Chapter 61: How Come?

Yesterday, I invited Zhang Xuan for dinner, and we ended up encountering Shang Bin.

As the grandson of a revered elder and a senior teacher at the academy, he was beaten so badly; it would be strange if he didn't seek revenge! However, the academy forbids teachers from fighting privately. Could this guy have sent someone, intentionally masked, to hide here and ambush Zhang Xuan?

No wonder Shen Biru thought this way; Yao Han's attire was truly bizarre. His face was completely covered with thick white cloth, with only his eyes visible, making it clear he didn't want his true identity revealed! Most importantly, he wouldn't say anything when asked! Coupled with Zhang Xuan's words last night about not wanting her to follow him, it must have been Shang Bin, furious, seeking revenge through someone else!

Shen Biru's eyes narrowed, a cold glint appearing. This matter had arisen because of her, so she naturally couldn't stand idly by. "Do you know what crime it is to attack a teacher within the academy?" she asked.

"Attacking a teacher?"

Yao Han didn't expect this beautiful woman to ask such a question. He was startled at first, then suddenly remembered yesterday's beating of Shang Bin, and it dawned on him: "Are you that Shen Biru?" Shang Bin and Zhang Xuan's jealous rivalry over Shen Biru had led to his brutal beating, an incident he could never forget. Now, a beautiful woman suddenly appeared, claiming he was guilty of hitting a teacher. Who else could it be but her? It seemed she was here to avenge her suitor because he had beaten Shang Bin yesterday!

"That's right!" Shen Biru's face was alert. She clenched her fist, and an imposing aura surged forth. "Leave at once if you know what's good for you, or don't blame me for being impolite!" She herself was at the peak of Warrior Fifth Layer, and with her full power unleashed, she exuded an extremely formidable presence.

"Impolite? Aren't you just here to cause me trouble? What kind of excuse is that!" Seeing her prepare to attack after only a few words, Yao Han's face darkened considerably. As a dignified head steward, he commanded great influence in White Jade City, feared by all. Yet here, he was first beaten beyond recognition, and now a mere ordinary teacher didn't even put him in her eyes. He was already seething with rage. Upon hearing this, he could no longer hold back. His face sank, his fists instantly clenched, and without another word, he charged forward. As he made his move, Shen Biru's intended rebuke was choked back, and she had no choice but to meet his attack.

The two immediately engaged in combat. Although Shen Biru was only at the peak of Warrior Fifth Layer, her stamina was excellent, and her moves were exquisite. While Yao Han's strength surpassed hers, his injuries prevented him from gaining an immediate advantage.

***

"Young Master Shang, what did Elder Shang say?" On the academy streets, Cao Xiong couldn't help but ask the young man walking ahead.

"Don't worry, as long as your student wasn't willingly enrolled as his disciple, Zhang Xuan is doomed this time!" Shang Bin sneered. Early this morning, Elder Shang Chen went to the Teachers' Guild, found Elder Mo, and invited him over. As long as Zhang Xuan and that student were brought to the Study Heart Tower now, he would surely be ruined and expelled from Hongtian Academy!

"That's good. Once Zhang Xuan is expelled from the academy, Teacher Shen will surely be impressed by your methods, and it will be hard for her to leave your side..." Cao Xiong chuckled, catering to Shang Bin's wishes.

"Hmph! Biru must have been tricked by that boy's sweet talk into having dinner with him yesterday. Once he's out of the academy, I don't believe I can't win her over!" Thinking of Shen Biru, Shang Bin regained his confidence. He was an elder's grandson and a senior teacher, tall and handsome. By any measure, he was infinitely better than Zhang Xuan! A beauty like Shen Biru could only be matched with someone like him in the academy! As long as he pursued her relentlessly, who else would she like if not him?

"Then I wish Young Master Shang an early capture of the beauty's heart!" Cao Xiong flattered him repeatedly.

"Don't worry, once Teacher Shen and I are together, you'll certainly benefit..." Shang Bin was about to burst into laughter when he felt a sharp tearing pain in his injured muscles. "And after getting rid of Zhang Xuan, that Yao Han who beat me yesterday won't be let off either! So what if he's the steward of White Jade City's City Lord's Mansion? This is Tianxuan Royal City, he has no right to act wildly here!" That guy had publicly humiliated him and beaten him beyond recognition; how could he possibly let him off?

"Of course!" Cao Xiong nodded, then suddenly froze, quickly pointing ahead. "Young Master Shang, look..."

"What's wrong?" Shang Bin was surprised. He couldn't help but look up, and his pupils contracted instantly. "Isn't that Teacher Shen? Why is she fighting someone? And that's... Yao Han!"

Right outside Zhang Xuan's classroom, two people were locked in an intense battle. One was Shen Biru, the goddess he dreamed about, and the other was Yao Han, the very guy he had just finished speaking about with such bitter hatred. These two had never met before; they were complete strangers. How could they be fighting?

"Young Master Shang, could it be that... Teacher Shen found out you were beaten by this guy, felt indignant, and wants to avenge you?" After a moment of hesitation, Cao Xiong suddenly thought of a possibility and couldn't help but suggest.

"Huh? Really?" Shang Bin was stunned.

"Yes, otherwise, there's no reason for them to be fighting! Teacher Shen is gentle-natured and always friendly; she doesn't usually resort to violence—you know that. You were just beaten by that guy, and then she's fighting him fiercely. If it's not for you, Young Master Shang... I can't think of any other reason! To do so much for you, I'm sure Teacher Shen really likes you, perhaps even... loves you!" Cao Xiong said.

"She loves me?" Shang Bin's whole body stiffened, and a profound wave of happiness surged through him. Indeed, he couldn't think of any other reason why Shen Biru would be fighting this person. He hadn't expected this woman, who never agreed to have dinner with him and always seemed distant, actually loved and cared for him so deeply! She was even willing to stand firm against a Warrior Sixth Layer expert, despite being only at the peak of Warrior Fifth Layer, all for him!

"No, I can't let her get hurt for my sake!" A surge of excitement filled him, and Shang Bin felt re-energized, brimming with fighting spirit. The favor of a beautiful woman is the hardest to repay. Since she had done so much, what more did he have to hesitate about? Would he still be a man if he hesitated further?

"Teacher Shen, I'm here to help you..." With an angry roar, Shang Bin charged forward.

Yao Han was fighting Shen Biru. After dozens of probing moves, he had completely understood her attack methods and was confident he could defeat her in a few more powerful blows. Just as he was about to use his ultimate move, he heard a shout, and Shang Bin arrived.

"As expected, they're working together! Despicable, despicable!" Seeing him, Yao Han's rage flared up again. He had thought he'd misunderstood, but now it seemed his misunderstanding was utterly baseless! These two were definitely working together to cause him trouble. The more he thought, the angrier he became. He showed no mercy and viciously struck at Shang Bin.

"Huh?" Shang Bin, seemingly energized, arrived very quickly and engaged Yao Han in a blink. Shen Biru hadn't even reacted. When she saw the two fighting, she couldn't help but be startled. "Could I have been wrong? Is this person not sent by him?" As this thought emerged, she suddenly remembered something, and her pretty face darkened. "So it's a staged act! No wonder I found it strange earlier that if this guy wanted to trouble Zhang Xuan, why didn't he just rush in and attack? Why hide by the door? He must have been waiting for Shang Bin to come, so Shang Bin could play the hero and save the damsel in distress, attracting my attention. Hmph!"