su Ruoxue suddenly spoke, "Dean, take Jiang Yi back too. Without his help in holding off the beast, I couldn't have killed it. He has earned his merit this time."

Dean Qi looked at Su Ruoxue thoughtfully and nodded, instructing a male teacher to take Jiang Yi back to the academy.

"Bang!"

After Dean Qi left, Gu Shanhe punched a nearby tree, breaking it in half. His eyes flickered, and he coldly ordered his subordinates, "Take care of the aftermath. I'll go see the prince and the dean."

...

Su Ruoxue's guess was correct. In a luxurious pavilion in the East Courtyard, Gu Shanhe knelt before a handsome young man, his face full of bitterness. "Your Highness, I failed. And Su Ruoxue seems to be suspicious, she is very cautious around me..."

Jiang Niliu, dressed in white and with an extraordinary demeanor, showed no emotion. He calmly sipped his tea and said, "This isn't entirely your fault. I didn't expect Su Ruoxue to risk her life for the students. Given her special status and powerful secret techniques, it's normal that she could kill the ice beast in a desperate situation."

"What should we do, Your Highness?" Gu Shanhe was very troubled.

"Find some scapegoats. Do it cleanly, leaving no traces."

Jiang Niliu also felt a headache, waving his hand. "For now, don't touch Jiang Yi. Don't make Su Ruoxue completely turn against me. I must have her. Jiang Yi can't stay in the academy forever, right? The Blood Refinement is coming up soon. A gentleman's revenge is never too late."

Gu Shanhe nodded and replied, "Your Highness, rest assured. There will be no evidence. I've already had the dozen patrol team members killed on the spot!"

Jiang Niliu pondered for a moment and asked again, "How is the investigation into Jiang Yi's background going? This boy wouldn't dare oppose me without any background."

Gu Shanhe's face darkened, shaking his head. "There's been no significant progress. A powerful force is interfering with our investigation, preventing us from finding out Jiang Yi's background. I suspect it might be the Qian family."

"Investigate!"

Jiang Niliu's eyes flashed with a fierce look. "Mobilize the family's strongest members and investigate at all costs. If Qian Wanguan continues to send people to obstruct us, kill them without mercy! I want to see if Qian Wanguan has the nerve to challenge me."

...

In the North Courtyard of the academy, in Dean Qi's pavilion, Su Ruoxue's injuries had been controlled. She was arranged in a room to cultivate, while Jiang Yi was in another room to recuperate. After sending them back, Dean Qi hurried out and didn't return until half an hour later.

When she returned, she entered Su Ruoxue's room, her face full of anger. As soon as she entered, she coldly huffed, "Ruoxue, it seems we can't get justice for you. Gu Shanhe secretly killed a patrol team, and there's no evidence that they deliberately let the ice beast in. Without evidence, the dean won't listen to me. The final result is that Gu Shanhe has only been stripped of his position as patrol captain."

Su Ruoxue lay flat on the bed, covered with a thick blanket. Her beautiful face was pale, evoking sympathy. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she smiled bitterly. "I knew this would be the result. Even if there were evidence, what could the dean do to Jiang Niliu? They are life-and-death friends."

"Ah, you were too reckless this time. You risked your life for some registered students. If anything happened to you, how could I explain it to your father, the emperor?"

Dean Qi sighed deeply and continued, "Moreover, you used a secret technique to kill the ice beast. If this news spreads, it will be easy for others to guess your identity. If it alarms your enemies, you will be in great danger in the future."

Su Ruoxue smiled faintly but didn't explain. She had originally intended to tell Dean Qi about Jiang Yi's comprehension of the true meaning of killing and his role in killing the ice beast. But now she decided to keep it a secret. If the news spread, Jiang Yi would be in even greater danger. A genius who comprehends the true meaning of martial arts has an unpredictable future!

This young man, who fearlessly rushed to save her at that moment, had won Su Ruoxue's favor. She instinctively wanted to protect him, to see how far this talented and mysterious person could go.

...

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