Chapter 97

Mumu Su clearly noticed the inconsistency in the list. After a brief hesitation, she spoke up, "Dean Yu, Lin Xun seems to meet the criteria as well."

Her words were already quite polite, and she believed Yu Canglin would understand.

However, after hearing her words, Yu Canglin's expression became somewhat strange. He glanced at Mumu Su and said in a stern voice, "I am aware of that."

Mumu Su was taken aback. Looking at Yu Canglin's expression, she felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

She scanned the surroundings and immediately noticed that whether it was Wu Chaoqun or some of the prominent figures from Donglin City nearby, their expressions seemed off, as if they were gloating, or as if they had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Mumu Su's heart sank, realizing that she might not only have failed to help Lin Xun but might have caused him some trouble instead.

Sure enough, the next moment, Yu Canglin's expression turned serious and stern. He said in a solemn voice, "I'm sure everyone is curious why Lin Xun, whose test scores were quite good, did not make it to the list of those who passed the prefectural examination?"

The dignitaries on the high platform all nodded in unison.

Even Yao Tuohai, who was sitting in the central position, showed a listening expression.

On the square, the young men and women who were waiting for the additional test were all taken aback by this, feeling puzzled. What was wrong with Lin Xun?

They didn't understand the reason.

But Lian Fei, Yao Susu, Yang Qun, and others understood. Their expressions immediately became excited, and they looked at Lin Xun in the crowd with a sense of triumph, as if they were waiting for a good show.

Lin Xun sighed inwardly. As he had expected, the retaliation from his opponents had already begun!

He didn't blame Mumu Su. In fact, when he heard Mumu Su speak up for him, he felt quite gratified. He knew that although she didn't like him, in matters of principle, Mumu Su could still act in such a way, which was quite commendable.

At this moment, Yu Canglin was standing on the high platform, speaking with righteous indignation, "To be honest, this young man, though talented, has many stains on his character. Not only is his conduct despicable, but his methods are also vicious and his intentions corrupt. Such a person does not deserve to participate in the prefectural examination!"

His words were blunt and direct, though not a single dirty word was used, they became even more piercing when spoken by Yu Canglin, the dean of Donglin Academy.

The entire venue was in an uproar.

Not only were there prominent figures from Donglin City who had come to witness the ceremony, but also many teachers from the academy and over two thousand cultivators participating in the prefectural examination. When they heard Yu Canglin's harsh evaluation of a young man, the shock was immense.

This must be true. With Yu Canglin's status and position, would he need to personally defame a young man?

What vicious and corrupt methods!

If it weren't for the setting, Lian Fei would have been eager to praise Yu Canglin loudly. Yu Canglin's words struck a chord with him, making him feel extremely excited.

Yao Sisu's face was filled with a radiant smile. She whispered, "I told you, this guy has a dark aura today, and a bad omen on his forehead. He's bound to have a disaster!"

Lian Fei couldn't help but laugh, feeling extremely pleased. This was the golden word of the dean of Donglin Academy. Lin Xun, a nobody from the civilian district, was now effectively dead in the prefectural examination!

Lin Xun didn't speak and paid no attention to the uproar. He looked at the high platform, at Yu Canglin, who appeared to be a righteous avenger, and the various expressions of the prominent figures from Donglin City. He felt a deep hatred. Using these baseless excuses to tarnish his reputation, these old scoundrels were truly vicious!

If such an evaluation were to spread, even if Lin Xun had the chance to participate in the provincial examination in the future, he would inevitably be affected by it!

In other words, if Lin Xun couldn't refute this evaluation, his future prospects would be severely hindered, and he would be ridiculed and mocked with this fabricated bad reputation!

"Dean Yu, what do you mean? Criticizing a participant in the prefectural examination in public is unbecoming."

Before Lin Xun could react, Mumu Su couldn't help but ask. She had already made one mistake and wouldn't make another.

Yu Canglin waved his hand and said, "Miss Mumu, please calm down."

He then scanned the entire venue with a piercing gaze, finally locking onto Lin Xun. "Since I say this, I have ample evidence to prove it. With my status, I have no need to frame a young man."

The uproar in the venue subsided. From their expressions, it was clear that they already believed a large part of what Yu Canglin said, even before he presented any evidence.

This was the power of influence. Compared to Lin Xun, who was unknown to most, Yu Canglin was a well-known figure in Donglin City, not only the dean of Donglin Academy but also one of the few Spirit Sea Realm cultivators in the city!

Who would dare to question the words of such a person?

"Lin Xun, I ask you, are you the leader of the Shuangmu Gang in the civilian district?"

Suddenly, Yu Canglin shouted, his voice like a thunderclap.

Shuangmu Gang?

Many in the venue were puzzled, but those who knew about it were shocked. The information quickly spread, and soon everyone understood that the Shuangmu Gang was a notorious criminal organization in the civilian district, which had recently gained a bad reputation by merging with over a dozen other gangs!

Such criminal organizations engaged in all sorts of underhanded activities, and there were no good people among them.

Many in the venue were well aware of the chaos and filth in the civilian district. Although they knew there were many criminal organizations there, the impact was different when it was openly discussed.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lin Xun remained silent for a moment before nodding, "Yes."

The venue was in an uproar. No one expected Lin Xun to admit it! Wasn't this confirming what Dean Yu Canglin had said?

Even Yu Canglin didn't expect Lin Xun to admit it so readily, which surprised him. But he quickly dismissed it.

In his view, Lin Xun was still too young, and his reaction was simply a result of being intimidated by his authority, not daring to resist further, and showing some sense of the situation.

"Then I ask you, were you the one who incited those criminals to cause a disturbance at the gate of Donglin Academy yesterday?"

Yu Canglin shouted again, his eyes like lightning, his authority even more intimidating, as if he were interrogating a prisoner.

Many who didn't know the truth were once again in an uproar. The disturbance at the gate of Donglin Academy yesterday had spread throughout the city. Who would have thought that it was orchestrated by a young man?

If this were true, wouldn't that mean the disturbance was actually a conspiracy?

At this moment, Lin Xun's expression didn't show any panic. He looked directly at Yu Canglin on the high platform and said, "Yes."

Seeing Lin Xun admit it again, even Mumu Su couldn't sit still. She was extremely anxious. This little brat had always been cunning and deceitful. Why was he so meek today? Didn't he realize that once he admitted it, not only would he fail the prefectural examination, but he might not even leave Donglin Academy today?

Mumu Su's mind was in turmoil, and she was at a loss. The prominent figures of Donglin City were all present, and even with the support of Shidingzhai, she couldn't control the situation.

Compared to Mumu Su, Wu Chaoqun's expression was serious, but his eyes were filled with unhidden satisfaction. Lin Xun was still too young and no match for them.

At this moment, Yu Canglin withdrew his gaze from Lin Xun and said in a solemn voice, "Now, do you understand why I said those words earlier? I refused to include his name on the list of those who passed the prefectural examination for this reason."

The prominent figures of Donglin City on the high platform all nodded. Yao Tuohai, sitting in the central position, didn't say anything, but his silence indicated his tacit approval.

At this moment, Yu Canglin sighed, "Originally, both I and Lord Yao considered that this young man, though young, still had a chance to reform. Therefore, we planned to let him participate in the additional test. If he performed well, we might have given him a chance. Unfortunately, I doubt many here would agree even if I wanted to help him."

A strong sense of disgust rose in Mumu Su's heart. Yu Canglin had clearly planned everything, yet he still put on a righteous facade, which was too hypocritical. She never thought the dean of Donglin Academy would be such a person.

Regardless of what Mumu Su thought, as soon as Yu Canglin's words fell, the venue erupted in a chorus of excited voices.

"Absolutely not! This young man is corrupt and full of filth. He must not be allowed to participate in the prefectural examination!"

"Right! Such a villain, already so vicious at a young age, will surely bring disaster to the world if he grows up!"

"Not only should he not be allowed to participate in the prefectural examination, but he should be arrested and severely punished to set an example!"

Young people are easily swayed, especially when it comes to someone unrelated to them, and they become even more reckless.

The venue was filled with angry shouts and accusations.

The young men and women on the square, who were participating in the prefectural examination, all distanced themselves from Lin Xun, showing a look of disdain and righteous indignation. The vast open space was left with only Lin Xun standing alone.

Seeing this, Mumu Su felt a sense of helplessness. She sighed inwardly, wondering why Lin Xun had become so foolish today.

What was supposed to be a prefectural examination had turned into this. Who could believe this was just a coincidence?

This was clearly a carefully planned setup. With the intelligence Lin Xun had shown in the past, could he not see through it?

Lian Fei laughed with excitement, and Yao Sisu stood up straight, proud and satisfied. This outcome gave them a sense of catharsis.

On the high platform, Wu Chaoqun and Yu Canglin looked at Lin Xun as if he were already a dead man. Yao Tuohai remained silent, his thoughts inscrutable.

On the square, the crowd was in an uproar, and the angry shouts and accusations continued to echo.

At this moment, from all sides, the criticism and condemnation were all directed at Lin Xun.