Chapter 107: Conspiracy Within the Academy

Academy.

The Sage's Office of the Vital Theory School.

Clearly class had ended, but Nafis's office was still brightly lit, and the table was already laid out with all kinds of delicious dishes.

A boy wearing a wolf-head hat and Luo De were sitting face to face at this moment.

Saino hadn't expected.

That he would suddenly gain a little junior disciple, and moreover an old acquaintance.

Just as when they first met, he examined Luo De from head to toe, carefully and thoroughly once again.

"From now on, should I call you Senior Saino?"

Luo De felt a bit creeped out being stared at; his expression was a little unnatural when he greeted.

"Hmm, it looks like that's the case."

Saying that, Saino stroked his chin, stood up, and began circling Luo De.

He went around twice.

He suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Indeed, that person at Kawanyi last time was you."

"Huh?"

Luo De's heart jolted: "Senior Saino, what do you mean by that? What do you mean 'the person at Kawanyi last time was me'?"

"Adefi, Xia Mi Ya, do I need to say more?"

"Say it again."

"Later I checked all the experts present at Kawanyi that day, and the only unfamiliar face was yours—who else could it be?"

Saino narrowed his eyes, and his tone gradually turned cold.

"."

"Back then you had already deemed me innocent."

"My appearance there was purely coincidental, just a coincidence!!"

Indeed he was talking about this; Luo De had no choice but to latch onto the fact that Saino hadn't arrested him on the spot to defend himself.

"A coincidence? Really just a coincidence?"

"Really, it's just a coincidence!"

"Like how there's always a river under a bridge, that kind of coincidence?"

"., I"

Luo De suddenly went blank, not knowing how to respond to Saino's remark.

How did this guy manage that?

He can whip up a pun and crack a cold joke anytime, anywhere.

"How's that, not funny?"

I don't know if everyone's already used to his deadpan reactions to his cold jokes, but looking at Saino's expression, he seems to want to properly explain the joke he just made.

Seeing this, Luo De could only wave his hands repeatedly, saying, "Funny, funny, I get what you mean, you don't need to explain further."

At the same time he let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately.

Saino is such that, as long as he's willing to tell you a cold joke—though his cold jokes are a kind of torment—it shows he's currently in an extremely relaxed state.

Only when he trusts the people around him deeply will he show this.

Perhaps at first he really was suspecting himself, wanting to trick himself.

But since he's started telling cold jokes, that indicates he's no longer doubting himself.

Suddenly.

Seeing Saino open his mouth, it seemed he had something else to say.

Luo De hurriedly interrupted him: "Right, I'll go check if Senior Tinari has arrived."

Having said that.

He then left the Sage's Office at top speed, and like fleeing a plague god, he ran straight out of Ameli Duo Academy, finding a quiet spot where he could still see people coming and going.

Today was a banquet deliberately set up by Nafis and Jules.

The purpose was to let Luo De meet his two senior brothers face to face, so everyone could chat and grow closer.

However, when Saino arrived here,

just a few words in, he hit Luo De with an opening thunderbolt, almost scaring him to death, and almost freezing him to death.

"A cold joke that not even the Ice Element Vision can be immune to."

"It's hilarious."

Experiencing Saino's cold joke's power again, although it wasn't the first time, Luo De still felt an involuntary urge to shiver.

But whatever you fear will come.

Luo De had deliberately run this far just to avoid Saino, but he hadn't expected that, seeing he hadn't returned in a long time, this guy would actually track him down, pinpoint Luo De's exact location, and not give him a chance to escape.

"Senior Saino, I just need to wait here alone for Senior Tinari."

Luo De forced a tug at the corners of his mouth, trying to drive Saino back to the tavern.

But no matter what he said, Saino refused to leave, insisting on staying here to wait with him.

"Waiting alone is still waiting; waiting together is still waiting."

"Anyway, the teacher and Sage Nafis aren't here, so let's just wait together; plus we can have someone to chat with."

"It would be better if Saino didn't say that."

Now, upon hearing him say that, Luo De immediately got goosebumps all over.

Too terrifying!

Sai Nuo actually said he wanted me to keep him company and chat.

It's truly a blessing, not a disaster; if it's a disaster, you can't escape it!

Just like that.

I don't even know how long it's been.

The belated Tinari finally arrived, finding Luo De in his hopeless expression.

Luo De seemed to have seen a savior, immediately stepping forward to grab Tinari, saying repeatedly: 'Tinari senior brother, you've finally come; everyone's been waiting for you—hurry in!'

That 'senior brother' left Tinari stunned.

He immediately reacted, smiling and replying: 'I've heard about your matter, congratulations!'

It's not just because you helped me before; I still need to thank you.

Saying that, Luo De pulled him and hurried to Nafis's office.

Just in time.

While waiting for Tinari to arrive, Nafis and Gulles had already arrived.

Now everyone is here.

A gathering exclusively for the five master-disciples officially began.

This gathering was very lively.

Sai Nuo and Tinari both showed great enthusiasm toward this shared junior fellow disciple, but under Gulles and Sai Nuo's father-son mixed doubles, such enthusiasm always turned into chilling cold.

Nafis was the first who couldn't stand it.

He directly, without a word, grabbed Gulles's collar and forcibly poured alcohol into him, hard enough to make him collapse, not letting him utter a single cold joke before stopping.

Seeing this.

Sai Nuo also restrained himself considerably, at least allowing the gathering to proceed smoothly, so that not everyone would be unable to stop drinking.

But such liveliness didn't make Luo De forget the purpose of his visit.

Just as the gathering was reaching its end.

He, already somewhat drunk, took out a prepared document and solemnly handed it to Sai Nuo.

Huh?

What is this?

Since he still had to perform duties tomorrow, Sai Nuo didn't drink a drop today, only pouring drinks for others, thus he could be said to be the soberest person present.

After casually flipping through a few pages of the document Luo De handed him, his expression suddenly turned solemn.

After he finished reading it all.

His expression had already become unusually grim.

Is what's written here true?

Is Hafusai Hewantuo's academic report plagiarized from the scholar A De Ba Yi?

Academic plagiarism by a scholar of Hewantuo's stature.

If the evidence is solid, that would be a major scandal for the Academy, leaving a dark mark in its history.

Let me correct you.

Back then he should have been called Hafusai Tuoduo.

Right, A De Ba Yi, you should still remember, right?

Luo De swayed his finger and spoke a name that made Sai Nuo's face freeze.

That name seems not to be a pleasant memory for him.

He remained silent for a long time.

Then he sighed: 'Remember, how could I not remember? Every case I handled I remember clearly.'

Next.

He began to recall the scene of arresting A De Ba Yi back then.

It was largely the same as what A De Ba Yi said; the procedure was basically identical.

After receiving a report, they went to search, the evidence was solid, and he was sentenced to exile.

The only difference is,

I know A De Ba Yi was framed.

When he said that, Sai Nuo's expression was very unnatural.

Ah?

You know?

Now not only Luo De, but Tinari also became surprised.

The two spoke in unison, asking: 'Then why?'

Protect him.

Sai Nuo spoke out an unexpected reason.

Upon hearing those words.

Luo De and Tinari looked at each other, then frowned and asked: 'Protect him from what?'

Someone wants to harm him.

They want to put him to death.

Moreover, this behind-the-scenes black hand is very formidable.

When I investigated, I couldn't find any evidence about him; only when searching A De Ba Yi's place, combining his testimony and the accuser's accusation, did I vaguely sense this.

No.

It's not a vague feeling; I'm quite sure someone in the Academy wants him dead.

Moreover, I'm quite sure he's definitely been framed.

Given that there is no evidence favorable to him, I want to protect him from those people, so I can only send him to A Ru Cun, escorting him myself.

Cyno related everything that had happened back then in full detail.

Thus far.

Luo De finally understood the full circumstances of A De Ba Yi's exile.

Let's not mention his plagiarism for now.

Let's just talk about his exile.

Cyno's meaning is clear: he discovered someone wanted A De Ba Yi dead, and the mastermind left no trace, so without any evidence he could only choose the worst option—exile—and send A De Ba Yi to the relatively safer A Ru Cun.

From his words.

Luo De also learned another matter.

His expenses over these years—were they provided by you?

A De Ba Yi living in A Ru Cun lives well, with no worries about food or drink, and each month he can receive the Academy's subsidy, living more comfortably than when he was in the Academy.

Only today did Luo De learn.

What Academy subsidy?!

Azhaer would love to kill A De Ba Yi—how could he possibly give him a subsidy, letting him enjoy fine food and drink in a desert where even eating dirt is hard?

Those so-called Academy subsidies for exiles are actually all paid out of Cyno's own pocket, meant to compensate for the wrongful case he had no choice but to judge.

But speaking from the heart.

Is this Cyno's fault?

This can't be blamed on him either.

Moreover, if it weren't for Cyno's vigilance, A De Ba Yi would have died on the road to exile, let alone enjoying those comfortable days in A Ru Cun afterward.

'Azhaer!'

Luo De cursed bitterly in his heart.

That damned Great Sage.

Not dying is hardly enough to quell the people's anger.

Look at all the messed-up things he's done!

But now isn't the time to topple him; once Nadixa is free, it'll be time to settle old scores with him properly.

Hmph.

If I can't move Azhaer, can I still not move you, Hafusai?

After cursing Azhaer, Luo De turned his sights to the paper that had plagiarized A De Ba Yi back then, which caused him to lose time to that Tuoshaduo, delaying him even further for that Hebantu.

This is A De Ba Yi's indictment.

And there is the original paper that can serve as evidence.

After handing over all the evidence to Cyno, Luo De waited sternly for his reply.

Academic plagiarism.

This is also a serious crime in Sumeru.

If it can't be found, forget it.

Once it's found, it's far more than just exile.

Yet, in Luo De's hopeful gaze, Cyno shook his head again.

Evidence insufficient.

This still isn't enough!

Luo De immediately exploded, pointing at Cyno's nose and demanding: 'Do you think this case is too old, so you don't want to handle it? Well then, I misjudged you—I thought you were an upright law enforcement officer, but I didn't expect you to have this side.'

This time.

Answering Luo De wasn't Cyno, who was pointing at his nose, but Juleshi, who had sobered up at some point.

Today he was unlike usual, not wearing the Void Terminal, dressed casually, his gaze toward Luo De lacking its former severity, instead filled with affection for his juniors.

Child.

I know you mean well, wanting to speak up for your friend.

But you must know, everything requires evidence.

Especially since Hafusai has already been promoted to Hebantu, moving against him without solid evidence is impossible; instead, you and that A De Ba Yi kid would be charged with insulting knowledge for false accusation of a wise person.

Juleshi patted Luo De's shoulder and said earnestly: 'Don't blame your senior Cyno; as a Discipline Officer, facing this, he feels worse than you.'

Hearing that.

Luo De looked over.

As expected.

Cyno, holding that indictment, had an awful expression, his brows twisted like a knot, and he didn't even hear Juleshi speaking.

Luo De instantly understood Juleshi's meaning.

For Cyno, who takes as his life creed that 'wisdom must be bound by the Academy's decree to protect seekers' safety and maintain world peace,'

encountering such a situation where he clearly knows someone is damaging knowledge but cannot punish them, he indeed feels terrible inside.

Are we just supposed to watch him continue to roam free like this?

Luo De said through gritted teeth.

Not just for A De Ba Yi, but also indignant that justice cannot be served.

Of course——

I can't anymore.

This time, the speaker was Nafis.

Just see his eyes now clear, with no trace of drunkenness, just like Gulash; he also wasn't wearing the Void Terminal today, and when he looked at Luo De, he was likewise full of affection and admiration.

Quite obvious.

The two sages were just pretending to be drunk.

Luo De suddenly exclaimed, "Teacher, you?"

Hehe——

Silly child, do you think we wouldn't know about what that brat A De Ba Yi got up to?

Since you were taught by that brat.

If you don't help him clear his name at all, then we really misjudged you.

Nafis laughed heartily, patted Luo De's shoulder, and with a satisfied look said, "Not bad, you're quite good; we didn't misjudge you."

Luo De's lips twitched slightly.

He then looked at Tina Li, who was secretly stifling laughter there; at Sano, whose face had cleared from gloom; and at Gulash, who was holding a wine cup and gesturing to him.

He suddenly understood.

Today this wasn't just a gathering to meet fellow sect brothers.

But rather a test set up jointly by Nafis and Gulash for him.

They wanted to see what his character was really like, and whether he was worthy of them imparting all their lifelong learning.

You already knew, didn't you?

In his heart, Luo De let out a quiet sigh.

In the past, Nadixa would always say a few words to him, but after receiving the gathering notice today, she hadn't spoken at all.

At first Luo De thought she was busy researching that desert soil transformation topic and had no time to talk to him.

Now he realized.

Clearly, it was because Nadixa had long known that Nafis and Gulash would set up this test, in order to see what he would do, and therefore she deliberately remained silent.

We didn't misjudge you, right?

Nadixa's voice was incredibly lighthearted.

Like those two sages, she was also very satisfied with Luo De's performance in this matter.

Next time, remember to remind me.

I don't like this.

After saying that to Nadixa, Luo De withdrew his gaze, his expression inscrutable as he asked, 'Do you already have a solution?'

Hmm.

Nafis nodded: 'Over the years, reports of Hafse plagiarizing his students' papers have been increasing, and the Theory School here has also organized several reviews.'

But whenever Sano finds those students who reported him to gather evidence, as the victims they suddenly clam up, blaming everything on themselves no matter what is asked, using excuses like dissatisfaction with their mentor wanting to slander the mentor to vent, and in the end it always comes to nothing due to lack of evidence.

So we need someone bold enough to step forward and accuse Hafse, while also holding a student who possesses a completely new academic paper that the Academy has never seen.

His words fell.

Everyone turned their gaze to Luo De.

I understand.

Luo De, who perfectly met all conditions, did not retreat; instead he grinned, his spirits high, saying, 'I'll go prepare what's needed right away.'

(End of chapter)